Skating might not be the first activity associated with enhancing mental wellbeing, but for 20-year-old Jay Blair, it’s a significant part of its appeal.
“Sometimes going for a skate is less about the actual skating and more about clearing my head and relaxing. I find more and more people like me are using it to boost their mental health,” Jay explained.
With youth mental health on the decline, outdoor social activities like skating have a lot to offer. Jivan Kumar, 21, emphasizes that beyond the obvious physical benefits, skating is about community and connection.
“Skating for me is a way to connect with mates. It’s a creative outlet and a way to make art together in various forms. It gives purpose to my daily life. I’ve never met a community more accepting of me,” Jivan shared.
For Jay, the inclusive vibe of the Pōneke skate community makes finding someone to skate with as simple as sending a message in the group chat.
“I don’t know everyone in my skate group chat very well, but thanks to that group, I can always skate in the city and meet up with new friends,” Jay said.
While both Jivan and Jay enjoy skateparks, they advocate for more diverse skating options throughout Pōneke. Jivan believes in the importance of having multiple spaces for skaters.
“Skateparks are great, but it would be awesome to have more public places across the city designed with skaters in mind. Places to skate, meet up, hang out, and create content,” Jivan noted.
This year’s We Skate Pōneke campaign focused on promoting street skating with three pop-up skate installations at Queens Wharf, Te Ngākau Civic Square, and the Michael Fowler Carpark.
These pop-up ramps have been relocated to a school in Kilbirnie, allowing more young people to experience skating for the first time. Takapū/Northern Ward Councillor Ben McNulty supports initiatives like We Skate.
“We need positive outlets for youth, and skating fits the bill nicely given its physical, social, and creative aspects. Encouraging skating through low-cost initiatives and providing something for our tamariki to do is an absolute no-brainer,” McNulty stated.
