Derby’s FLO Skatepark Opening Jam Delivers a Defining Day for the City’s Skate Scene

There are moments when a city feels like it turns a corner, and the opening jam at FLO Skatepark felt exactly like that.

From the moment the park opened, it was clear this was not just another event. It felt like a gathering of a community that had been waiting a long time for something to call its own. Young kids clutching boards, older veteran skaters rolling through with quiet confidence, dads skating alongside their children. Every corner of the park told a different story, but all of them pointed in the same direction. Derby finally has a space that brings it all together.

The atmosphere carried a genuine feel good energy throughout the day. People were not just there to skate. They were there to experience a milestone. For many, it was a full circle moment. Derby has long had ties to skate culture, from the days of Storm Skatepark to the legacy of the original FLO setup in Nottingham. This new park feels like those histories coming back together and being pushed forward.

One of the standout moments came with the bowl jam, hosted by Forde from Rollersnakes. While it had the structure of a competition, it quickly became clear this was more of an exhibition of what the local scene is capable of. There was competitiveness in the skating, but none of the edge that sometimes comes with it. Instead, it was supportive, open and driven by respect.

Forde’s presence throughout the session said a lot about why the day worked so well. A genuine champion of the local skate scene, he seemed to know everyone. Younger skaters were greeted by name, sometimes by nickname, with the kind of familiarity that only comes from years of being involved. He was constantly encouraging, offering small bits of guidance, celebrating progress and making sure everyone felt part of it. It was not just about running a jam. It was about nurturing a community.

Older skaters encouraged younger riders. Big tricks were met with cheers, but so were attempts that did not quite land. When Deano took a heavy fall in the bowl, the reaction said everything about the day. He was helped out, checked on, and supported by everyone around him. Moments later, he was back in, landing the same jump that had taken him down. The applause that followed felt bigger than any trick.

At the same time, across the park in the beginner section, a completely different but equally important scene was playing out. A young couple stood together, one holding the other’s hands and gently pulling them into their first drop in. There was no crowd, no pressure, just patience and encouragement. It was a reminder that this park is not just for the experienced. It is built for everyone, and seeing those first moments happen in real time was genuinely moving.

Adding another layer to the space is the artwork by Zah Zah Binks and Syahi, who had both been hand painting a wall at the park over the past few weeks. Each visit reveals something new, more detail, more character. It is becoming a centrepiece in its own right, blending skate culture with Derby’s wider creative scene.

Later in the day, the vert jam brought things to a close with the same energy that had carried the event from the start. Once again, it was not about ego or showing off. Skaters pushed themselves, but they pushed each other just as much. Every attempt, every near miss, every make was met with support. It was people who love skateboarding wanting to see each other do something special.

By the time the day wound down, it was clear this was more than just an opening event. FLO Skatepark has given Derby something tangible to be proud of. More importantly, it has highlighted something that has always been there. A skate scene built on community, resilience and creativity.

If this opening jam is anything to go by, the park has the potential to be more than just a place to skate. It could become a catalyst for something bigger. A cultural revival that reaches far beyond the ramps and rails.

Derby now has a skatepark to be proud of. What is even clearer is that it has a skate scene to be proud of too.