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Skateboarding in Afghanistan?
Absolutely. As soon as Australian skateboarders Oliver Percovich and Sharna Nolan dropped their boards in Kabul in 2007, they were surrounded by the eager faces of children of all ages who wanted to be shown how to skate. Stretching out the three boards they had brought with them, they developed a small skate school.

A group of Afghan friends (aged 18-22) who were naturals at skateboarding shared the three boards and quickly progressed in their new favourite sport—and so skateboarding hit Afghanistan. The founders’ success with their first students prompted them to think bigger: by bringing more boards back to Kabul and establishing an indoor skateboarding venue, they would be able to teach many more youth, and also be able to provide older girls with a private facility to continue skateboarding.

On October 29, 2009, Skateistan completed construction of an all-inclusive skatepark and educational facility on 5428 square meters of land donated by the Afghan National Olympic Committee. The indoor section was graciously built by IOU Ramps. An outdoor section has been designed by Convic Design and construction is planned to begin in fall 2010.

Skateistan has emerged as Afghanistan’s first skateboarding school, and is dedicated to teaching both male and female students. It aims to build indoor and outdoor skateboarding facilities in which Afghan youth can come together to skateboard: here, they forge bonds that transcend social barriers. Here, they’re enabled to affect change on issues that are important to them.

Reason #1: It’s sick.
Reason #2: You probably haven’t seen it. – Tony

Ryan Ticknor skating Eastern Pulse in Milford.

Check out my review of the Eastern Pulse Skatepark here.

I arrived at Jay’s place over hearing a phone conversation with George about attire, which was quite odd considering both of them are coated in some type of flannel every day.

“Now, George, you’ve got to wear clothes in proportion to your physique. There are definite dos and don’ts, good buddy, of wearing a bold striped shirt. A bold stripe shirt calls for solid colored or discreetly patterned suits and ties.”

After reminding Jay we were going skateboarding and not to his holiday Christmas party, George picked us up for an afternoon session at Gaps.

In the past, Eastern Pulse’s park was a thin strip with not much room to move around in. Not anymore. They’ve opened things up and knocked down walls, which allows for a more fulfilling and natural experience. An experience encompassing a fun bowl, rails, and some perfect ledges to maintain lines on. The front larger hip is a bit hairy, though. Its bulky compared to the smaller obstacles adjacent to it and has the faint stench of sketchiness upon entry and dismount. That being said, it’s the least of your concerns at a place with some of the only “street” obstacles in CT. The shop has been moved to Hamden, so when you show up, have your set up ready to shred or be prepared to beg for spare parts.

Things Eastern Pulse’s Gaps Skatepark Has:

• A bowl that takes time to adjust to, but well worth the commitment.
• Rails, ledges, and wedges, sliced up nice in the same section, offering up creative lines.
• A squirrel named, Phyllis.
• Great mix of local shredders.
• Razor Scooter kids that want your blood or attention.
• A bathroom Jay washed his face in.

Things Eastern Pulse’s Gaps Skatepark Does Not Have:

• A tanning bed Patrick Bateman would be proud of.
• The solid four foot mini ramp I came to enjoy in the past. Please make another, Anthony?
• Ted Bundy
• A huge cement bowl that George would like to sink his teeth into, but I prefer not.
• 25 cent Hot wings.

When: Saturday December 11th, 2010