Words: Sophie Clarke, Photography: Lawrence Chay, Matthew Noel, Natalie Mayer
Jersey’s favorite community space was buzzing last month. Professional skateboarders, locals and musicians joined together for the second ever Bowl Ā Crock event organised by Skate Space, a local charity led by Natalie Mayer. Her approach is refreshingly straightforward: build mental health through community, catch people before they’re struggling, and nurture the kind of connections that stick. The event, in its preparation, build up and execution, captured the purpose perfectly.
On the day, people walked or skated about the park, sharing a palpable sense of fun and anticipation. Rain clouds may have threatened (and delivered), but the crowds didn’t waiver. If anything, the tension made everything funnier, and the attendees more determined and ready for something extraordinary to unfold. The day opened with a special jam in the huge bowl (biggest in the UK), organised in memory of Danny Cram, a mate who sadly took his own life last year. After a poignant speech on the importance of friendship by Danny’s best friend and professional skateboarder Eduardo da Rocha, the sound of bagpipes cut through the park, a nod to Danny’s Scottish ancestry.
The bagpipes gradually faded into Danny’s favourite metal, and suddenly the whole atmosphere shifted. Nine-year-old Xavier Le Moignan was brave enough to drop in first, smashing out a run that would have done any skateboarder proud.
When the rain came, towels, squeegees, and brushes appeared, and everyone pitched in together to dry the ramps, optimistic for sunshine. With about 30 professionals waiting to shred, you could feel how badly everyone wanted this to work. Skateboarding can’t happen on a wet park, and in those wet moments it became clear: this event is as much about a community joining forces as it is about skill.
Felipe Nunes, a professional skateboarder from Brazil and double amputee, who manoeuvres his board with his hands, skated alongside the locals and other professionals. This international star travels the world and is a character in Tony Hawk’s pro skate game, but true to the grassroots nature of skateboarding, Felipe hung out in the park, signing boards and hanging with anyone that wanted to meet him.
Tomas Woods, the 16-year-old triple world champion of WCMX, spun and flipped in his wheelchair, showing a kind of limitless potential to onlookers. And local girl Brontë Hollick made her debut on a brand new adaptive frame that allowed her to stand and roll alongside coaches at eye level, supported and smiling. The energy in the park was infectious and fun.
A stage hosted local bands throughout the day. Many were school-age kids performing live for the first time, and the energy of their music mirrored the excitement in the park.
The event may have paused three times for rain, but the crowds returned each time. People swept the park dry, and carried on – everyone working towards the same goal of fun on concrete. The day was full of technical skill and daring, but what stood out most was the spirit of the community, bringing people together across ages, abilities, and experiences. It shows what can happen when an island comes together to share space and find joy in sport and music. It’s the kind of thing we need so much more of.
