4 Organizations Using Skateboarding to Transform Their Communities Across Africa

January 22, 2021

4 Organizations Using Skateboarding to Transform Their Communities Across Africa | Urban Limitrophe Podcast | www.urbanlimitrophe.com | #podcast #Africancities #urban #cities #skateboarding

While doing my research for the first episode of the podcast about skateboarding and its role in city and community building, I came across a few other organizations spread across the continent working hard to harness the power of skateboarding to empower their communities in a number of different ways.

Surf Ghana

Surf Ghana is based out of Accra, Ghana and uses a combination of skateboarding and surfing to engage communities across the country. The organization runs a variety of initiatives ranging from skate and surf tours to different major surf and skate spots in the region, to their Skate Gal Club that's focused on providing a safe environment for women to learn to sport. 

They're currently fundraising for the construction of Accra's first skatepark called The Freedom Skatepark which is certain to become a key community hub for both skateboarders and non-skateboarders alike. 

Click here to listen to the podcast interview with Surf Ghana's founder and click here to learn more about Surf Ghana's work.

Skateistan

Skateistan, is an organization that started in Kabul, Afghanistan that combines the power of skateboarding and education to empower youth in several locations around the world. They currently have Skate Schools in places as far as Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they offer not only skateboarding programming but a full-blown public school geared towards closing the educational gap for low-income youth and girls. They also provide youth leadership programming that through skill-building training and events help students to become the community leaders of tomorrow.

You can find out more about Skateistan's work here.

Ethiopia Skate

In 2016, Ethiopia Skate, in Addis Ababa, collaborated with volunteers from another non-profit organization that builds community skateparks across the world called Make Life Skate Life and created Addis Skatepark, Ethiopia’s first free-of-charge public skatepark as part of their mission of empowering youth. On top of creating vibrant skateboard spots where the community can experience and engage in the sport, Ethiopia Skate also helps to lessen the gap in access to board sports by providing skateboard equipment to youth. 

You can find out more about their work here.

Girls Skate South Africa

Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, Girls Skate South Africa uses skateboarding to support social development and empower girls to take up the often male-dominated sport. Additionally, they offer community-building workshops, skateboarding sessions, and host board drives to help expand access to the sport across the region.

You can find out more about their work here.

Freedom Skate Park: How You Can Support the Creation of Accra's First Skatepark

January 16, 2021
Freedom Skatepark: How You Can Support the Creation of Accra's First Skatepark | Urban Limitrophe Podcast | www.urbanlimitrophe.com | #podcast #Africancities #urban #cities #skateboarding


The Freedom Skatepark is on track to be the first skatepark in Accra, Ghana. This project is spearheaded by Surf Ghana, a non-profit based in Accra that uses board sports to empower youth across the country.  

With the skatepark and accompanying amenities, Surf Ghana hopes to create not only a safe space but an economic and community hub that will offer a place for the youth of Accra to play, work, learn, and engage with their peers and the broader community. 
 
But don't just take my word for it, watch this video below.



While the project is set to launch in 2021, the organization is still fundraising for the construction costs of the skatepark. Here are a few ways that you can help them achieve their goal of creating Accra's first skatepark.

Shop the Capsule Collection

Surf Ghana has teamed up with the two major clothing brands Off-White and Daily Paper to develop an exclusive capsule collection. The items are available on dailypaperclothing.com and all proceeds from the purchase go directly to supporting the construction of the Freedom Skate Park. 

Make sure to check it out before it is all sold out!

Shop Surf Ghana's Merch

Surf Ghana has teamed up with local artists and designers to provide a series of stickers, posters, T-shirts, bags, and yes, skateboards, that you can purchase. All of the proceeds go towards funding the creation of the skatepark, so make sure to check it out by clicking here

Donate

If your not interested in purchasing an item from the capsule collection, Surf Ghana is also accepting donations. Click here to learn more about the project and how you can donate to the cause.

Follow @surfghana on Instagram

Make sure to follow and engage with Surf Ghana on Instagram (@surfghana). Every like, share, and/or follow helps to amplify the reach of their amazing work. 


To learn more about the organization, make sure to visit their website www.surfghana.org and/or tune in to my interview with Sandy, the founder of Surf Ghana!

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Episode 1: How Surf Ghana is Building the First Skatepark in Accra

January 16, 2021

Episode 1: How Surf Ghana is Building the First Skatepark in Accra, Ghana | Urban Limitrophe Podcast | www.urbanlimitrophe.com | #podcast #Africancities #urban #cities #skateboarding


In this episode, I discuss a bit about the role of skateboarding and skateparks in city building. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Sandy Alibo, the founder of Surf Ghana, a non-profit based in Accra, Ghana that transforms its communities by bringing youth together using the power of skateboarding and surfing. 

In this episode, you'll learn about:

  • Surf Ghana's Freedom Skate Park and the highly anticipated Daily Paper and Off White capsule collection,
  • Surf Ghana's Skate Gal Club,
  • what a skate-friendly Accra looks like to Sandy
  • and much more!

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