Help Knysna's Skatepark Get Back On Its Wheels

FIRST, A DREAM WAS BORN

My husband Kevin has spent the past two years pouring a whole lot of passion and energy into building a skatepark in beautiful Knysna. We moved here in 2020 and, when Kev realised the lack of activities for kids, he used his personal savings to build a space that he hoped would bring fresh energy into the town and inspire kids in the same way skateboarding has always inspired him. As he often says, skateboarding saves lives. 

After a successful launch in December 2022, Boardroom Skatepark got off to a happy start, with plenty of kids and adults alike joining for skate sessions and lessons. Alongside this, he also made the interior of the skatepark an art space, creating murals with the kids and encouraging them to make their own artwork. He was in the process of arranging open days for those from less fortunate schools and communities, so that the joy of skateboarding could be shared with all. 

THEN, SOME DISASTER STRUCK

Unfortunately, only a few months later, a series of events has set things back to the point where Boardroom is in need of financial support in order to be able to keep going. 

In late March, his skate shop got broken into and his merchandise was stolen: boards, clothes, caps, beanies, decks etc. A few days later, Knysna suffered a severe storm and the front wall collapsed, destroying metres of wooden fencing and artwork.

NOW, PLEASE HELP KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE (AND GET A FREE SKATE SESSION IN RETURN)

Boardroom is now at a crossroads. Kevin would love to keep going and keep giving opportunities to our youth. He had created an environment where boys and girls could come together and make art and skate in a safe, fun space. And he was already seeing the difference it was making in some kids' lives. 

He doesn't want to give up but he needs some support to be able to restock and maintain the skatepark.  

I would like to ask for help from anyone who cares about skateboarding, kids and/or Knysna's community – to help encourage Kevin to keep going. Otherwise we will lose a much-loved and much-needed skatepark that he has created for us in our own backyard.

If he can get a bit of support, I know that he will put all his energy into making Boardroom an even more special place!

ALL SUPPORTERS WILL GET ONE FREE SKATE SESSION IN RETURN :)

HERE'S WHAT DONATIONS WILL GO TOWARDS:

• Replenishing the stock that was stolen from the store. This includes his original Boardroom clothing and skatedeck range, which he spent months creating and producing.
• Paint to restore the mural on the front wall (outside and inside)
• Shade cloth and poles to provide a bit of shade for skaters (it gets hot on those ramps!)
• Replacing and maintaining wood for the ramps, which get fairly battered by the coastal elements and need constant repair. He has two ramps: 16ft wide x 3ft high with 3.5ft extension; and a 16ft wide x 5ft ramp.

More info about Boardroom:

https://www.boardroom-knysna.com/

https://www.instagram.com/boardroom_knysna/?hl=en