In this January 11, 2018 photo, an artist decorates the floor with a mural during the inauguration of a new recreational space for skateboarders, created in an abandoned gym at the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. The mural on the wall is by Kaya, the late son of Rene Lecour, who stands at right, who founded the skating association “Amigo Skate Cuba” with his skate enthusiast son who wanted to find a way to support Cuba's emerging skater community. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, a skater trains inside an abandoned gym that was converted into a recreational space for skateboarders, the day of its inauguration inside the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. Cuba does not have a formal federation for the sport and the island has no place to buy skateboards, which would be prohibitively expensive for most Cubans in any case. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, a skater carries a new Cuban flag motiffed skateboard, donated by Humanity Stoked, during the inauguration a new recreational space for skateboarders, created out of an abandoned gym at the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. “It means a lot that spaces like this are created, that it hasn't remained a hidden urban sport”, said Hector Jorge, a 31-year-old skateboard aficionado. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, people arrive to an abandoned gym recently converted into a space for skateboarders, the day of its inauguration inside the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. Cuba's small but exuberant skateboard movement has carved out a new space for itself, helped by a Cuban-American skate shop owner. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, a young girl carries her Cuba flag motif skateboard to the inauguration ceremony of a new recreational space for skateboarders, created in an abandoned gym at the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. Participants ranged in age from 8 to 50. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, a skater jumps a ramp during the inauguration of a new recreational space for skateboarders, created in an abandoned gym at the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. Foreign skateboard enthusiasts supply their Cuban counterparts with boards and other equipment. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, a skater practices inside an abandoned gym that was converted into a recreational space for skateboarders, the day of its inauguration inside the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. The park is getting daily use, and a national convention of Cuban skateboarders is planned for June. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, skaters gather for the inauguration of a new recreational space for skateboarders, created in an abandoned gym at the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. “It's a big family and it doesn't matter what kind of music you listen to, how you dress, whatever. When everybody's skating, everybody's equal”, said Yobel Perez, a 28-year-old skater. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, a skater rolls by as others rest inside an abandoned gym that was converted into a recreational space for skateboarders, the day of its inauguration inside the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution, as the sun sets in Havana, Cuba. Skateboarding apparently began with a handful of people in the 1980s and there are now hundreds of enthusiasts. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, skaters gather for the inauguration of a new recreational space for skateboarders, created in an abandoned gym at the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. Cuba's government allowed the creation of another, now-deteriorating skate facility at the Metropolitan Park more than a decade ago. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, Canadian skater Chris Dyer paints a skateboard inside an abandoned gym that was converted into a recreational space for skateboarders, the day of its inauguration inside the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. For the skate park's grand opening, musicians performed short free concerts while young skaters got 60 newly donated skateboards and painted old ones. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, a skater jumps during the inauguration of a new recreational space for skateboarders, created in an abandoned gym at the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. Using small donations from individuals and a handful of charities, a group of Cuban skaters poured concrete bowls and ramps to create the facility for skaters. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)





In this January 11, 2018 photo, a young model and a member of the lighting crew use as their backdrop an abandoned gym that was converted into space for skateboarders, the day of the space's inauguration inside the Educational complex Ciudad Libertad, a former military barracks that the late Fidel Castro turned into a school complex after the revolution in Havana, Cuba. Cuba's official sports establishment once took a dim view of skaters, but over the past 15 years it has tolerated, and occasionally encouraged, skateboarding. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)