Mount Maunganui’s Destination Skatepark is set to welcome some of New Zealand’s top skateboarders for the Skateboard Nationals competition next year.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale expressed excitement about the event, scheduled for March, highlighting its significance for the city. “This premier event for New Zealand’s skateboarding community will bring numerous benefits to the region and inspire the next generation of local skateboarders,” he stated.
Drysdale emphasized that hosting national and international events like this attracts thousands of visitors to Tauranga, allowing the city and the wider Bay of Plenty to showcase their offerings.
Tauranga Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular, who also serves as a councillor for Mauao/Mount Maunganui, praised the city’s excellent skate facilities. She noted that the destination skatepark has been thriving since its opening in May, along with the recently upgraded vert ramp in Blake Park. “We’re thrilled to host the country’s top skateboarders in the heart of Mount Maunganui,” Scoular said.
The destination skatepark has gained popularity among skaters of all levels from across New Zealand. Scoular expressed hope for more events like this in the future.
The Skateboard Nationals will feature competitions in three disciplines: park, street, and vert skateboarding. The event typically attracts over 100 competitors across various age groups. Sonia Griffin, chairwoman of Skateboarding New Zealand, described the nationals as an annual highlight for the skateboarding community.
“The Skateboard Nationals are a fantastic way to unite skaters,” Griffin said. She announced that next year’s event would include an Under-13 division, aiming to encourage broader participation and showcase diverse talent within the sport.
Griffin attributed skateboarding’s growing popularity to its inclusion in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and increased government investment in skate facilities that promote skateboarding as a positive youth activity.
“Local, regional, and national competitions are essential for fostering skateboarding’s growth in New Zealand and provide a platform for emerging skaters aspiring to compete internationally,” she added.
“High-quality facilities like those in Mount Maunganui are crucial for opening doors to global competition and promoting a more active Aotearoa.”
She described Destination Skatepark as one of the most innovative facilities in the country. Community trust TECT was among those that funded the new skatepark. Chairman Mark Arundel noted that hosting the Skateboard Nationals would highlight both the skatepark and the region on a national level.
“Bringing the Skateboard Nationals to Tauranga will stimulate the local economy through increased spending on accommodation, dining, and activities,” Arundel stated. He highlighted that Destination Skatepark promotes outdoor activity and social connections while helping individuals build confidence, self-discipline, and perseverance within a supportive community.
The Skateboard Nationals are scheduled for March 28-29, 2025, and are expected to draw hundreds of skateboard enthusiasts, supporters, and competitors to Mount Maunganui.
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