Skateboarding in Jamaica

Skateboarding in Jamaica

Impact

Season 9 Report - September to December, 2022:

72 unique children impacted over 32 Edu-Skate classes.

52 total attendance over 10 Homework sessions.

24 total attendance over 6 Enrichment Activities.

48% female participation across all programmes.

958 skatepark visits.

540+ skateboards loaned.

100% locally run.

The Story

Jamaica, and especially its capital, is one of the most vibrant but also violent places on earth. In fact, while boasting impressive music, arts and sport cultures, it also has one of the highest national homicide rates in the world. Providing Jamaican at-risk youth with a positive, constructive and healthy outlet to avoid getting tangled in such criminality and violence thus lies at the heart of this project.

Located just outside the Jamaican capital in 8 Mile Bull Bay, the 1300 sqm Freedom Skatepark was built over the course of 7 weeks in early 2020 by some 40 international and local volunteers. The build saw the first implementation of CJF’s paid apprenticeship programme, which allowed 6 local skaters to shadow professional builders over the construction period while earning a living wage.

The Edu-Skate programme was implemented at the Freedom Skatepark following the Covid-19 restrictions in August 2020 and continues to operate with the aid of international volunteers and local staff.

The Skatepark

News from Jamaica

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Aug 31, 2022 · 4 min read

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Recap: Girls Skate Day Jamaica!



Edu-Skate teacher Kayla Wheeler reflects on the first all-girls skateboarding event in Jamaica — hosted at CJF's Freedom Skatepark on August 13, 2022.

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May 31, 2022 · 6 min read

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Resonating with the Youth of Jamaica



After a year and a half of COVID-19 reality, four months of planning, two planes and one night spent in Toronto airport, my dream filled with anxiety-induced anticipation has come true. A frosty aluminium box has successfully transported me from a gloomy temperate London into a tropical dreamland.

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May 28, 2021 · 4 min read

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Interview with the Energetic Nomads from Jamaica



A year after they started skateboarding, we caught up with the Energetic Nomads, the first group of graduates from the Edu-Skate Programme at the Freedom Skatepark. They have grown into a close-knit group that spends most of their days together. Get to know the group better through the following group interview.

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Sep 18, 2020 · 4 min read

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A space and time: Local Planting Seeds Apprentice Kayla Wheeler on building Kingston's first skatepark


I was nervous, battling second thoughts of even going. What if I dislike the work? What if I can’t do what’s required? Life can be beautiful even if you don't feel completely comfortable, I tell myself ...

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Sep 27, 2019 · 4 min read

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Building Kingston’s First Skatepark


In February 2020 a group of 25 international volunteers will link up with Jamaican skateboarders to build Kingston’s very first skatepark, as well as a community centre attached to it...

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Check out our Jamaica IG channel for daily news from the local team.

Current local staff

Meet the homies behind the scene.
This local team handles the day to day activities at the skatepark.

Jamaica Staff Blake Burnett

Project
Manager

Blake Burnett

Jamaica Staff Nicholas Balla

Senior Skatepark
Manager

Nicholas Thompson

Jamaica Staff Ronley Lewis

Skatepark
Manager

Ronley Lewis

Jamaica Staff Icah Wilmot

Homework
Teacher

Icah Wilmot

Jamaica Staff Rayquon Abrahams

Edu-Skate
Coordinator

Rayquon Abrahams

Jamaica Staff  Damany Gayle

Skateboard
Teacher

Damany Gayle

Jamaica Davion James

Music
Teacher

Davion James

Jamaica Staff Negita Brown

Social
Worker

Negita Brown

Project partners

Logo The Skateroom Logo Seprod Foundation Logo Sandals Logo Flipping Youth Logo New Line skateparks Logo Help Jamaica logo Paris Skate Culture Logo Tomorrow Tday Festival

Project partners