The best skate spots in the Bukit of Bali, where the skate community lives.
You already know where to surf, but where can you go for a skate and get those fast twitch muscles in your legs working? Stomp some flip tricks, hit some coping and pretend you're doing floaters, nail some 180s to dial in your air reverses, or simply do some manuals to fine-tune your balance points. Regardless of how or why you skate, it's fun and makes you a better surfer, so go push some wood.
Finding a smooth piece of pavement in Bali is almost impossible, and it's even harder to find one without traffic or angry security guards.
Not to worry. We have your back, presenting you with the best underground skate spots in the hood, from flat land to ramps, bowls, and parks for all weather and levels.
Flat ground skate spots
Let's start with the basics and work our way up.
Sounds weird, I know. But before entering the paid section of the park, there is an abandoned shopping arcade offering large, smooth black-tops, and tiled areas. Best of all, it is lit up, making night sessions a must since there is no shade.
At sunset, local skaters set up rails and boxes near the food vendors at the front. They are always keen for a session or a game of skate.
@kadekonfire never needs to brag with rail combos like this. Photo @joaoatomephoto
Hot tip for security – during the day, when the grounds are empty, security can be dicks to bules(foreigners). They are more chill at sunset and even better if you hang with the locals.
Don't try to argue with security; you won't win, and you'll forever be on their radar.
No book learning here, only tricks.
During the daytime, you can skate on the basketball courts in the southwest corner of the campus. Just show up and roll around hassle-free. If people want to play ball, it is wise to give up the courts for them to prevent security from banning us. Typically, games don't start till after sunset, so no dramas.
Skate Ramps and Bowls
It's great when companies give back to the community, and that's what Globe Skateboards did.
It was one of the first proper skate spots to be built in Bali and is still the spot to go for the core community. Found behind their packaging warehouse in Tuban, they loan shoes and boards to locals so anyone can go for a rip.
Local, “All Day Gede” putting on an air show. Photographer unknown.
It's free to skate from 8am-11pm. Treat it like a public park, bring your own music and beers and be ready to socialise with some heavy rippers.
The lines are endless in this fifty-metre funky-shaped pool with hips, clovers and volcanoes of all sizes throughout. With depths alternating from 3-12 feet, the biggest challenge is maintaining your speed.
Next to the bowl is a friendly-sized 2-foot mini-ramp with a roll-in.
Everyone can skate!
Found on the last hairpin corner on the way to Balangan beach, you will find a skate oasis shaded by mango trees.
It costs 25k to skate it, but you get free water or beer with your entry–YEW!
Choose from a bone-shattering 8-12 foot kidney bean-shaped bowl with a man-eating octopus painted in the deep end, a four-foot mini ramp, and two grind boxes.
It gets hot as hell here. There is little to no breeze, so be prepared to sweat.
Their three-foot wooden mini ramp offers the only air-conditioned skate spot in Bali. With free entry and free boards, there is no reason not to drop in.
@selecta_benni our favourite unsung hero with a bag of tricks deeper than no other. Photo by @joaoatomephoto.
Even though it's free, be polite and buy a coffee or a beer. BGS coffee has some of the best in Bali, and they do a lot to support struggling communities and orphanages on the island.
Skateparks
This indoor wooden skate park has it all. A street section featuring banks, stairs, ledges and rails, a three-foot mini ramp and a 6-foot halfpipe.
The grounds double as a community centre making it the easiest way to give back to the community by paying 10k per session.
Photo from skatermaps.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjvCTlEbEOU – watch the locals send it @elevate_bali as they compete for first place.
They have free water and a solid sound system to keep you pumped while you skate.
Open from 4pm-11pm every day, but Sunday it's a great place to hang out.
The Well-Known Skate Spots
You probably already know these spots from driving around, seeing ads or video edits online.
In case you don't, here is the link for them so you can find out all you need to know.
@selecta_benni doing what he does best at the Jet Park. Photographer unknown.
Hope to see you out there!
Feel free to leave a comment and set up a skate session.