American pro skateboarder Tony Hawk has been invited to try out Jersey's new skateparks once they are up and running.
It's after he recorded a video message in support of the islanders who had been campaigning for the sports facilities to be created:
Tony Hawk's message to Jersey's skaters
His message calling on people to 'keep hassling the city' for proper facilities led some on social media to speculate he had confused Jersey for New Jersey - but the Birdman's since tweeted he knows Jersey is an island, and that it 'looks beautiful' here:
I know Jersey is an island, but I assumed there is a city (or town) rallying for a skatepark upon the island. Hope you guys get one either way. Looks beautiful there btw
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) December 4, 2021
Jersey's Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, has replied to him saying 'we're committed to building skateparks' and invited him here to try them out:
We’re committed to building skateparks @tonyhawk so will you come to our island #JerseyCI and try them out? We’d love to welcome you here ☀️ 🇯🇪
— Dep. Lyndon Farnham (@lyndonfarnham) December 4, 2021
The likes of Jersey Sport and Visit Jersey also extended invitations to visit the island.
The first skatepark is due to be built at Les Quennevais by Spring 2022.
Jersey's government says it is committed to plans to build a second park at South Hill, but delays obtaining Planning approval means work is unlikely to begin before next summer's General Election.