Revolution Skatepark looks back on its 25 years and introduces a brand-new Flow Room

Revolution Skatepark in Broadstairs is cited as the starting block of so many Kent skaters as well as being a mecca for those travelling from further afield.

While this year it is celebrating its 25th anniversary, founder Dan Chapman wasn’t always so sure that it would stay the course.

“At the start, obviously I was a lot younger and, although I obviously believed in it and ploughed everything I had into it, I didn’t think I’d still be here now,” says Dan.

“It was a case of just having the opportunity and trying to prove a few people wrong, you know, that I could do it. And if you lasted six months or a year, then so be it, it would have been good while it lasted.”

Living up to its name, the park was the first indoor skate facility in Kent and has been at the forefront of driving the local scene forward for more than two decades.

“Back then, there was nowhere to actually go skating at all round here. And I mean nowhere, absolutely nothing,” says Dan. “The closest place I used to go was Romford, but that was still outdoors. Every now and then a little ramp would spring up in the woods or something would only last a season sort of thing.”

Now stretching across multiple warehouses on the Oakwood Industrial Estate, it boasts a Street Room, a Mini Ramp Room and its newly-refurbished Flow Room.

“It was a bit of a tough decision in a way because, you know, you can’t reinvent the wheel, but it had been there since day one. Obviously, we’ve resurfaced it over time, but it’s just time for change. You know, you’ve got to keep moving forward.”

The Flow Room, which takes its name from the design, allows skaters to keep up momentum without having to push too much.

“You know, you can just keep on going. Half of that room is a bit like a pump track… you can just go over lots of humps and just keep the momentum going.”

It’s also a great area for beginner skaters to improve their skills. Its position in the park means it has a number of the other rooms looking over it, meaning it’s also perfect for lessons and birthday parties for youngsters.

“It will also leave us a bit more leeway now to go ahead and build bigger or different things in other rooms because we’ve kind of catered for the smaller beginners, even though it’s fun for everyone,” says Dan.

So does that mean there will be upgrades to the rest of the park?

“It’s on the cards. We’re not exactly sure when because we’re letting the dust settle on this job. But the street course is the next one to have an overhaul. But it’s not just been about building ramps – we’ve extended our snack bar and spectating facilities, too. We’ve put new LED lights throughout and emergency lights, it’s all completely fresh and clean.

“We want to go and do the same in the street course. A lot of our clients are scooter riders and BMX riders that love jumps. So we’re contemplating designing some more jump boxes. Maybe we will have some bigger, longer street grind obstacles for the better riders, too.”

With the sport now in the Olympics, it is perhaps as popular as it has ever been and Dan has also noticed a shift in the demographics of the park.

“It’s steadily been growing over the years, but it is changing,” he explains. “Right now, I’m sitting in the office and we have 15 people in the skate park and almost half of them are women. It’s great to see that.”

The online booking form and waiver mean it has become easier than ever to book into the skatepark or the on-site climbing centre, costing £9 for a two-hour session.

Over the 25-year history of the park, Dan is most proud of the friendly nature for which Revolution is known.

“I feel that people probably love the atmosphere the most. And that there’s a little bit in there for everybody,” says Dan. “I think it’s the overall experience. You know, we see the next generation coming here now. People who used to come here when they were kids are now bringing their kids, it’s amazing. At the end of the day, it’s about having fun, and that’s what we try to achieve.

“We wouldn’t be here 25 years on if we weren’t doing something right.”

INFO: www.revolutionskatepark.co.uk

INSTA: @revolutionskatepark