Oman is known for a lot of things—its rugged mountains, serene wadis, and sweeping coastlines that draw travelers from around the globe. But skateboarding? It’s likely not something you’d associate with the Sultanate. Yet beneath the radar, Oman has been nurturing a thriving, underground skateboarding culture built on passion, and, above all, community.
At the heart of this movement is Shihab Al-Nasri, an Omani skateboarder, photographer, and filmmaker who’s spent over a decade documenting the highs and lows of Oman’s skate scene. “My beginning with skateboarding is quite random but very relatable to any other child during the millennial era,” he tells MILLE. What began as a personal passion—a spark ignited by hours spent playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater on his Playstation and watching Rob & Big on MTV—soon grew into a calling. As Al-Nasri got more involved, he realized he wasn’t alone. A handful of skaters (including my younger brother, who put me in touch with Al-Nasri) in Oman were carving out spaces for themselves in public plazas and streets, united by their love for skateboarding. Al-Nasri has been there from the start, camera in hand, capturing every trick, every fall, every hard-fought win that would later shape his recently-released documentary, Wheels in the Wadi.
Decades in the making, this short film is basically a time capsule of Oman’s skateboarding timeline over the past 14 years, highlighting the passion of Oman’s first generation skateboarders. It’s a tribute to a small but mighty community that has grown in a country where skateboarding is almost invisible. “The documentary shows Oman that skateboarding isn’t just a passing trend here, but a movement with real talent and spirit,” Al-Nasri says, reflecting on the project’s importance.
“When I first got into skateboarding, it was just me skating outside my house, learning tricks from YouTube,” the 25-year-old recalls. Oman’s skate scene was virtually non-existent in those early days. With no skate parks, no local skate shops, and only limited access to other skaters, the obstacles were immense. But the young creative kept at it, inspired by the thrill of the sport and a handful of online videos that gave him a sense of what skateboarding could be. Eventually, through a Facebook group, he discovered a small network of skaters in Muscat, where they bonded over shared interests and dreams for the sport’s future in Oman.
As Al-Nasri and his friends worked to establish a place for themselves, certain locations took on a special significance. “The parking lot of Sultan Center in Athaiba really has a value to me because that’s where I kind of learned how to properly do tricks and skate drops,” he shares. It was in these urban pockets that his passion for videography took root, filming creative skate videos with his friends as they experimented with the art form. “There are also spots like Qurum Park, where I first saw the community gather on weekends. That’s also where I met so many people who I know now as dear friends,” he adds. These locations became far more than skate spots—they were proving grounds, social hubs, and the very heart of Oman’s underground skate scene.
What really cemented the community was “Oman Skate,” an online platform Al-Nasri helped create, alongside fellow skater and photographer James Bringas, to connect skaters, plan events, and build a real culture around skateboarding in Oman. “We had to set goals as a community,” he explains. “We wanted to host big competitions, bring in foreign pro skaters, and grow our online page.” Through “Oman Skate,” local skaters not only found a network, but they also began to carve out a real identity. They shared photos, videos, and ideas, slowly but surely defining what it meant to be a skateboarder in Oman. The digital heartbeat of Oman’s skateboarding scene, “Oman Skate” became a space where skaters could exchange advice, arrange meetups, and, in many ways, create the scene they wanted to see. But even with the virtual platform, the challenges on the ground were real.
Without dedicated skate parks, Oman’s skaters were forced to make do with what they had. Parking lots, public plazas, and even private property became the spots where they would practice and push their limits, often getting kicked out in the process. “Ironically, not having a skate park was our best excuse to skate street spots,” Al-Nasri jokes, recalling how they turned this lack into an opportunity. Without a regular skate park, they got creative, learning to navigate urban spaces and adapting to Oman’s unique landscape.
Parents were another hurdle. With no public facilities, safety was always a concern, especially for young skaters. Many parents questioned the sport’s viability and even its influence, worrying it might lead kids down a rebellious or “counter-culture” path. In Oman, skateboarding’s association with rebellion never quite fit, Al-Nasri explains. “Here in Oman, we’ve gone out of our way to show the opposite. The guys here always focus on progression and enhancing their skills.” For Oman’s skaters, the sport is more about personal growth and community support than rebellion. It’s about building each other up, not tearing things down.
As much as he loves to skate, Al-Nasri’s true gift might be his eye for storytelling. His photography and videography have documented every stage of Oman’s skateboarding journey. Inspired by classic skate media like Thrasher and RIDE Channel, he used his skills to create videos that gave “Oman Skate” a strong visual identity. It was through his camera that he found a way to immortalize the scene, showing skaters that they’re part of something real, something that deserves recognition. Wheels in the Wadi is the culmination of this journey—a film that gives an intimate look into Oman’s skateboarding culture, highlighting the skaters who laid the groundwork for today’s community. “The documentary shows Oman that skateboarding isn’t just a passing trend here, but a movement with real talent and spirit,” the skateboarder and filmmaker says. He hopes that by sharing their story, both Omanis and international viewers will understand what makes this scene unique. “The documentary aimed to show the nation that skateboarding has been a thing in the country for some time now and that there are talents that have proven their abilities,” he explains.
For Al-Nasri, the past 14 years weren’t always smooth, but he’s very hopeful for what’s to come. New skate parks are finally being built, and Oman’s youth are showing more interest than ever. “My hopes are high for skateboarding in Oman as long as it is in good hands,” he says. More skate shops, more skate parks, and hopefully some financial support could help take the scene to the next level. The documentary and “Oman Skate” are just the beginning. He envisions a future where Oman’s skateboarding scene can stand proudly on the international stage, recognized for its unique story and homegrown talent. Through every photo, film, and event, Al-Nasri has been the steady hand behind Oman’s skateboarding scene, shaping its story and inspiring the next generation to grab a board and join the ride.
His advice to young skaters? “Stick to the grounds and respect the ones that paved the way without cutting any corners,” he says.
