Seaside Skates

Get your skates on and head along to Paraparaumu’s Seaside Skates, a quirky little outfit that’s easily one of the hippest shops on the Kāpiti Coast.

Often described as a ‘candy store for skaters’, a visit to Seaside Skates will definitely have you feeling like a kid all over again. A kaleidoscope of colours greets you upon arrival, splashed most prominently across the rows of beautiful quad skates lining the walls. Curated works by Kiwi artists also adorn the space, from the mural out front – done by a Wellingtonian – to the logo designed by an artist who is also a skater herself. There are plenty of surfaces around and outside the shop for customers to test their wheels on, including a mini-ramp. It really is a playground, with the entire shopping experience intentionally interactive.

The roller derby community is a tight-knit one, and with the Seaside Skates team all being keen skaters (boasting more than 70 years of collective experience), they can tap into their connections to source premium skating gear for Aotearoa. The bread and butter here is without a doubt the carefully curated selection of skate brands, ranging from children’s beginner skates to top-of-the-line custom builds for internationally ranked athletes. They’ve done well to take on customer feedback and expand their selection over the years, stocking scooters, skateboards, and inline skates. One of the team’s passion projects is a 100% made in Aotearoa New Zealand skate, and with a patented skate plate designed in-house, this isn’t far away from becoming a reality.

But don’t ever mistake Seaside Skates for being ‘just a skate shop’. The team are on a mission to not only supply the best skates and accessories you’ll find in the country, but also help skating culture flourish on the Kāpiti Coast and beyond. You’ll often see the team out and about in the community and teaching people of all ages and abilities to skate, from after-school programmes to private lessons for adults.

A shop where every single staff member definitely walks the walk (or skates the skate?), Seaside Skates is no doubt far more than a retail business. It’s a movement that, through supplying top-notch products and being trusted advisors in the community, works towards a clear vision - to bring back the glory days of skating.