Helsinki’s Suvilahti DIY skatepark hosts likely final competition

Helsinki’s Suvilahti DIY skatepark, a globally recognized venue built by a small group of friends in 2011, held what may be its last competition on Saturday, according to a report by Finnish broadcaster Yle.

The event, the eighth edition of the Södervik Mästare contest, drew large crowds as the park operates on a temporary lease in the expanding Kalasatama district. Helsinki city has terminated the lease and will begin construction on Kaasutehtaankatu and Kaasutehtaankenttä in autumn 2026, effectively ending the park’s tenure.

American professional skater Cody Lockwood won the competition, which organizers and attendees described as both a farewell and a new beginning. The day featured performances by international skaters, including Tom Remillard and Jordan Thackeray, as well as local participants.

Awards were followed by a concert by the rock band Kiss, capping off the event.