Central Coast Council will host a line-up of freestyle skate, BMX, scooter and WCMX (wheelchair) events in the first quarter of 2019, continuing its commitment to provide multi-use skate park facilities for the benefit of the community.

Council are involved in a number of freestyle riding events that cover all ages and experience levels, and provide an opportunity to identify and showcase local talent and also attract premium riders from around Australia.

Some of these 2019 events include:

• 19 January - Australian Skateboarding League: NSW State Qualifier 2019, BATO Yard, Bateau Bay
• 1 February - Bowl Groms workshops, Banjo’s Skate Park, Terrigal (girls only and beginners workshops)
• 2 February - King of Concrete 2019, BATO Yard, Bateau Bay
• 23 February - Central Coast Series: Heat 1 (CCS is a skate, scooter and BMX competition held at various locations across the Central Coast), Wadalba Skate Park
• 22 March - Bowl Groms workshops, BATO Yard, Bateau Bay (girls intermediate only and competition skills workshops)
• 23 March - YMCA Skate Park League, BATO Yard, Bateau Bay
• 9 March - Central Coast Series: Heat 2 (skate, scooter, BMX competition), Umina Skate Park
• 13 April - Central Coast Series: Heat 3 and Final (skate, scooter, BMX competition), BATO Yard, Bateau Bay
• 27 April - King of Street, The ASF Australian Championships of Street, BATO Yard

Mayor Jane Smith said as freestyle riding increases in popularity, especially with skateboarding now in the 2020 Olympics, so does the demand for high quality facilities and events for these sports.

“Council is committed to providing our community with skate parks and designated areas to accommodate all ages, levels and a variety of freestyle riding,” Mayor Smith said.

“These facilities provide a safe and purpose built environment for our local riders to develop their skills and offer numerous physical and mental health benefits for all users.

“These positive events and facilities also boost tourism on the Coast and place our facilities as destinations for world class skate, BMX and scooter competitions and events, which benefit the community and local businesses.”

Council currently manages 24 skate parks on the Central Coast, all with varying features and cater to a range of skill levels.

In July 2018, Council officially opened Banjo’s Skate Park in Terrigal which has been very popular with children of all ages and families enjoying the park and foreshore area. Plans are currently underway to upgrade the skate park at Umina and develop a new freestyle riding facility at Lake Munmorah, with both projects undertaking community consultation to guide plans and design concepts.

UPCOMING EVENTS

On 2 February, ‘King of Concrete’ is the premier State and National bowl series which will see some of the best riders around Australia grind the Big Bowl at BATO Yard.

The peak ‘Australian Skating Federation Championship Series Street event, the ‘Australian Championships of Street Skateboarding 2019’, will be held at BATO Yard on 27 April.

The annual ‘Central Coast Series’ will return to the coast in 2019. The skate, scooter and BMX competition will be held at Wadalba skate park on 23 February 2019 (heat 1), Umina skate park on 9 March 2019 (Heat 2) and BATO Yard on 13 April (Heat 3 and Final). Entry is open to ages 5 to 24.

‘Bowl Groms’ is a series of workshops for young people with varying levels of experience, which will be held at Banjo’s Skate Park on 1 February and BATO Yard on 22 March.

Other Council supported events include the ‘Australian Skateboarding League: NSW State Qualifier 2019’ on 19 January and the ‘YMCA Skate Park League’ on 23 March, both at BATO Yard.

Event information will be listed in advance on Central Coast Council’s website