[Picture taken from Skate.lb]

In its continuous lobbying efforts for a permanent and safe Public Skate Park, the Lebanese Skateboarding Association (LSA), a non-profit organization established in 2011, is opening a pop-up skate park at the Beirut Waterfront – downtown from May 1st till June 15th 2012. For that purpose, LSA invites young people to share its vision and to join our opening event on Monday May 1st at 4:00 PM. The event will showcase street athlete, graffiti artists and professional skaters. .[Source]

In the invitation email I received, the LSA mentioned that there are currently 300 young people passionate about skateboarding in Lebanon, and that they expect this number to grow to 3000 within 3 years. A bit too optimistic in my opinion.

Nevertheless, I think having a decent Skate Park is a good thing as 1) Skaters or BMX riders have nowhere else to go and it’s safer to skate in a park than in the streets, 2) Skating is affordable to all people and 3) Skating is a cool and fun sport.

PS: I hope LSA asked for a permission to draw Graffiti in the Park.