Home to three skatepark floors, a 15m lead climbing wall, dedicated bouldering area, cafe and boxing facilities

Folkestone 51 (F51), is announcing the completion of the first purpose-built multi-storey skatepark facility, opening to the public on April 4th 2022.

Home to three skatepark floors, a 15m lead climbing wall, dedicated bouldering area, cafe and boxing facilities, Folkestone 51 will celebrate its opening with a number of launch events starting from March 25th 2022.

Featuring the world’s first suspended concrete bowls, the tallest climbing wall in the south east and three dedicated skatepark floors, F51 has something for all abilities and tastes of skateboarding, riding and climbing. Offering open sessions, coaching, clubs, holiday camps and a range of creative workshops, the new action sports centre is thrilled to open its doors after a series of unfortunate delays.

F51’s three skatepark floors will offer a variety of challenges and inspiration to a wide range of skaters and riders. The bowl floor, located on the first level, features the two suspended concrete bowls, one with traditional pool coping and 2.5m deep end and the other with a 2.7m corner bowl extension, 400mm of oververt and large rideable pillars. The two upper floors, the street and flow floor, have been made from timber and are designed for both beginners and experienced skaters to practise street and transition skating. The street floor features obstacles inspired from street furniture and the flow floor will be home to wallrides, volcanoes, waterfalls, blends, skateable pillars and more.

F51 is also proud to unveil the tallest climbing venue in the South East, with 15m high lead walls and over 350 sqm of climbing surface. F51’s lead wall includes 15 climbing lines and over 30 graded routes with vertical, slab and steep overhang roof sections. The space includes 2 dedicated speed climbing walls with auto belays and speed timers to test speed and endurance. There is also a dedicated bouldering area with over 230 sqm of surface to tackle graded routes and blocs up to 4m high.

Finally, the ground floor features a world-class boxing gym which will be home to the Folkestone Amateur Boxing Club. There is also a cafe open to the public and a multi-use creative space.

The building will be operated by a popular, community-focused charity, The Sports Trust, whose purpose is to create safe and inclusive environments for people to love sport and exercise. The charity, previously known as The Shepway Sports Trust, will aim to ensure that skateboarding, BMXing, climbing, bouldering and boxing are accessible to all - regardless of gender, ability or background. One of their initiatives aimed at improving accessibility for all will include a low-cost membership for under 16s registered to any of the charity’s partner schools in the Folkestone & Hythe district. This membership will grant them after-school access to the skatepark floors once a week, from Monday to Thursday term-time, for just £1 a month. More information will be communicated via schools shortly.

Local residents will have the opportunity to test out the skatepark floors at a special over 18s launch party on Friday 25th March. Guests to the exclusive event can expect full skatepark access, DJs, prizes and surprises - with support from Red Bull and Vans. The second launch event, on Saturday 2nd April, will offer the local community the opportunity to book taster sessions in skateboarding, climbing and boxing with F51’s team of qualified coaches.

Subscribers to F51’s mailing list will get early access to booking tickets, so it’s recommended signing up now so you don’t miss out: www.f51.co.uk.

Alex Frost, F51 Project Officer, Said: “After a series of unfortunate delays, we are proud and excited to announce the imminent launch of Folkestone 51 within Folkestone. This multi-action sports facility is both revolutionary for not only the local scene, but for skatepark and climbing enthusiasts all over the UK. By providing the country with an indoor facility of F51’s grandeur, we hope to both encourage more skatepark and climbing tourism to the South East while aiming to further influence locals to try something new, practise a sport they already love and find new and exciting opportunities within their hometown or county. Folkestone 51’s unique, multi-storey design aims to transform the way we think about the location of action sport venues. Located in the middle of the town centre, next to greener transport options such as both our bus and train stations, F51 will encourage people to utilise public transport options as a means of travel. With an array of exciting and accessible events planned over the coming year, F51 will solidify Folkestone’s place within the global skateboarding and climbing scene”