Exploring Johannesburg through Skateboarding - incl. skate lesson for beginners!

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

This experience is done through a combination of skateboarding and walking i.e. we skate where we can skate and walk where we need to walk!

Anyone who is looking to try something new OR to experience Johannesburg from the ground in a fun and informative way should definitely book this experience: you don't need any skateboarding experience to join, we start with a Skate Lesson for Beginners!

Johannesburg and South Africa both have very complicated histories

so this is also a great way to hear about these from our perspective!

Skateboarding is fun and Joburg is cool...come have a fun and engaging time with us in the City!

TIPS!

Some common slang you may here along the way...

Shap Shap -

Used to say "Hello" OR "Goodbye" or to indicate that something is good i.e. the food/movie/experience was "Shap Shap"!

Ekse, Hola -

Also used as common greetings i.e. "Hello"!

Sawubona (singular)/Sanibonani (group) -

"Hello" in Zulu...one of the most spoken native languages in the City!

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

All minors (children under the age of 18) must be accompanied by atleast one adult for the full duration of the tour

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

The experience starts in Maboneng (one of the world's 12 coolest neighbourhoods - Forbes 2018) with a skate lesson before skating around this developing neighbourhood and experiencing its vibrant street life made up of street art, history, cool hangout spots and amazing people! We then skate and walk through the culturally diverse streets until we reach Gandhi Square where we learn a bit more about Mohandas "Mohatma" Gandhi's time in Johannesburg (1903 - 1913) and South Africa between 1893 - 1914! From Gandhi Square, we skate through Marshalltown and learn about the origins and early history of Johannesburg (1886 - 1935) while also passing by the site of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo's old law firm on Fox street! We end off in Newtown where we continue to celebrate Joburg's robust arts and culture scene i.e. its history and impact on the development of South Africa! This tour is all about immersing yourself into Johannesburg's rich and complicated history, development and ever evolving story in a fun and informative way! NB! No Prior Experience Required - Experience has been designed to accommodate all skill levels from Beginners - Experienced i.e. includes a Skate Lesson!

What‘s Included

Transport back to the start/meeting point at Curiocity Backpackers after the tour ends!

Skateboards, Knee Pads, Elbow Pads, Wrist Guards, and Helmets!

Basics of Skateboarding lesson i.e. how to stand, push, turn and stop on a skateboard

Bottled water

Snacks

Options

City Skate Tours - Exploring Cities on Skateboards

Reviews

5.00

35 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Unmissable for a comprehensive visit of Johannesburg
pardo lola,,Mar 4, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide, Ayanda, was a good communicator, very knowledgeable, and inspirational. We not only learned about street art but also about city history and society. At the end, Ayanda, who has a caring attitude, patiently showed us different recommendations for a lovely evening in Maboneng. This excellent, 3 hours and a half street art walking tour was certainly one of the highlights of our visit to Johannesburg. Highly recommended!
Excellent tour!
lesliecap2022,,Nov 27, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful tour with Mike! After our initial reservation was cancelled due to rain, Mike and Ayanda were so accommodating when rescheduling. This was such a fun and unique way to explore Joburg's neighborhoods and art. Plus, we learned a new skill! Highly recommend and will recommend to friends!
Overall fantastic and unique experience!!
Garlen C,,Mar 24, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The City Skate Tour of Jo’burg was exceptional and a highlight of my first visit to Johannesburg. As an urban planner I love cities and am interested in how cities grow and change. The tour that Ayanda led included street art, history, architecture, urban planning and development, and politics. The ground level view provided by skateboarding (and some walking since I’m a newbie skater) really enabled you to gain a unique perspective. My 14 year old son who travels with his own skateboard just loved it. If you want a unique way to experience Johannesburg I highly recommend you book the 3-hour full tour you will not regret it!
Great experience
Justine3391,,Mar 23, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The City Skate Tours' team knows it all about the Johannesburg CBD and made our first time skating experience a very nice one. Ayanda and Mike are super friendly and make you feel comfortable on the skate board.
awesome Tour!
Ben B,,Oct 24, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
the trip with Ayanda was the best thing we‘ve experienced in Joburg! It was super interesting to see the city from his point of view and the skating was pretty much von as well! Thank you so much!
Best way to discover Joburg
Simon C,,Jul 22, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We did the E(ast) Scooter Tour with Ayanda. It was clearly the best way to discover this extraordinary city. Ayanda grew up in a neighbourhood of Joburg, so he takes you off the touristic roads to discover the reality of this city. What better way to enjoy a weekend with friends than with a local, very friendly and passionate about his city. We don’t see the time passing, thanks again !
Great experience !
Floriane R,,Jul 11, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a great experience, we don't regret choosing this activity at all. We really felt like we were with friends, with very funny and interesting anecdotes about the neighborhood where Ayanda grew up. It is amazing to discover a part of Johannesburg by walking around in the open air and to discover a neighborhood full of life.
Awesome fun and super interesting
fainsingertim,,Jun 14, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Such a cool way to explore JHB. The skating was lots of fun and the perfect way to see the city. We felt so safe with our local tour guide who was incredibly passionate about the city and full of information about the pockets of excellence and challenges that exist in town. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone, even if you have never skated before.
Be a tourist in your own city
Helenaadnesgaard,,Jun 2, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had the best Sunday afternoon cruising around Marshalltown with Ayanda from City Skate Tours. I had only tried to skate once or twice before and with Ayanda's guidance was zooming through the Jo'burg streets. The tour is very informative, Ayanda has a lot of historical and architectural knowledge of the city. Can confirm that safety always comes first and you get legit safety gear and Ayanda takes your happiness and health seriously. 12/10 would recommend.
AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
antonellaverardi,,May 12, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had the best time skateboarding around Maboneng with Ayanda. He was a great instructor, seeing as I had never skated before and that wasn't an issue at all - he taught me everything I needed to know to safely get by. I'll definitely do it again once I'm back in Joburg and recommend this wholeheartedly. It was so much fun!