The skate scene in Cambodia is growing. There are skateparks scattered across the Kingdom but they are few and far between. In this blog, I’ll go over where to skateboard in Cambodia, based on where I went while I was living there and some details about each spot.
Cambodia does not have any sidewalks or roads that you will be able to skate on. If you want to skateboard in Cambodia, your best bet is to get a moto or tuk-tuk to certain locations and do your skating there.
1. Skateistan (Phnom Penh)
Skateistan is the newest park in Cambodia that boasts a mini ramp, a few wood banks and quarters as well as some concrete features and rails recently put in by Newline Skateparks. The park is indoors which is great during rainy season, although the roof has a leak or two here and there.
This is, in my opinion, one of the best skateparks in Cambodia as it’s one of the only ones that offers both a street section as well as a mini and quarters for people who prefer that. The mini ramp and quarters that are made from wood are good but they absorb a lot of speed as they are not as firm as they should be.
The concrete sections of this park are quite mellow and forgiving as they are made for kids to learn on.
The park itself is only open for the public to skate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm-7:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-6pm. This is because Skateistan is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in developing countries.
If you want to check out more on that you can go to skateistan.org and see the wonderful things they do around the world to help young women and youth.
The scene at this park is great as well. Usually it’s always the same 5-10 kids there every day working on new tricks as well as a few of the older guys who are flat ground machines.
If you’re looking to skateboard while in Cambodia, this park is well worth checking out if you have the itch while you’re in Phnom Penh.
2. Wat Botum (Phnom Penh)
Near the Royal Palace, this public park usually has a handful of guys there each night working on flat ground tricks and playing games of skate.
These dudes are good.
At night the Wat comes alive with dancing, soccer and the locals looking to grab dinner. It’s the perfect spot to experience some culture while getting in the time to skateboard in Cambodia. It’s a good, smooth, flat ground to skate with a few ledges but it is quite busy at night and very hot during the day.
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3. Seametrey Leisure Centre (Kandal Province, outside of Phnom Penh)
Some of my best memories of living in Cambodia are from going to this place. Taking a tuk-tuk is the way to go as it can get quite busy and bumpy and it would be very easy to get lost.
It’s about an hour or so ride outside of the city into the country side. This is a great excuse to see some of the beauty that this
country holds.
The park itself consists of a bowl and a mini ramp. Neither of which has coping or is very well poured. It’s still skateable but don’t expect to be doing anything but stalls.
There is a small fee to enter but it’s well worth is as the money goes to support a school on site that provides education to the less fortunate children in surrounding villages. There’s also a lake nearby as well as a couple of small pools.
4. X-Bar (Siem Reap)
The best mini ramp in Cambodia, hands down. I would say it’s about 6 feet tall. It’s made of metal so it’s very fast and it can get extremely hot during the day. The ramp itself is on the roof of the bar.
The bar is very cool as well. Great drinks, pool tables, beer pong and darts.
The ramp is quite steep and just about vert at the top. Usually there are tables, half empty beers and cigarette butts on the ramp but don’t be afraid to give it a clean and sweep if you’re coming to skate it.
The dudes who own the bar are very cool as well. Make sure you say hello and grab a drink before you head up!
Watch: Skating at X Bar in Siem Reap
If you’ve skated in Cambodia, comment below and let me know if I missed any of your favourite spots. The Kingdom is growing and so is the skate scene.
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If you’re interested in downhill, find my blog here about bombing Bokor Mountain in Kampot, Cambodia.