Ten important skateboard spots in Geelong, Australia
1. Geelong Waterfront Skatepark
Location: Eastern Beach, Geelong
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Transition skaters, bowl lovers, beginners, and intermediates
Geelong Waterfront Skatepark is arguably the most iconic skate spot in the region. Located along the picturesque Geelong waterfront, it offers breathtaking views of Corio Bay while providing an excellent environment for skaters. The park features a mix of bowls, quarter pipes, ledges, rails, and various street-style obstacles, making it suitable for both beginner and intermediate skaters. The bowl is particularly popular among transition skaters who enjoy flowing lines and carving. The open design and scenic backdrop make this park a must-visit spot for anyone skating in Geelong.
One of the key features of the Geelong Waterfront Skatepark is its versatility. Skaters looking to work on their street skills can find plenty of ledges and rails to practice on, while those into bigger tricks will love the deep bowls and large ramps. Due to its central location and popularity, the park can get crowded, especially during weekends and school holidays.
2. Barwon Heads
Location: Barwon Heads
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Beginner and intermediate skaters, transition skating
Barwon Heads Skatepark, located in the coastal town of Barwon Heads, offers a more relaxed, community-centered vibe compared to the bustling Geelong Waterfront Skatepark. This park is perfect for beginners and intermediates who are looking to practice their skills in a quieter environment. The park features a fun layout with smooth transitions, small quarter pipes, a mini ramp, and ledges, which cater to skaters still learning the ropes.
Barwon Heads Skatepark is also a great spot for transition skaters. The mini ramp allows for more technical tricks in a smaller, less intimidating environment. Additionally, the park's location in Barwon Heads means that after a session, skaters can relax by the beach or explore the quaint local town. This park is especially popular among young skaters who are new to the sport.
3. Waurn Ponds Skatepark
Location: Waurn Ponds
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Street skaters, technical tricks, mixed skill levels
Waurn Ponds Skatepark is one of Geelong's newer additions to the skating scene, and it has quickly become a favorite among street skaters. The park’s layout includes a variety of street elements like stair sets, handrails, banks, hubbas, and ledges, which appeal to skaters who enjoy technical tricks. The wide variety of obstacles allows skaters to work on flip tricks, grinds, and slides.
Waurn Ponds Skatepark also features a smooth surface and several transition elements, such as quarter pipes and banks, making it a well-rounded spot for skaters of all levels. This park is known for its friendly community and is popular with local skaters who are always willing to help beginners improve. The versatility of Waurn Ponds Skatepark ensures that skaters won’t get bored, as there is always something new to try.
4. The Park Geelong
Location: Grovedale
Type: Indoor skatepark
Best For: All skill levels, bad weather days, vert skating
The Park Geelong is one of Australia's premier indoor skateparks, located in Grovedale, a suburb of Geelong. This massive indoor facility is perfect for skaters looking to avoid the rain or the heat while still enjoying a quality session. It caters to all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros, and features a variety of obstacles, including mini ramps, vert ramps, bowls, and a range of street elements.
What sets The Park Geelong apart is its versatility. The indoor setting makes it ideal for rainy or windy days, and its sheer size ensures that there is always enough space for skaters to practice without feeling crowded. The vert ramp at The Park is one of its standout features, attracting experienced skaters looking for bigger transitions and airtime.
In addition to its world-class skate facilities, The Park Geelong also hosts events, competitions, and workshops, making it a central hub for the local skateboarding community. The facility also offers gear rentals, so even if you’re traveling without your board, you can still join in on the fun.
5. Corio Skatepark
Location: Corio
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Beginners, young skaters, street and transition mix
Corio Skatepark, located in the northern suburb of Corio, offers a welcoming environment for skaters of all ages and skill levels. It features a mix of street elements and small transitions, making it particularly suitable for younger skaters or those just starting. The park includes small ramps, banks, quarter pipes, and ledges that cater to beginner-level skating, but there are also a few elements for intermediate skaters.
Corio Skatepark is designed with a community feel in mind, and it’s a popular spot for families and young kids. The smooth surface and low-impact obstacles make it less intimidating for those who are new to skateboarding. It’s a great place for skaters to build their confidence and get comfortable with the basics of street skating and transition tricks.
6. Drysdale Skatepark
Location: Drysdale
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Transition skaters, mixed skill levels
Located in the quiet town of Drysdale, this skatepark may not be as large as others, but it offers a fantastic mix of transitions for skaters looking for a fun session away from the crowds. The park features a small bowl, a couple of quarter pipes, banks, and a spine ramp, all of which cater to transition skaters who love to flow and carve.
While not as feature-rich as some of the larger parks in Geelong, Drysdale Skatepark provides a smooth surface and a layout that promotes creativity. Skaters can link together lines, transitions, and tricks in a more relaxed environment. Its location outside of central Geelong also means it’s less crowded, allowing for a more peaceful skating experience.
7. Ocean Grove Skatepark
Location: Ocean Grove
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Transition and street skaters, intermediates
Ocean Grove Skatepark offers a great mix of both transition and street skating features, making it a versatile park for skaters who enjoy a bit of everything. The park includes a medium-sized bowl, quarter pipes, rails, and ledges, providing options for a wide range of tricks. The transition section of the park is smooth, allowing for flowing lines, while the street section has enough obstacles to challenge even intermediate skaters.
Due to its location in Ocean Grove, the skatepark offers a laid-back coastal vibe, with the beach just a short distance away. It’s a great place to spend an entire day, as skaters can enjoy a session in the park before heading down to the water to cool off. The relaxed atmosphere and versatile design make Ocean Grove Skatepark a favorite among local skaters.
8. Clifton Springs Skatepark
Location: Clifton Springs
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Beginners and intermediates, transition skating
Clifton Springs Skatepark is one of the smaller parks in the Geelong region, but it packs a punch with its clean layout and smooth transitions. The park is ideal for beginner and intermediate skaters looking to improve their skills in a less crowded setting. It features a mini ramp, small quarter pipes, and banks that are perfect for practicing transition tricks.
What makes Clifton Springs Skatepark stand out is its beginner-friendly design. The park's obstacles are less intimidating than those found at larger parks, allowing new skaters to practice their tricks in a safe environment. The smooth surface and compact layout make it easy for skaters to link together lines, giving them confidence as they progress.
9. Bannockburn Skatepark
Location: Bannockburn
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Street skaters, mixed skill levels
Bannockburn Skatepark, located just outside Geelong in Bannockburn, is a great spot for street skaters. The park features ledges, rails, banks, and stair sets, making it ideal for those who prefer technical tricks and street-style skating. The smooth surface and well-maintained obstacles provide a high-quality environment for skaters looking to work on their grinds, flips, and slides.
While Bannockburn Skatepark primarily caters to street skaters, it also has a few small transition elements that allow for a mix of tricks. The park is popular with local skaters but doesn’t attract the same crowds as some of the larger parks, making it a great spot for a quiet session.
10. Lara Skatepark
Location: Lara
Type: Skatepark
Best For: Street and transition skaters, all skill levels
Lara Skatepark rounds out the list as a versatile spot that offers a mix of street and transition elements. The park features quarter pipes, banks, ledges, and a small bowl, making it a fun spot for skaters who enjoy a variety of styles.
Skateboarding is tribal and most locals are welcoming, but if you're new to a spot, or just passing through, have respect for the locals. Listen. Be smart. Have fun.
A human being
Art can change the world – and everybody is an artist. Those who scribble stickmen. Those who paint chapel ceilings. Those who tattoo biceps. Those who are careful with pigment on canvas. Those who create fantasy characters. Those who paint pet portraits. Those who yarn bomb. Those who write poems on crappy old cardboard.
My art lives on the bottom of skateboard decks. It's designed for you to destroy. For you, the rider, my art may come second to the deck’s ability to perform – and that’s awesome. To me, art comes first. Always.
It’s how I think. It’s who I am. It’s what I am.
A machine
This article has been created with the help of artificial intelligence platforms ChatGPT and Bard. If there are inaccuracies or there are opportunities for improvement, please let me know.
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