New Brunswick skate park opens

Railway: Ben Hughes makes a rail slide at the new skate park.

Jay Cronan

THERE were plenty of thrills and spills in Brunswick Heads yesterday, as its new skate park opened to the delight of dozens of skaters and hundreds of onlookers.

The sun dried up any traces of the morning’s rain, allowing eager skateboarders from five to 25 to put the bowl and the street section through their paces.

Board slides, 5-0 grinds, ollies and fliptricks were performed in every corner as music blared and Mullum Rotary put on a sausage sizzle, adding to the festive atmosphere.

‘Thanks for keeping the heat off the street’, was one entry in a giant card presented to Diane Woods to express gratitude for Byron Council’s help in getting the park built.

And kids who skate all over the shire left their streets, the schoolyards and the other skate parks and flocked to Brunswick to celebrate.

The slickest skaters came from the Gold Coast, said Luke Townsend, 20, from Byron, who was showing plenty of fine style himself.

“The Gold Coast has the best parks, so it has the best skaters. But with this new park, the local standard will be raised,” he said.

But the day was for everyone, from aces to grommets on scooters

Gary O’Halloran had brought his son, Karlin, aged five, and already a capable skater.

“Karlin’s just got into it this year and will get the full benefit.”

The park was ‘perfect’, Mr O’Halloran said.

“It’s a big plus for the community.”