Old skateboarding spots. The Hat Factory Fish Ponds. Located in Eltham Victoria, were built on the grounds of the factory sometime during the 1950’s. Why they were built and who completed the ponds and surrounding gardens are still unknown, yet the lavish outdoor landscape was a complete contrast to the tough working conditions for staff inside.
After the factory closed during the 1970’s, the gardens and most specifically the fishpond were discovered and adopted by skateboarders. The fishpond’s natural structure had three sections: Muzza’s wall, The Jungle Bowl and the U Bowl.
It was not unusual for skateboarders to travel over 2 hours by train to hang and skate at the bowls. In the early days skateboarders mainly focused on surf carving around the bowls, yet it was not long before wheelers, grinds and eventually airs started taking place.
The fishpond was a training ground for 70s skateboarders who would eventually start pushing the limits with full blown pool riding. During the 1980s, however, the ponds were eventually filled in with the area undergoing redevelopment. During its tender, rumour has it that Tony Hawk visited this spot, yet no evidence has been found.
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Gnarly abandoned waterslide skate spot (death slide)
Abandoned downhill skate utopia built by a french wine maker
Lost footage of Tony Alva 1978
Lost 70’s snakerun
Image credit:
All images from Noel Forsyth, be sure to check out his awesome skateboarding site!