Skateboarders hope to inspire future Olympians

A group of skateboarding enthusiasts are hoping a festival this weekend could uncover the Olympic skateboarders of the future.

Skaters from Birmingham Skate Spaces (BSS), a community interest community (CIC), are taking part in the tenth B-Side Hip-Hop Festival on Saturday.

It is the group's first appearance at the festival - but director Berni Good says it makes perfect sense.

"Skateboarding, and graffiti, and hip-hop, all kind of sit side by side with each other," she explained.

Organised by the Birmingham Hippodrome and other creative groups, the festival includes graffiti classes, dance battles, basketball and music.

The centrepiece of BSS' stand is a mini ramp, which has been built specially for the festival.

It is modular, meaning it can be taken apart and set up elsewhere for future events.

Its construction was funded by a grant from the governement's Shared Prosperity Fund and used as an opportunity to mentor 10 young people, who helped build it.

"So these young people who weren't necessarily in employment, education or training came along... and we equipped them with skills that they could then [use to] go out and seek employment," said Ms Good.

BSS says on its website it aims to improve "the wellbeing, cultural prosperity and health of Birmingham by building outdoor and indoor skateparks".

Ms Good said skateboarding was also effective at allowing young people to feel part of a community and giving them a safe space in which to socialise.

Its skate part at Bournbrook - which two years ago was saved from closure - was built entirely by volunteers.

"When you put your blood, sweat and tears into something, you have more of a sense of ownership of it," said Ms Good. "You're learning the skill, but you are also owning and being part of a community."

On Saturday, the mini ramp will be set up outside the Hippodrome, where coaches from Skateboard GB will be giving free lessons - with all equipment provided - before professional skateboarders put on a demonstration.

Ms Good cites Bombette Martin - the first skateboarder to compete in the Olympics, and who grew up partly in Birmingham - as an example of what can be achieved by young people.

"It's all about inspiring people to get on the board, show them how to do it and give them the ability to participate in this wonderful sport - that is now in the Olympics," she said.

"There's no reason why we can't have some Brummies rocking up at the Olympics in the future."

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