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The colder season is a challenging time if you’re a London skateboarder.
Eleven skate parks exist around the city, but as snow and ice blow in, it becomes much harder to use these outdoor spaces.
Silverwoods Arena hosted an indoor skate park back in 2024. Its creation was championed by local businesses, namely HZRD. A petition preceding it garnered over 1,000 signatures.
The site was only temporary though. For those looking to hop on a board during Fall or Winter, the options are few and far between. The closest indoor facility to London is in Kitchener.
The lack of suitable infrastructure has long been noticed, said the owner of London Skateboard Co-op (LSC).
Outdoor skateparks around the city don’t have any street lights. It provides a barrier, said LSC’s Jimmy Travis, to those looking to squeeze in a few more tricks just before the snow creeps in. Especially as the sun starts setting earlier while the ground stays dry.
Jimmy has not been the only one with sights focused on making the sport more accessible. Siren Section also believes in getting more people to try it out.
Bo teaching a workshop in London. Credit to Ruby Guo and the Siren Section Facebook page. (Nov. 27, 2025)
The skate and surf club was created a year and a half ago. It was formed by two women, BoWaine Ma and Amber Harding.
“We realized that our friendship is what is going to help carry us through a community and help guide other people towards the sports,” said Bo.
Siren Section runs a variety of events throughout the year, like workshops and social gatherings. It aims to create a more comfortable space for women and LGBTQ+ folks to get out on the water or on the pavement riding a board.
“You have the opportunity to try once and not invest everything into that one sport you don’t even know if you like. You meet some new people, and hopefully from those connections you get to spend time with them later without us,” added Bo.
Both Bo and Jimmy pointed out how much skateboarding culture has changed. Especially between different generations.
“It’s not necessarily about the older generation and then us, but it’s more so […] What more can we do to provide for the next generation so that they don’t have to experience what we’re experiencing today? Because every community is whatever you’d like to make it,” explained Bo.
From the year and a half that Bo has been on the scene, though, she noticed that young people have been more eager to try it out.
Factors like the pandemic have been particularly bumpy for LSC. Even as the shop faces these challenges, its mission remains the same. Bringing others together through the culture.
More events are coming as the shop heads into its 14th year, Jimmy said. An upcoming event between itself and Siren Section is focusing on the self-expression inherent to the sport’s culture.
Participants will get to join others in painting a board and/or their helmet. Lessons are also being provided that will cover topics such as building a board and screen printing.
It’s scheduled for January 29th on Dundas Street.
“So we’re hoping that that space is going to give people a voice, but also have them see what they can create, not only individually, but together,” concluded Bo.
