Mamba Skate Park slithers into Salties

Salt Rock now boasts a brand new skate park that has already attracted attention from downhill skaters locally and abroad.

The Mamba Skate Park, situated in Eden Village, opened its track on Saturday to the excitement of children, parents and downhill skateboarding enthusiasts.

The track consists of roughly 450m of winding, pumping and rolling track through a jungle of trees and thick coastal bush, providing full shade on the course.

Business partners Haden Keeton and Pete Moss called in the knowledge and experience of former SA champ Eben Combrinck from Ballito and Durban skater Troy O’Sullivan to design the workings and layout of the track.

Combrinck and O’Sullivan did not even have to make technical drawings because they knew exactly how they wanted the track to work, making for a smooth and fast ride.

They created a technically difficult track that can offer some challenges for the advanced downhill skaters and yet it is a track where young and old can comfortably learn the basics of the sport.

Eden Village is also home to Bloom Special Needs School, Swim Baby and Village Kidz.

“It provides a safe space for the children to hang out and enjoy some time outside,” said Keeton.

Combrinck said there is nothing like this anywhere else.

“It is a pump track with some humps and rails where you do not have to use your feet to gain momentum, but you have to shift your weight across the board to gain speed,” said Combrinck.

Salt Rock residents, skaters, parents and children were bubbling with excitement seeing the new addition to the area on Saturday that will certainly provide hours of fun for everyone.

“It is also a massive tourism boost for the area and we have received so many good words from abroad with people who cannot wait to come and visit,” said Keeton.

The Mamba Skate Park places emphasis on safety so protective gear gets checked before anyone is allowed to skate.

And if you need gear, the Mamba skate shop sells it all.

Permits to skate can be bought for a half or full day or on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. The track is open Monday to Friday from 1pm to 5pm, Saturdays 9am to 6pm and Sundays 9am to 5pm.