Docklands is a skating hot spot

Docklands, it seems, is a skateboarder’s paradise.

As soon as the sun comes out, so do the skaters and with the recent warm weather, Docklands has become a skateboarding mecca.  

But what makes Docklands such a popular spot amongst the skateboarding community?

According to Tim Honey, 20, and Jono Wallace, 21, it’s the combination of open, flat space and the lack of crowds, which make Docklands the preferred skateboarding destination over the CBD.

Jono said the flat space in Docklands allowed skaters to do flat land trips such as kick-flips, ollies and aerial kick-flips.

Tim added that Docklands also had plenty of banks and ledges to do tricks on.

The pair estimated that you might find up to 100 skateboarders scattered throughout Docklands on a nice day.

And Docklands isn’t just a hot spot for street skaters. The Shocklands Pro/Am skating competition was held at Shed 4 in Docklands last year.

According to Tim and Jono, skateboarders in Docklands generally have free rein as long as they avoid NewQuay, where security guards discourage people from skateboarding.

Jono said he could understand this due to the shops and restaurants in the area.

Although strict, Jono said most security guards in NewQuay were good at dealing with skaters.

According to Jono, the behaviour of skaters who gave security guards trouble was unnecessary.

“Its not about that, it’s about skating and having a good time,” Jono said.

“I don’t understand people who get into fights about skating. It’s their property, if they ask you to move, you move,” he said.

According to Tim and Jono, most locals and visitors didn’t mind skateboarders using the area.

“Earlier, we had a couple of people who stopped to watch. If you stay out of their way people don’t seem to mind too much,” Jono said.

Tim agreed and said the atmosphere in Docklands was “pretty cool”.

“It’s peaceful,” Tim said.