Dubai's Best Skate Spots: Chosen By Nawstique

by Alexandra Mansilla

Dubai's Best Skate Spots: Chosen By Nawstique

5 Feb 2024

Dubai has some fantastic skate parks, but choosing which one to visit can be challenging. With so many options, figuring out where to start takes time. To help us out, we turned to Karim Nassar, also known as Nawstique. As the first Nike-sponsored Arab skater in the region, he is an expert on all things skating. Karim kindly shared his top skate spots with us at The Sandy Times.

Business Bay Skatepark

I often go to the skate park in Business Bay, where skating is free. However, after spending considerable time there, trying new things and coming out of my comfort zone can be difficult. This is a common issue faced by many skaters who repeat the same tricks. While it does help with consistency, it limits creativity and can become monotonous. Nonetheless, Business Bay remains one of my favourite skate parks. Although not many people share my view, I greatly enjoy skating there.

Photo: Nikita Berezhnoy

X Dubai Skate Park

The X Dubai Skate Park, located at Kite Beach, is Dubai's best-built skate park. The park has a smooth surface and is suitable for skaters of all levels, whether you are a beginner or an advanced skater. However, access to the park is available through a daily entrance fee or membership plan. Despite the membership requirement, the skate park is a fantastic spot worth checking out.

Photo: Nikita Berezhnoy

Downtown area

One of my favourite places to skate in Dubai is the Downtown area near the Dubai Mall. They change the location once a year, which is pretty cool. However, new things are constantly being built in Dubai. I like skating there because of the unique vibe it gives off. The architecture is fascinating and picturesque. Sometimes, I feel guilty sliding on certain things because they are so pretty. All in all, Downtown Dubai is my top choice for skating right now.

Photo: Nikita Berezhnoy

Fountain

Deira Fountain is another one for me. It is located near a metro and bus station and is one of the oldest places to skate. The area is like a plaza; I have a love-hate relationship with it. Some days, I go there and enjoy it, while other days, I dread setting foot there. However, I still find myself there every weekend. While some days prove enjoyable, most are a grind. The ledges have been skated on for over 20 years, so they are worn out, making skating challenging. It is still fun, but lighter skaters find it easier to skate there. As a heavier guy, I find it difficult to skate.

Instagram: @nawstique

by Alexandra Mansilla