As the full moon sets over the vast dry plains of South Africa's Northern Cape, the world's best skateboarders depart having competed in their sport's world championships and a group of local kids prepare to take their place on a gleaming new skate park.
The glamorous Maloof Money Cup was held this year in the town of Kimberley, best known as the location of several diamond mines but also home to impoverished communities who share little in the wealth the mines create.
The Maloof Skateboarding Global Initiative says it aims to inspire a new generation of skateboarders and provide youths in places like Kimberley with a positive activity that keeps them out of trouble.
-- Nic Bothma, European Pressphoto Agency
Editor's note: These images were taken in September 2012 but made available to NBC News today.
Nic Bothma / EPA
A crowd of mostly local spectators watch Paul Ronchetti from Great Britain competing on the mega ramp during the 2012 Skateboarding World Championships Maloof Money Cup.
Nic Bothma / EPA
A boy looks towards the crowds in the purpose-built Maloof Skate Plaza during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Skateboarding World Championships.
Nic Bothma / EPA
Six friends sharing one skateboard: (L-R) Gladwin Louw, Tsepho Tsea, Tsepho Deolo, Katlego Deolo, Letego Mothelesi and Kagiso Plaaitjie.
•Sign up for the NBCNews.com Photos Newsletter