Skateboarding in Buenos Aires

Location:
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Other Activity

By Shawn O'Bryant

Skateboarding in Buenos Aires, as in the rest of the world, is exploding.  However, Argentina has long had a history of respect for skateboarders and has produced a number of internationally renowned pros including Diego Bucchieri. The skateboarding scene is closely intertwined with underground and well-established punk movements, as well as the budding and lively hip-hop culture recently emerging in Buenos Aires.

The city has an abundance of spots to skate, but the best bet for a newcomer is to head down to the Plaza Correo area of Avenida Corrientes, (located near Luna Park and within viewing distance of the Casa Rosada) on Saturday afternoons. Skaters gather here every week to skate, eat, drink and prepare for various skateboarding excursions into the greater city. The locals are usually friendly and happy to show anyone interested around.

Finding good quality skateboarding equipment in Argentina can be difficult and expensive, so bring spare gear. If you find yourself in a bind, check out Tree Skateshop (Galeria Bond Street, Santa Fe, 1670), and see what you can find.

Although there are no public skate parks in Buenos Aires, Backside Skatepark (Arrotea, 923, located just outside of Subte station Varela on the E line) is always a good option. It will cost you five pesos to enter, but provides a good street course that is constantly updated and a nice concrete bowl. A café, bathrooms and another skate shop are also on site. Backside is also the site of constant professional contests, which draw Argentine and foreign talent alike. Lights shut off at 9:00 p.m.

When the skating is over and the famous nightlife kicks in, head to Club Lost (Araoz, 2424, $7 cover charge) where the newest local skate videos premier, and the force of BA’s diverse youth culture can be felt during the club’s famous hip hop nights, usually on Thursdays. Breakdancers battle, bass thumps, and hundreds of BA’s hottest partiers mingle by the hundreds. Just make sure you are willing to sweat a little ‘cause the place is hot!