Skateboarders' haven in Dubai

Skateboarders' haven in Dubai. Gulf News checks out a newly opened indoor skateboard park in Dubai. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/gntv

Transcript

00:00The scorching heat does not have to be a hindrance for skateboarders in Dubai.

00:18Skating in the Emirate all year round is now possible with the opening of Zoo Skate Park,

00:24the UAE's first indoor playground for skateboarders.

00:28The park has ramps for everyone, from beginners and thrill-seekers to professional skaterboarders

00:34and scooter riders.

00:35The indoor skateboard park is a 5,000-square-foot facility in Al-Quds.

00:40It can accommodate up to 30 people at a time.

00:43The park also offers individual and group lessons for beginners.

00:47Basically, it's the basics of skateboarding, getting to know the skateboard itself, the

00:52parts, the mechanics of it, how the skateboard works itself.

00:57When it comes to balancing and agility, different kids have different levels of skateboarding,

01:05so we need to cater to beginners, intermediate, or slightly advanced.

01:09So we guide them in terms of how to start off with the basics of pedaling, getting the

01:14balance right, and how to fall properly.

01:17Skateboarding has been attracting a growing number of practitioners worldwide, regardless

01:22of culture, age, and gender.

01:24It depends on their self-interest, or if they practice at home, if they have a lot of self-motivation.

01:32About a month, they can, I've seen kids in a month, they progress so high.

01:36Like today, my student Isabella, she's picked up so fast, because I give her homework to

01:42do, what to do at home.

01:44So also the support of the parents, you can't just learn from here, you need to practice

01:49at home.

01:50But from one to three months, they can pretty much do a couple of tricks already.

01:54Many parents are also encouraging their children to take up the sport as a way to boost their confidence.

01:59This is my daughter's third lesson here at the skate park.

02:03It was her initiative, it's now the highlight of her week.

02:06She's gained so much confidence, and is having a hell of a good fun.

02:09The skate scene here is weak, but there's no proper guidelines, there's no proper guidance in it.

02:14We have a nice skate park indoor AC, which is what Dubai needs, but now we need also

02:19qualified coaches, instructors, to guide them.

02:22Like most of them, they just pick up a board from the shop and just do what they want.

02:25Then comes the accident, so the learning curve is not structured.

02:29So that's what here we do, from the basics, until you get to know the board, you can control

02:33the board, and then move on slowly to the next level.

02:36So they appreciate the basics, and then moving forward.

02:40And the parents will be very happy with all the results, and the interest the kids are having.

02:45It's a good sport to have.

02:47The Zoo Skate Park Skateboarding Enthusiasts in Dubai now have a dedicated facility to hone

02:53their skills any day of the week.

02:55Irish Iden Bulieza for Golf News.