On Women’s Day, the Ferndale Recreation Centre transformed into the epicentre of South African action sports.

The Skate School Academy successfully hosted The Motherland, officially the country’s largest dedicated women’s skateboarding competition. More than 30 girls from across the country gathered to show off their skills on the municipal courts.

Competitors ranged from a five-year-old beginner to seasoned skaters, and even included a dedicated group of girls who travelled from Alexandra, several of whom had never stood on a skateboard just six months ago.

Read more: Ferndale-based Skate School Academy celebrates sixth anniversary

“Today is the first ever, biggest, largest women’s competition held in South Africa,” said Shayne Robinson, founder and head coach of The Skate School Academy in Randburg. “It was just to put something together to show what women are capable of, if they’re given the space.”

The talent on the day left both the coaches and the judges deeply impressed. The competition was fierce but supportive, running the gamut from young beginners learning to push, right up to the highly anticipated Big Ramp Finale.

The massive ramp, built by hand over three weeks by the academy team, was the biggest drop many of the 19 brave finalists had ever attempted.

For Robinson, the highlight of the day came from one of the youngest competitors, who had travelled all the way from Tzaneen.

“Up until yesterday, she’d never met me, but we’ve been coaching online. To see her here today, competing in this competition, was probably the most heartwarming moment for me out of everything that happened today. The talent was out of this world.”

The event was officiated by heavyweights in the local skating scene, led by South African Olympic skateboarder Boipelo Awuah as head judge. She was joined by Peter Holtzausen, a 51-year-old skating veteran who has run the Germiston Bowl since 1990 and is a qualified judge for World Skate.

Also read: Randburg to host South Africa’s biggest women’s skateboarding competition this Women’s Day

Holtzausen praised the local talent and the event’s flawless execution.

“The organisation was incredible. The rules were set out very strictly. We didn’t have to argue or question anything. The field was quite surprising in terms of the level of skating. So, from a judging experience, it’s been really, really incredible.”

He added that being part of the historic day was a special experience.

“It was humbling, overwhelming, inspirational, and absolutely amazing to be part of this amazing journey that the skate school has taken.”

Despite the massive success of the free-to-enter event, Robinson is already looking ahead to make next year’s competition even more accessible.

He noted that some girls from Durban and Kimberley could not attend due to transport issues. “Hopefully, next year we can get some sponsors on board and we can try and get the girls bussed up and accommodated in Johannesburg, so that we can get 50 or 60, or even 70 girls here.”

His message to the sponsors and spectators who missed out on Sunday’s historic event was clear.

“You missed out. We approached so many people to be part of this event, and I really hope that when they see the coverage and what went down here today, that they’re going to come running for next year’s event so we can make it twice as big.”

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