Foam pit launched at Bognor Regis skate park

Mark Webb in action watched by skate park owner Janina Cooper. Photo by Derek Martin DM1610551a.jpg

A foam pit has been installed at The Base indoor skate park to make riding and skateboarding safer.

The facility was unveiled on Tuesday to the delight of the venue’s founder, Janina Cooper.

She said: “The foam pit transforms the skatepark into a robust training facility.

“Aerial tricks can be performed and, when practicing new skills, the athletes can overcome their fear barrier which projects them up to the next training level. The foam pit is also fantastic fun for those who are not privatising professionals and use the park for their own enjoyment.

“The nearest skatepark with a foam pit is 50 miles away and so has been desperately wanted by professional and amateur customers alike.”

The foam pit benefits the skatepark’s users by greatly reducing the risk of accident and injury, significantly expands chances for athletes to improve and develop in complete safety and increases confidence to allow rides to develop their moves in complete safety.

It also boosts the morale of the members and the staff.

The Base opened on Oldlands Way in October 2014.

It has 8,500sq ft of wooden ramps designed for all indoor extreme sports including skating, scooting, BMX riding and rollerblading.

Nowhere within 70 miles has the same facilities.

The foam pit took three weeks to build thanks to £18,500 from The Members’ Big Society Fund of West Sussex County Council and presented by Cllr Francis Oppler.

The world number one scooter champion, Jordan Clark, five times BMX world mini ramp champion Mark Webb and Dante Hutchinson, the UK scooter champion, practise there.

Their exploits have put the UK into one of the highest rankings in world extreme sports.

The Base already boasted a resi ramp with a rideable surface and a large soft foam underlay – the first on the indoor resi on the south coast.

“These advancements on the park catapult The Base towards true excellence in the impact on young people’s lives as well as the advancement of extreme sports in general,” said Mrs Cooper.

The Base was created by grants and donations from businesses and councils.

Its users range from 2-80 and a viewing gallery in its cafe. It is run by a community interest company.