Guestpost by Elly Kirsch
On August 31, 2024, it finally happened: the first nationwide Surfskate Day Festival took place at the 2er Skatepark in Hanover. Surfskaters from Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Berlin, and Hanover came together to skate, exchange ideas, and celebrate. Under the motto “You Never Surfskate Alone,” networking was at the heart of the event, and the enthusiasm could be felt in every corner of the festival.
The 2er Skatepark in Hanover – A Unique Location
The choice of location was no coincidence. The 2er Skatepark in Hanover, a fully self-built facility, offered the perfect venue for the event. The private skatepark stands out due to its unique design and features evening lighting, ensuring optimal conditions even after sunset. Right next to the skatepark is the Platzprojekt, which provides space for camping – including sanitary facilities for several hundred people. In addition to the free use of the facility, the 2er Skatepark association also provided a bar. This sense of community and support reflected the spirit of the Surfskate Community Roadtrip Hanover.
Surfskate Training for Every Skill Level
The main focus of the festival was on surfskating itself. The Surfskate Community NRW and girlsturn from Hanover organized a diverse training program for all skill levels, ensuring both beginners and advanced skaters could enjoy the experience. Beginners were offered a special training session to learn the basics of surfskating, while advanced participants could develop their skills further in drop-in sessions, frontside and backside snaps, and bowl training. The atmosphere was marked by mutual support and motivation – typical for surfskate communities where no one is left behind.
Creative Workshops and DIY Spirit
Alongside the sporting activities, there were also creative workshops that were self-organized. Particularly popular was the DIY Community Shirt Print workshop, where participants could design their own shirts using various community logos. Another highlight was the tattoo workshop by Ian Antoro, founder of the Surfskate Community Hamburg, who offered hand-poked tattoos on-site. Participants not only improved their skating skills but also took home a lasting memory of this special day.
Party and DJs from All Regions
After a day full of sporting highlights, the event ended with a communal BBQ party. Each region contributed at least one DJ, creating a diverse lineup that showcased the variety and creativity of the surfskate scene. The celebration continued late into the night, with dancing and laughter — a fitting end to a successful festival. Many thanks to all the DJs for their amazing Beats: Börna, Simon Gassen, Fin & Stanley und ThePartyNerd.
A Festival with Heart and Community Spirit
The festival was not only a sporting event but also an expression of unity and solidarity within the scene. Throughout the day, donations were collected to cover technical and other incidental costs. A total of €462.80 was raised and donated as a thank-you to the 2er Skateboard e.V..
A Huge Success and a Promising Future
With over 100 registrations and 70 active surfskaters from different regions of Germany, the first Surfskate Day Festival in Hanover was a complete success. The organizers are thrilled and are already planning to repeat the event next year—possibly as a two-day festival.
The Day Festival not only broadened the skateboarding horizon in Germany but also demonstrated that the surfskate communities across the country are well-connected. Willingness to travel within the scene is growing, and many participants have already planned future meetups and visits. Surfskating in Germany is now more of a community experience than ever before – “You Never Surfskate Alone!”
Surfskate Hamburg Community
Surfskate NRW
Surfskate Berlin
Girlsturn
About Elly Kirsch
Elly Kirsch is a Community Manager of the Surfskate Community Hamburg. She has been volunteering for the community since 2021. From regular skate events and various collab projects to content & social media, the Surfskate Hamburg Community is a project close to Elly's heart.
Leave a comment