M4 wash-away opens the door to skateboarding heaven in KZN
The M4 freeway collapse came after heavy rains caused a deluge of sand and water to move a gabion basket, which had been put in place by engineers to reinforce the embankment.
While the M4 freeway is closed for repair at the site of a massive wash-away near Umhlanga Rocks, a few plucky skateboarders have taken advantage of the rare opportunity to practise their skills and tricks, North Coast Courier reports.
The M4 is closed to traffic from the Sibaya circle to the dual-lane road before the Umhlanga on-ramp.
Here the long yet wide, gentle downhill stretch which continues for over a kilometre until the Umhlanga bridge provides the perfect playground for 40-year-old Umdloti resident Jacqui Herbst and her young friends.
Picking up from her youth and her days roller-blading, Jacqui picked up a skateboard in September 2018 and joined her friends in Umdloti who were also keen skateboarders.
“It feels like freedom, I never really want to grow up,” said Jacqui.
“It is a rebellious sport, but I am also very conscious of road safety so I wear a lot of gear.”
Jacqui and her friends Jamie (15) and Demi (15) Rowe also enjoy surfing and bodyboarding.
“A lot of people considered skating on the M4 but no one had tried it,” said Jacqui, who describes skating and surfing similar to painting art on a blank canvas.
Demi Rowe, who has been skating since she was eight, was drawn to the sport by her USA-based uncle who has a keen interest in skating.
“The M4 was awesome to skate, it is a lovely hill with a good surface.”
Demi uses skateboarding to de-stress from school.
“The challenges that you overcome while skating makes you feel great about yourself,” said Demi.
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