Cotton Fest 2025 was nothing short of electric—and this year, we at Extreme Sports Action (ESA) decided to take in the vibes firsthand. While our sister platform Urban Lifestyle originally received the invite, once on the ground, we knew ESA needed to be part of the action too. With skateboarding becoming an essential part of Cotton Fest‘s cultural experience, it was only right that we showed up and soaked in the energy of one of South Africa’s most exciting youth-driven festivals.
At the heart of the skate action was Perfect Weather Skate Foundation, an inspiring force in the local skate scene, led by the passionate and ever-committed Dada Marumo. The foundation has been building momentum since its inception, having hosted its first event, Freedom To Skate, exactly four years ago on Freedom Day.
“We hosted our first skate event ‘Freedom To Skate’ four years ago today on Freedom Day. We’d like to thank the collaborations and partnerships we’ve made during the course of the years to uplift skateboarding in our community.”
Their recent Instagram post perfectly captured the journey:
This year, they took things up a notch with the Mini Ramp Jam at Cotton Fest. The competition was fierce, the tricks were clean, and the crowd was all in.
“Cotton Fest was a Mini Ramp Jam was a Vibe. Congratulations to the winners and thank you everyone for pulling through,”.
they shared online—and they couldn’t have put it better
From where we stood, the Mini Ramp Jam wasn’t just about landing the hardest tricks. It was a celebration of community, consistency, and culture. Skateboarders of all styles and backgrounds pulled through, each bringing their flavor to the ramp, showing why this sport continues to grow in South Africa.
Big ups to the team that made the competition smooth and fair:
MC: Sam Khumalo
Judges: Dean R Marais, Shaun Burger, and Charl Jensel
From passionate competitors to hyped-up spectators, Cotton Fest 2025 served up everything a skate comp should: tight runs, gritty comebacks, and pure love for the sport.
Skateboarding might not be the headliner of Cotton Fest, but for many of us, it was the moment. The energy, the grind, the community—it reminded us exactly why ESA exists: to spotlight the movement and moments that define the extreme sports scene in South Africa.
