BOSTON Skate BMX EVENT

THE BOSTON Skate BMX event on March 8 was organised by the French association Paris Skate Culture. The Skate BMX event was held at the first concrete skatepark in Jamaica, in Boston Bay; the park became available at the end of 2019. A JUTC bus arrived from the surf camp, Jamnesia, in Bull Bay, with 60 riders. The purpose of the event was to celebrate the growth of skate and BMX in Jamaica, as well as the building of a second skatepark: FREEDOM SkatePark in Eight Miles, Bull Bay. An attempt to build one in Kingston (at the UWI ) in April 2019 did not come to fruition, even though the work was 90 per cent completed. The charity project was stopped by the UWI before the pouring of concrete for “administrative reasons”.

In Boston, about 100 riders gathered and demonstrated their passion for these two new Olympic sports, knowing that surfing will be included in the next Games. The event was a success, local people enjoyed the show and participated in the initiative. Demos by top pro riders like Evan Mock from Hawaii and Benjamin Garcia (World & European champion in 2017-2018) from France excited the audience and took this JAM session to another level. Jamaican skaters like Shama Beckford, Ronald and Ivah Wilmot participated, as well as locals ZULU and TATTY – the skategirl (fourteen years old). Some say it was the biggest skate event ever held in Jamaica. There is no doubt that skateboarding and BMX are the sports of tomorrow and that the youth of today want their share. They will surely be among the Olympic athletes from Jamaica in Paris 2024.

To keep up with their adventures and progress on Instagram, follow @concretejunglefoudation, @pariskateculture, and @freedomskatepakja.

Their motto is ‘Skate or die!’

Competitions results:

Best tricks: 1st – Evan Mock (Hawaii), 2nd – Shama Beckford (Jamaica), 3rd – Jakes (USA)

Games of skate:

1st – Aner ‘Curly’ (Israel), a volunteer for three months at the Boston BBCC centre), 2nd – Shama Beckford (Jamaica)