Since 2003
Summer at the Skatepark Organizer: Kootenay Family Place Program:Summer at the Skatepark Location:Castlegar Rotary Skatepark, Castlegar, BC Funders: BC Gaming, Castlegar Recreation Commission Skatepark Maintenance: Castlegar and District Recreation Department Equipment: Skull Skates and S-One Helmets Curriculum: Drop In To Skateboarding Coaches: Ty Smith, Spencer Legebokoff and Cory Strom
Summer at the Skatepark
Summer at the Skatepark is a free drop in learn to skateboard program. This program began in the summer of 2011 after a need arose for adult presence at the skatepark. The program provides participants with important skateboarding skills. Additionally free skateboards, helmets and pads are available to participants. SATSP is unique in the Kootenay’s. We do not know of anything else in Canada. In 2017 the program is a vital free recreational activity for children, youth and families.
Curriculum Skaters are guided through skateboard skills at their own pace. Coaches begin with foundation skills such as stance, pushing, stopping and safely “falling”. As the skaters confidence increased, the coaches then provided assistance with skills in the fundamental level such as kicks turns, pumping, dropping in, bank riding. At the “expert” level skaters work through skills such as kickflips, grinds, airs and more. We have observed with correct instruction, using safety equipment and reinforcing skatepark etiquette skateboarding is a very safe and fun activity for all ages.
Stephanie helping with stance
Ty coaching how to ride transition
https://issuu.com/skateboarding/docs/drop_in_manual_
Female Coach: Stephanie Scott Accredited skateboard coach Stephanie Scott, of Trail BC, showed amazing patience and enthusiasm for coaching. As a female skater the girls particularly were thrilled to roll with her daily.
Volunteers Local youth are excited to see the program at the skatepark. Often they were there early to help set up and in the afternoon for pack up.
Testimonials “Both my kids, age 3 + 8, were able to benefit from participating in the program. The coaching was safe, consistent, organized and fun for the kids. I was very pleased to see my kids progress weekly in the skateboard skills, confidence and motivation because of the great guidance they received. We have been coming to this program the past 2 years and look forward to it next year. Thanks so much guys, great job!” “Fantastic idea for kids of all ages great instructors in putting confidence in kids not as good as others in sport activities. grandsons say it a lot of fun. so eager to come each day.” “I love the Free drop in skateboarding program! So does my daughter Laura. The only reason we tried out this program was that it was free. We discovered Laura has the strength and the love for skateboarding. It is the one program she looks forward to every summer. She would skate until she dropped. I think it helps with her gymnastics in the rest of the year!”
“Thank-you very much for providing an opportunity for our children to learn about and experience skateboarding. They both developed skill and confidence immediately due to the quality coaches at the park. Very grateful, Barb Mackay” “It is a great program for my 8 and 9 year old boys. We were able to spend a long summer holiday with this excellent skateboard program. Instructors were kind, friendly and knowledgeable. Also they know how to teach different ages of children. My boys learnt not just how to skate but respect other people at the park and the skatepark” https://www.facebook.com/summerattheskatepark
Program review 2011 -16 Program numbers
2011 Stats
2012 Stats
2013 Stats
2014 Program stats
2014 Program stats
2014 program stats
2016 Stats
Social Media
Facebook plays an instrumental role in sending the program message out daily. Successes were shared with, and within, the followers networks.
Media Online ● ● ● ● ● ●
ShawTV http://youtu.be/7rUqUkEPJt8 http://www.skullskates.com/2014/08/25/kootenays-skateboard-classes/ http://www.castlegarnews.com/sports/273059261.html http://castlegarsource.com/event/summer-skatepark-castlegar-rotary-skatepark#.VCyW2PldWS o http://lonesheep.ca/event/summer-skatepark-castlegar-rotary-skatepark http://www.castlegarnews.com/community/277800671.html
Videos ● ● ● ● ● ● FMI ● ●
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEkE4DFOEGs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBW-vgeKcEw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjHl7ZSdCaM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAgo7yjoFMA http://youtu.be/K27blP-v1Ek http://youtu.be/RaR0x3ShIE8
https://www.facebook.com/summerattheskatepark summerattheskatepark@gmail.com
Summer at the Skatepark 2014 since 2011