Latest news with #skatepark
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Memories of Bristol's Motion as it closes after almost two decades
It can often be underestimated how much impact a nightclub can have on a town or out as a skatepark in Bristol in 2003, Motion started putting on club nights three years later (with the skate ramps forming part of the dancefloor), before it became a full-time nightclub and music venue in has since hosted some of the world's biggest when its lease expires this weekend, Motion will close its doors at the warehouse it has called home for almost 20 years for the final owners are hoping Motion will be able to reopen at another site in the city, but to many, the city centre warehouse holds almost two decades-worth of asked DJs and clubbers to tell us about some of those special moments. Eats Everything, DJ & producerMy favourite memory of Motion is doing the [Radio 1] Essential Mix live. It was me, Calvin Harris and Pete Tong and I was just becoming successful at the like, you're doing an Essential Mix live from your hometown club and it's like what?! What?!Dan (Motion's managing director) lent me decks. I didn't have any CDJs at home, so he lent me four CDJs.I practiced and I practiced - I never plan anything ever - and I planned it meticulously, beat for beat and it worked perfectly and it still sounds good still makes my heart melt whenever I think about it.[Motion] holds a big place in my heart. Jenna Todd Jones[I've had] so many great times. But my very first time going, me and my mate got our photo taken up front and it was published in a Bristol mag that week. I'd only been in the city a few months it felt like the most incredible thing ever. I'd never even been in a club before I felt like the coolest kid in town.I also remember a friend got one of their first gigs at Motion and were on first of the night so was unlikely to have a crowd. [It] felt like the entire psychology department headed down there to party with him in the tunnel, I'll never forget his face looking up to suddenly find 20 familiar faces dancing to his that first time we'd won a competition to get to the VIP lounge above the stage, I remember sitting with DJ Yoda like 'what is my life?!' Obviously no club night was quite as good after that. James Threlfall, skateboarder & BBC presenterIt was funny for me to go from skating at Motion as a kid, to then having a crossover of skating and partying at Motion, and then obviously it became just partying when the skatepark side of things closed for it to become solely a it offered two passions of mine at different points in my life is amazing and I guess part of its legacy is that different people and generations are likely to have unique perspectives on how Motion impacted them. Graciela SotoWhen I went to see Marlon Hoffstadt it was my first time visiting Motion and oh my God I will never forget it. I have been out many times in the past 10 years but the energy I felt in that crowd was something else; everyone was dancing with each other and smiling. It was like if you were in a magical forest surrounded by lovely people. The music was very fun too and I really enjoyed the rare to have a crowd so invested in the show that everyone sings, it was beautiful.I don't remember the last time I felt so much harmony in a rave. Dan Wild, resident DJ and Just Jack founding memberThe early days of Motion were very special. The area wasn't as developed as it now so we could have music on the terrace all night, with no-one to complain. It had a raw hedonistic feel. With the derelict Post Office building opposite it had this dystopian, industrial, Berlin vibe. One morning, with the sun rising, sound-tracked to deep trippy house, someone took all their clothes off, dived off the terrace into the canal, a quick swim to the other side and he ran off completely starkers into the distance, to a load of cheers from the crowd. When we packed up the club at the end of the night, his clothes were still on the terrace. I could only imagine him still running round Bristol naked somewhere in the euphoric state he lots that go into making parties special, but people forget, the most important thing is the crowd, that's what made those parties incredible. Dan Deeks, managing director of Motion A real special memory for me is the night that Eats Everything did his [Radio One] Essential had Pete Tong on that night and we also had Calvin Harris. That for me was a real quite special about this club is we don't have any VIP like to think that we're not like big clubs in Ibiza where you can pay to get a booth or a treated equally. It's a diverse mix of events and some of them are very Bristol centric. That's what really makes it special for me, is Bristol as a city and the people that come here. Carly Heath, Bristol night time economy advisor and former music promoterWinning the Red Bull Culture Clash with Gutterfunk was a significant on Subloaded here and having the most amazing bass sound system to support it, that was a more recently seeing Gardna do his Gardna and Friends show in the Marble a lad that had come through from being in the tunnel, being in the cave, going up to the main stage then having his own party - this place is really special and it's been here so long now that it's like multigenerational too many good memories to share. Conal KellyIt was 2022. Me and a couple of friends went down to Love Saves the Day [festival].We got absolutely drenched, so drenched, so grumpy, couldn't get the bus home, so we were stuck walking through the rain for an hour to get got home, ordered a curry, we were pretty grumpy, and then realised that DJ Seinfeld was playing at Motion so, last minute, bought tickets, went down and managed to turn it around and had one of the best nights we've had. We're still talking about it was awesome. Very, very, very sad that it's closing. Summer BolithoI've always been huge fan of Eats Everything - Bristol icon and lucky to know Dan! Me and my partner Mace officially met 10 years ago but our paths reconnected and we got together at Eats Everything's New Year's Eve is a staple of Bristol culture and has been for the past 10 years. A true loss to see it go, but looking forward to making new memories at Motion 2.0 Bateman, DJI've been fortunate enough to play four times now. One year after the other. And a year on from that, I played it again for their last-ever free party and once more for a Lockyard session. I'd been dreaming of playing this monster since I was 14, and to have played it four times now is just incredible. Cannot put it into owns a piece of my heart that will disappear with it. Pete GizauskasCraig Richards playing two gigs in one night - one in a special secret toilet party that you had to access through a hidden entrance (wink wink) and then playing a surprise set in the main room afterwards. The secret room was decorated with huge taps, rubber ducks and toilet seats hanging from the ceilingBoth were absolute masterclasses from a legend in the UK rave sceneIt was brilliant. The Scribes, Bristol-based bandSupported MF Doom there, was crazy seeing the man himself in was one of The Scribes' first big support slots so we were very excited, and we all loved MF Doom.I remember being mind-blown just by the fact he was in the building, and Motion was the perfect place; just the right amount of grimey for the crowd to really get down.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘It gets kids off their phones': Malaysian skateboarders ride the generational wave together
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — At 8am on a Sunday morning, the Converse Skatepark in Kajang, Malaysia's oldest, built in 1994, is glistening with a post-rain sheen. Former national skater Mariss Khan was already there, mop in hand, preparing the park not just for his three sons, but for anyone who wanted to ride. 'Yo bro, lemme get back to you ya? I got to change, I had to come and mop the floors cause it was raining last night,' he quipped, running back to his home nearby. By 9.30am, the park was slowly coming alive. Among the early visitors were two families — first timers — each drawn here by something increasingly common: a renewed interest in skateboarding, powered by social media, nostalgia, and shifting cultural perceptions. Putra Nor Afiq, 34, brought his son on rollerblades and his daughter on a skateboard. 'I'd let them try new things, but since we were nearby and this place is decent, as long as you monitor who they're talking to and mix with, you're ok,' he said. Mer Nullah wants to see more competitions and indoor skate parks in the future. He says skateboarding is becoming as popular as football and growing. — Picture by Sayuti Zanudin Nearby, another family introduced their energetic six-year-old son Ayden to the ramps. He had started with a scooter, but they thought skating might push him further. 'You know, skating teaches you how to be motivated. You drop, you get up again. You can learn how to push yourself and overcome your fears,' said the father, Bazli. Mer Habeebullah locking into a grind when 'Malay Mail' dropped by the park. — Picture by Sayuti Zanudin Mariss' three sons Muhammad Mer Nullah Khan, 15, Muhammad Mer Habeebullah Khan, 12, and Muhammad Mer Zikrullah Khan, 9 soon took over the park, executing complex tricks with surprising ease. Mer Nullah, the eldest, is already competing internationally. Fluent in Mandarin, he studies at SMJK Yu Hua and sees skateboarding becoming part of Malaysia's youth fabric. 'It's something that everyone is used to. Like football. 'A lot of people are skating now but there aren't as many big names as last time and my idol is still my dad, he encouraged me to skate,' he said. 'There are few indoor skate parks so maintenance for outdoor ones is high, and if it rains you can't do much.' From misfit to mainstream Mariss said that despite the growing numbers the local scene still lacks depth, structure and long-term vision. 'You can see skaters everywhere, parks are full but where are the good skateboarders, where's the talent? There's visible interest but not much meaningful development. 'Competitions abroad are also very uncertain. They'll plan it with the date and all that then cancel at the last minute. The kids can't get exposure. Most kids now just skate and post tricks on TikTok, not training for contests nor pushing their limits,' he said. Mariss stressed that skateboarding isn't one dimensional and that's both its strength and challenge. Mariss Khan says the sport needs development and stars. — Picture by Sayuti Zanudin 'There are contest skaters, video skaters and hobby skaters. Then there are the street guys and people who hate the Olympics. Skateboarding is all of that. It's not a sport, it's a character,' he added. Gone are the days when skaters were viewed as rebels or dropouts. The parents of today, many of whom grew up watching X-Games legends like Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist and the Yasutoko brothers on TV now bring their own children to skateparks across the Klang Valley. At AU5 Skatepark in Keramat, Malay Mail spotted a handful of skate enthusiasts making the most of the night. One stood out — effortlessly pulling off complex tricks under the glow of floodlights. That skater was Azzam Syafiq, 33, a late bloomer who picked up the sport at 17, long after most of his friends had given it up. 'I was decent at basketball too but preferred skateboarding as it's just you. You can do it by yourself. I like doing my own thing.' The stigma around skating, Azzam said, is fading fast. 'Quite different now. You'll see at events small kids, teenagers, 20-, 30-, 40-year-olds all competing or watching. It used to be just kids. But he admits it's harder to break into the public eye. 'Now, if you don't actively look for it on TikTok, Instagram and all that, the algorithm doesn't pump it out to you. And the lack of big stars doesn't help. They're not as noticeable as the legends. People are still on Tony Hawk. He had the video game too and that cemented him as non-skaters also know him. 'We don't have that kind of star power now but the sport is definitely getting more popular,' he added. Azzam recently made a documentary of his competitive trip to Germany shedding light on the 'street' category of skating that prioritises freedom of expression and artistic value. The video also documents his journey to Europe and what it takes to compete, prize money, camaraderie and the culture. Mer Habeebullah performing some complex tricks when 'Malay Mail' visited the park. — Picture by Sayuti Zanudin Councils catching up The rise in visibility is being met with real infrastructure. More councils are commissioning skateparks, not just in urban centres but in residential areas. In Putrajaya, a second skatepark is being built in Precinct 4 by month's end. Malay Mail caught up with Padin Musa, 49, aka Ahmad Fadzil Musa, former two-time X-Games Asia champion, who's helped design over 20 parks across the country. 'Now a lot of councils want to build skateparks, even small ones in residential areas,' Padin said. 'One reason is to get the kids off the streets, that's why they're building the new park to give them a proper space to skate.' He credits skateboarding's inclusion in the Olympics since 2020 for widening its reach, but says the soul of skating remains rooted in culture, not competition. 'Skateboarding is fun whether or not you go to the Olympics. It builds your character. You don't need a football field, you can start skating in front of your house, even in your school uniform. 'Even though it has been brought into the Olympics, I still feel most do it for fun. Either way, skating teaches you perseverance to fall and keep trying,' he said. Skating's charm lies in its affordability and sense of community. You don't need fancy gear or a proper arena — just a board, some concrete, and the grit to fall and get back up. At nine, Mer Zikrullah can already pull off tricks with a high degree of difficulty. — Picture by Sayuti Zanudin While competitions exist, skating seems more of a community event. As one parent Ahmad Taufique at the AU5 skatepark said: 'It's like a whole body workout too. Your mind has to be focused or you can't balance. Then once you can balance you push your body and mind to do tricks. 'When you nail it, it's great, if you fail and automatically get up and try again, you've now learnt what a struggle means and what it feels like to accomplish something difficult. 'Most importantly, it gets the kids off their damn phones,' he said. Since skateboarding was part of the Olympics only two nations have won gold medals — Japan with five and Australia with three. There are only four medals up for grabs which are organised into two distinct styles: Street and Park, with separate competitions for men and women in each. It will next be featured at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Klang Valley skate spots you can check out: AU5 Keramat Skatepark, Ampang Converse Skatepark Kajang, Selangor Skatepark Titiwangsa, KL Putrajaya Challenge Park, Precinct 5 Urban Skate Plaza, Jalan Ampang Skatepark Bukit Kiara, KL Heritage Valley, Chow Kit Arena Skatepark PJ, Petaling Jaya Skate Park @ Taman Sri Gombak, Batu Caves One Utama Skatepark Paramount Skatepark, Taman Sea Andalas DIY Skatepark, Klang Lake Point Skatepark, Seksyen 35 Shah Alam Mini Skatepark, MyTown Padin Musa (left) with Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim. — Picture via Facebook/Padin Musa
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Waverley Council approves £650k Cranleigh skate park plans
A "much-needed" new skate park is to be built in a Surrey after a local authority backed spending nearly £650,000 in developer money on the Borough Council unanimously approved the plans to replace the current out-dated facility in Cranleigh Leisure Centre at a meeting on new funding will be used to purchase land for the skate park as well as its Borough Council portfolio holder for planning Liz Townsend said the skate park had been "long anticipated and will be a much-needed and necessary upgrade". She added the park would be an "important addition to recreational facilities in Cranleigh and the surrounding villages which have experienced significant development over the past few years".Planning permission was given in March 2025 to replace the leisure centre, including tearing down the old skate details surrounding the project are still being kept confidential – including where it will be built, according to the Local Democracy Reporting project will be fully funded by contributions from developers through Section 106 funding and money from the Community Infrastructure Townsend added: "There is a huge amount of interest in the project already and its design."There are some extremely enthusiastic future users of this facility."The new skate park represents a fantastic opportunity to build a new and existing community space on a new site."Leader of the opposition Jane Austin added the new skate park was "really great for Cranleigh".
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Marlborough council approves $72k upgrade to Blenheim Skate Park
Kira Carrington, Local Democracy Reporter Mayor Nadine Taylor says better shading and lighting at Blenheim Skate Park is a matter of safety. Photo: Marlborough Express / LDR New lighting, shade and a mural is on the way for Blenheim Skate Park. The Marlborough District Council has approved $72,000 for the upgrades, which were requested by the recently established Skate Marlborough organisation in the 2024 Long Term Plan. The lighting improvements would allow skaters to safely use the park after dark, and shading, including two cantilever umbrellas, would help the skaters through hot Marlborough summers. Mayor Nadine Taylor supported the request, saying that shading and lighting were safety precautions. "Light and shade, they're not nice-to-haves, they're safety improvements," Taylor said. Photo: "They also improve the usability of the space so we get the double benefits." Funding for the upgrades would come from the council's $1.5m Land Subdivision Reserve, a levy charged to property developers for increased use of parks and open spaces. Councillor David Croad said the skate park improvements would provide a more welcoming space for young people. "We've got three items that are there to be funded... It's a modest amount of money that comes out of reserves," Croad said. "We often hear about there needing to be more for youth to do. "I'm really happy people continue to ask for vibrancy and colour in our community and what better place to put it, in a place like this? Council will work with Skate Marlborough when they review the Skatepark's equipment in 2026. Photo: Aimee Payne/ Skate Marlborough "The recent upgrade in Picton, I get down here a lot and it is always in high, high use." In 2024, the Picton Skate Park on Auckland St received upgrades, including a new halfpipe and grind boxes. Skate Marlborough, in its submission to council, said the Picton upgrades had transformed the space into a "thriving hub for skaters of all ages and skill levels". "The recent upgrades ... have proven that when you invest in quality community spaces, people show up," the submission said. "We've especially loved watching more young wāhine aged 8-13 take to the park, gaining confidence and connection through skateboarding." "We want to see this transferred to Blenheim Skate Park." Skate Marlborough said that while the Horton St skate park already had consistent growth in use, the upgrades would draw in more people. The skate park had not had any upgrades since 2017, when council put $60,000 towards new equipment. Parks and open spaces manager Jane Tito said that council staff were planning to work with Skate Marlborough, young people, and the park users when they reviewed the skate park equipment in 2026. "That review is really more around the assets, the jumps and features of the skate park rather than the sort of fundamental shading," Tito said. Croad praised Skate Marlborough for its proactive approach in supporting the growth of the sport in the region. "I applaud the group for coming together and their presentation [for the] LTP last year. It's what we want from [long term plans]," Croad said. "I really also am encouraged by the fact that they want to go and seek sponsorship and raise money to do other things as well." - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- BBC News
Boy, 14, assaulted at Mablethorpe skate park
Police are appealing for information after a 14-year-old boy was assaulted at a skate park in said the boy was kicked and punched by another teenager during the attack on Friday Nathan Price said it was an "awful" incident and the victim was "lucky to have walked away with injuries that he'll recover from".Lincolnshire Police said it is thought about 30 people were present at the Quebec Road site but none had come forward to speak. PC Price said: "Sadly, of all the people in the area at the time, not one has talked to us or proactively given us any information."That's a crying shame because we really need to investigate the exact details of this incident and hold those to account who need to be," he officer also appealed to parents to get in touch with police."Was your child in the skatepark on Friday night? If so, it's likely they saw this incident," he said."Please talk to your son or daughter and encourage them to talk to us. If the situation was reversed, we are sure that any parent would want to see the person who harmed their child held to account."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
