Ugandan Skatepark
May 18, 2010 4:07 AM Subscribe
A photoset of the first Ugandan skatepark. Built by kids in Kitintale, a working-class suburb of Kampala, without government help or support of any organisation, the skateboard park has become an unexpected focus for a community.
Ah, hell yeah. The Ugandans are gonna kick total skateboard ass, you just watch.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:39 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:39 AM on May 18, 2010
More than most local kids could get off their asses and achieve. Good for them.
posted by dowcrag at 5:50 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by dowcrag at 5:50 AM on May 18, 2010
How terribly sad that they have to enclose it with barbed wire.
posted by Camofrog at 6:40 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by Camofrog at 6:40 AM on May 18, 2010
I love how they had to put a net around it to keep the goats out. AWESOME!
posted by snsranch at 7:19 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by snsranch at 7:19 AM on May 18, 2010
Previous discussion, with the Uganda Skateboard Union's BOARDMASTER: THE MOVIE!!
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:25 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:25 AM on May 18, 2010
That's really cool! I wish there was more background on how it was built. It's way more well made than I was thinking it would be before I clicked on the link. Also, I didn't see any barbed wire -- just regular old fence to keep the goats out. And, skaters look the same all over the world.
posted by bluefly at 7:25 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by bluefly at 7:25 AM on May 18, 2010
Should have previewed! Ask and ye shall receive on Metafilter.
posted by bluefly at 7:27 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by bluefly at 7:27 AM on May 18, 2010
I always said that Twinkies and Snickers bars were the downfall of the Soviet Union -- once people saw little human comforts on the other side of the fence, it wasn't long before they wanted the same.
By the same token, here's hoping that skateboarding lights a spark in Uganda. Tony Hawk will save the lives that UNICEF can't.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:06 AM on May 18, 2010
By the same token, here's hoping that skateboarding lights a spark in Uganda. Tony Hawk will save the lives that UNICEF can't.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:06 AM on May 18, 2010
I don't skateboard, but damn if looking at that photoset didn't give me goosebumps. That's just awesome.
posted by hippybear at 8:22 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by hippybear at 8:22 AM on May 18, 2010
It's so weird to see the stylish clothes and nice skate shoes juxtaposed against the shanties and goats. I'm happy for these people. Though I confess my heart skipped a beat when I saw the guy in picture 4 skating on dirt. Won't somebody please think of the bearings?!
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:03 AM on May 18, 2010
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:03 AM on May 18, 2010
Teenage boys in Uganda somehow got together and built themselves a beautiful skateboard park.
Teenage Boys of the World! Build a Skateboard Park! Unite! Somehow! Beautifully!
posted by drogien at 2:41 PM on May 18, 2010
Teenage Boys of the World! Build a Skateboard Park! Unite! Somehow! Beautifully!
posted by drogien at 2:41 PM on May 18, 2010
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A skateboard community where there's no pavement is very odd. Interesting to see what tricks they come up with.
You better make that ollie over the goat - a fire hydrant is not forgiving, but at least it won't chase you.
posted by charles kaapjes at 4:19 AM on May 18, 2010 [1 favorite]