Folkestone 51 – Skateboards away!

Folkestone 51 – Skateboards away!

The worlds first purpose-built multi-storey skatepark opens

It’s what we’ve all been waiting for – the opening on Monday April 4 2022 of the world’s first purpose-built multi-storey skatepark, and it’s right here in Folkestone!

NOTE: For enquiries about using this venue please check the F51 Website or email  hello@f51.co.uk 

Overview

This incredible addition to the fun of Folkestone is home to three skatepark floors, (including the world’s first suspended concrete bowls), a 15 m climbing wall (the tallest in the south east), a dedicated bouldering area, boxing facilities, and a café, all in a brand new stunning looking building.

With something for all abilities and tastes in skateboarding, riding and climbing, there are open sessions, coaching, clubs, holiday camps and a range of creative workshops.

You can drop in and get active, watch the kids being active, or simply sip a coffee in the café!

Getting Technical – Skating Style!

The first floor bowls offer two suspended concrete bowls, one with traditional pool coping and a 2.5m deep end, and the other with a 2.7m corner bowl extensions, 400m of oververt and large rideable pillars.

The two upper floors, the street and flow floor, are made from timber and designed for both beginners and experienced skaters to practise street and transition skating.  The street floor features obstacles inspired by street furniture, and the flow floor is home to wallrides, volcanoes, waterfalls, blends, skateable pillars and more.

Climbing the Walls

F51, the tallest climbing venue in the south east, offers over 350 sq m of climbing surface, up to a height of 15m, with 15 climbing lines and over 30 graded routes with vertical, slab, and steep overhang roof sections.

There are two dedicated speed climbing walls with auto belays and speed timers to test speed and endurance, and a dedicated bouldering area with over 230 sq m of surface to tackle graded routes and blocs up to 4 m high.

Boxing Clever

Folkestone Amateur Boxing Club has a new home in a world class boxing gym, and is hoping to widen access and membership.

Getting Here

Folkestone 51 is the world’s first purpose built multi-storey skatepark, located in Folkestone, Kent, just a 54 minute journey from London St. Pancras.  Designed to attract locals and those from further away, F51, unlike most such locations which are often on industrial sites, is located in the heart of the town and is easily accessible by public transport.

Open to All

The Sports Trust (formerly the Shepway Sports Trust) will be operating the facilities at F51, with the objective of creating a safe and inclusive environment for people to love sport and exercise.

They believe that skateboarding, BMXing, climbing, bouldering and boxing should be accessible to all – regardless of gender, ability or background.  In great news for any under 16s registered to any of the charity’s partner schools in the Folkestone and Hythe area, membership will grant them access to the skatepark floors for once a week from Monday to Thursday in term time for just £1 a month – an initiative schools will hear about very soon.

Behind the Scenes

F51 has been funded by the Roger de Haan Charitable Trust, which has given the building to the people of Folkestone – www.rdhct.org.uk

Facilities are run by The Sports Trust – www.thesportstrust.org

F51 Sports Park, Tontine Street, Folkestone CT20 1SD – www.f51.co.uk

 

 

(News release by Folkestone & Hythe District Council)

 

 

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