Kuta Beach Skatepark
Written By Ida Wiedel Photography By Melissa Zabihi
When it's 35 degrees outside during the day, you have to wait for the evening to skate. So, at 7pm, my friend Melissa and I went from Uluwatu to Kuta on a scooter with our boards. After 40 minutes, we arrived at Kuta beach and after some minutes of riding between the street stores and the sand, we saw the skatepark. It was only a few meters from the beach and it was full of people. Groups were sitting on the sandy edges drinking coconuts or beers and some people with surfboards in their hand stood in the sand, looking like they couldn't decide whether to watch the skaters on the right or the surfers on the left. Some of the people went from the water to leave their surfboards in the sand and after 5 minutes of battling with their socks and shoes to get them on their wet, sandy feet, they showed everyone that it doesn't matter what board they are given, they will ride it regardless. Seeing that constant transition from board to board was a first- time experience for me, and I could have sat and watched the skaters and surfers at Kuta beach skatepark for hours.
The friendliness that was all over the park was beyond what we both expected. We've traveled around with our boards before, but never had we felt so welcomed in one place. Everyone seemed to know everyone, and people gathered on the concrete floored areas between the bowls and some ledges to share an Arak (Indonesian drink) or to have a cigarette. While Melissa headed out into the park, I sat down for a while. I started talking to some people, and we were immediately invited to future parties and asked how long we would be there, where we were staying, and when we would come back. They talk about themselves and it seems to be people from different parts of Indonesia. Bali, being one of the most well-known islands, attracts not only tourists, but also Indonesians from other parts of the country. Many had traveled quite a bit just to get there and some would stay with friends while others would get home with trains, buses and boats.
Oli and Chris
Despite the loud laughs and conversations, they didn't miss hyping up a single trick that happened a few meters away. No one was alone and It just seemed to be a place where people gathered to feel at home and make friends. The sense of safety there allowed even those of us from the other side of the world to sit down and fully relax. In the evening, we took the scooter back with a brand new picture of the Indonesian skatescene and lots of new friends to meet up with for skating during the weeks we would be there. It was one of the absolute warmest memories from my trip in that country. If you are ever in Indonesia, Kuta beach skatepark is a must.
