That lack of infrastructure is something Cullen feels keenly. “We have one proper indoor skatepark in Ireland, and it has just shut down. Outdoor spots are rain-soaked, DIY ramps get removed or wrecked, and tourists crowd the few spaces we do have,” he says. “We need serious investment. England has about 70 indoor parks. We have none that are fit for actual skaters.” Cullen is vocal about what needs to happen next - namely, the long-awaited Metropole Skatepark in Portrush, followed by an indoor facility at either the Dunluce Centre or WaterWorld. “There are nine skateparks now, with two more on the way in other council areas, which is great to see, but they’re all outdoors. In this climate? It’s not enough.” Though he’s no longer working full-time as a Skateboard GB-certified instructor, Cullen still finds joy in teaching. “Watching someone land a trick they thought was impossible, that’s the best part. When the skate school first started with Rawee, there were hundreds of kids going through it and loads have started now because of it, but without somewhere to practise all year or even a proper skatepark to begin with, most parents will take football, tennis and swimming more seriously.. Still, there’s hope. Cullen praises Slaine from Arcadia Skate Shop, who’s breathing new life into the local scene. “He’s bringing Skate School back and doing loads. There’s a new wave of kids catching up with the ‘owl bais’!” As for his own goals? He’s keeping it chilled. “Just skate as much as I can and keep enjoying the local Irish competitions. They’re always a good day out.” His advice to new skaters? “Skate for fun. No pain, no gain. And follow me @ cull3n_sb.” Finally, to the community cheering from the sidelines. “A big shoutout from me to KillingTime Skateboards in Dublin, Solelo Skateshop in Belfast, the Who Knows boys, and everyone backing #getportrushaskatepark, I seriously couldn’t do it without you!”
expected because of how good everyone was that was there. But the skatepark was 50 minutes down the road from me, compared to most of the lads from down south who had never skated there before. I suppose you could say it was a local advantage!” Cullen’s skateboarding hero? Andrew Reynolds, the 47-year-old icon still landing tricks most skaters half his age can’t dream of. “I want to be doing this for as long as possible,” Cullen says, echoing Reynolds’ longevity. Cullen’s journey has taken him beyond Northern Ireland as he has competed at the GB Skateboard Nationals. That proved to be a wake-up call on how big and well-supported the UK scene is. “The level there is totally different. At the GB Skateboard Nationals, I didn’t make it into the finals, and on day two I sat in Hop King bar/skatepark with Irish skate legend Jamie Griffan and watched the finals. The amount of indoor skateparks there definitely helps the scene all over the UK.”
Photo Credit: Conor Kenny
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