There’s an old municipal tennis court at Ferndale Recreation Centre in Randburg that no longer looks much like a tennis court.

It has become home to The Skate School Academy, and something interesting has happened there: around 70% of its skaters are now girls.

That is unusual in a sport long dominated by boys and men.

Earlier this month, you could see just how much has changed.

From Five Years Old to National Level

On Women’s Day, more than 30 girls and women from around South Africa arrived in Randburg for The Motherland, a competition created entirely for female skateboarders.

The youngest was five. Some girls from Alexandra had been skating for only about six months. At the other end were experienced competitors, with South African Olympian Boipelo Awuah watching from the judges’ table.

One young skater even travelled from Tzaneen after months of online coaching. She met her Randburg coach in person for the first time just before competing.

Those stories say more about what is happening here than the competition results do.

Girls who might once have watched from the side are getting onto the board.

Why Randburg?

The Skate School has deliberately created space for beginners, including girls-only Friday sessions. Equipment is available for those who want to try skating but don't yet own their own gear.

And this isn't simply recreational.

Time Out Johannesburg reported that the academy produced three South African national champions in 2025.

So the same court can have a child learning how to stand on a skateboard for the first time and another training at national level.

The Bottom Line

The old tennis courts in Ferndale haven't changed location. Who is using them has.

With girls now making up around 70% of the academy's skaters, the change in South African skateboarding isn't something Randburg is waiting for. It's already visible on the ramps.