While the night’s main event was the skateboarding competition, large crowds amassed to watch local athletes practicing another new Olympic sport.

While skaters warmed up, Street Elements dancers on a stage beside the competition areas gave a freestyle breaking performance – before rapper Eddie Fresco’s moved the crowd through an intense opening performance, standing on a car ahead of skaters soaring across the gap. 

Throughout the evening, DJ Neil Depth spun bassy beats from a Red Bull branded vehicle to keep crowds energy levels high – although skaters didn’t struggle to keep all eyes on them.

The event was almost injury-free. One skater in the advanced category chose to pull out to prevent damaging his ankle further. 

Beyond this wise decision, none of the injuries sustained were serious – so they shouldn’t prevent anybody from pursuing a passionate love of daring to do the improbable, and brightening urban spaces by creatively using Malta’s ragged edges as obstacles to play with.

MSSA founder Karl Naja explained to Lovin Malta how significant it was for this event to be held in Msida’s square.

“Our public spaces should be utilised to the max. We have this mentality that a public space should be an open space with benches. There might be a kids area for kids between five and seven. What are those who are older supposed to do?”

Naja explained that this event could be a part of the way that this expectation could change – so that public spaces will become spaces for healthy recreational activity and public enjoyment – an interesting thought to keep in mind as more health-focused recreational spaces pop up across the Maltese islands.

The MSSA thanked competitors from across each category – as well as the “amazing crowd” in attendance – before inviting street sports enthusiasts to three on three basketball competition next Saturday

Tag someone who should join you at the upcoming basketball competition