People play skateboard at a park in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2025. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
by Burak Akinci
ANKARA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- In Ankara, Türkiye's capital of orderly boulevards, a different rhythm unfolds in its parks, where young skateboarders glide, spin, and build a lifestyle of movement, balance, and community.
"There is a huge interest in Türkiye in all things related to skating and skateboarding," Mertcem Erbayraktar, a 27-year-old skateboarding enthusiast, told Xinhua.
The former Türkiye national skateboarding team member explained the once niche activity has gained new prominence since its Olympic debut in 2021 in Tokyo.
This global recognition has elevated it to the status of a respected sport, attracting enthusiasts around the world. In Türkiye, interest in skateboarding has grown rapidly in the past decade.
"The interest is growing daily, and we are happy to teach what we have learned to the younger generation," Erbayraktar noted.
Skateboarding culture in Türkiye has been steadily growing, particularly in urban centers like Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul, the country's biggest cities, but also in remote parts of the country.
"Skateboarding and skating in general is a lifestyle and a form of self-expression, appealing to those who value freedom, creativity, and connection," said Emirhan Ataman, a former skater who now competes on the skateboarding circuit.
Once considered a fringe activity or even a rebellious pastime, skateboarding is enjoying newfound popularity among the city's youth.
Over the past five years, the capital's modest but growing number of public skateparks, pop-up meetups and online communities has transformed skateboarding into a shared experience that goes beyond tricks and speed.
"Skating gave me something I didn't even know I needed: belonging and a sense of community and family," Ataman pointed out.
Skateboarding is still in its early stages in Türkiye. However, the enthusiasm of community groups and the sport's alignment with global trends suggest growth potential.
"There's no judgment here. It doesn't matter if you're good or just starting out. People will cheer you on either way," Ataman said.
The sense of camaraderie in this sport is significant.
"When you look at it, we can say that skateboarding is a socializing sport and culture because it doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, everyone can practise it," said Berkan Ozkan, an official from the Turkish Federation of Skateboarding.
At weekend sessions at Ankara's parks and other public facilities, skaters in their teens mingle with thirty-something enthusiasts.
Some are veterans from Ankara's early skate scene in the 1990s, while others are newcomers drawn by social media videos and a desire to try something different.
Community organizers say the growth has been organic, driven largely by word of mouth and digital platforms. Local Instagram pages now serve as hubs for event announcements, tutorials and user-submitted videos.
"It wasn't like that just a couple of years ago, we used to meet with only a handful of skaters. Now hundreds gather every Saturday," said Bora Cekic, a skateboarding and inline skate trainer.
While Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city and economic heart, often grabs the spotlight for urban trends, Ankara's skaters say the capital's less chaotic pace makes it ideal for honing skills and building tight-knit groups.
Urban planners have taken note, with several municipalities adding designated skateboarding spaces in recent years, including a modest but well-used park in the Batikent neighborhood new ramps under construction in the Cankaya district.
But not all skateboarding happens in skateparks. Public squares, university campuses and even empty parking lots have become makeshift arenas. Although occasional run-ins with security guards still occur, most skaters say attitudes are shifting.
"Five years ago, we'd be told to leave almost everywhere," recalled Ataman. "Now, people stop to watch or even ask to try. Some even bring their children to learn."
Beyond the boards, what keeps people coming back is the sense of support.
"The solidarity in skating sports in general is terrific," Erbayraktar said. ■
A man plays skateboard at a park in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2025. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
