Directed by Swiss photographer Yann Gross, Uganda Skateboard Union is a short documentary about skateboarding in Uganda, which is rad on about 12 levels. Watching the video, it’s crazy to see the kids skateboarding on dirt roads and lots, and some asphalt roads with potholes bigger than IED craters. Filmed whie Gross was making a photography book about Uganda skateboarding titled Kitintale, Uganda Skateboard Union is “the story of some youngsters who were influenced by a game they saw on TV and decided to construct themselves the only skatepark of East Africa in their neighborhood, since there wasn’t any concrete around. With no assistance from government or large NGO’s, kids from Uganda took significant steps to overcome boredom and poverty throught skateboarding. Built from the bottom up, the grassroots construction of the first skatepark engender a sense of pride and empowerment in the community of Kitintale. By learning how to skate, the kids developped a sense of belonging to a community and realized a dream. Skateboarding keeps the youth busy and combats the developement of negative habits.” There’s really not much to not like about this story — give it a peep.

Hit the Jump to see a flip video of Yann Gross’ Kitintale book, which comes packaged transparent silk-screened protection bag. Nice stuff…

Kitintale from Yann Gross on Vimeo.

Kitintale the book from Yann Gross on Vimeo.