‘Why I Skate’ How to Get Started Purchase proper gear to ensure that your son or daughter has the safest skateboarding experiences possible. Your child will need: Elbow pads ($14-$30) Wrist guards ($13-$25) Knee pads ($20-$40) Skateboard ($150-$180) Helmet ($25 or more) When buying your skateboard, make sure to purchase at a store where employees have a good knowledge of skateboarding. The size of board should be matched to the size and weight of your child. Purchasing the wrong size skateboard could lead to injuries or cause damage to the board. Beginners should take lessons to learn safe skating techniques. Kennesaw Skatepark offers periodic group lessons and Brook Run Skatepark has group classes 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays. Skateboard shops sometimes offer group lessons and can recommend instructors for individual lessons.
More Parks to Skate
Gwinnett Parks and Rec.
Great for Younger Kids Fowler Park: This suburban park has specific hours for ages 12 and younger only. Mon., Tues., Thurs. 4-6 p.m. and Sat. 9-11 a.m. 30,000 square feet. Cumming. Free. 770-886-4088. fowlerpark.com.
Go with the ‘Flow’ Brook Run Skate Park: This park has concrete bowls and half-pipes in a “flow” style, which combines elements of bowl parks and street plazas. Skaters must sign a waiver. Children 11 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 27,000 square feet. Dunwoody. Free. 678-382-6850. dunwoodyga.gov (then Parks and Recreation Department).
Skate a Big Bowl Skate Park of Athens: An outdoor skate park with a 10-foot bowl as the central feature. Children 11 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 12,000 square feet. Athens. Free. 706-613-3991. athensclarkecounty.com/524/Skate-Park
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n Glenloch Recreation Complex Skatepark A park accommodating skaters of all ages and skill levels, which was designed with input from local skaters. 4,050 square feet. Peachtree City. Free. 770-631-2525. peachtree-city.org/ (click on Recreation & Special Events under Activities, then Recreation Facilities). n McKoy Skate Park This park offers pipes, rails and ramps. Decatur. Free. 404-377-7231. decaturga.com (click on City Departments, Active Living, City Parks) Four in Gwinnett County: gwinnettcounty.com (click on Guide to Your Parks) n Bay Creek Skate Park Skate park with skateboard and BMX ramps. Good for all skill levels, with a bowl and a plaza. 20,000 square feet. Loganville. Free. 770-978-5271. n DeShong Skate Park Features a twisting and winding streetscape to explore, complete with stairs and grinding rails. 10,000 square feet. Stone Mountain. Free. 770-822-8840. n Duncan Creek Park This skate complex is the largest skate park available in Gwinnett County, offering community users a safe environment to practice their sport and multiple bowls to choose from. 20,000 square feet. Dacula. Free. 678-277-0855.
Nico Cardenas, 13, of Dunwoody started skateboarding about a year ago and loves the sport. Like most kids who learn skateboard skills, he has no plans to enter competitions. Atlanta Parent asked him to talk about his hobby.
Q: A:
What’s your favorite part of skateboarding?
I like riding on the street and sidewalks to clear my head. It’s relaxing and nice to feel the breeze on my face.
Q: A:
How did you learn to skate?
I went to a camp called Camp Blue Ridge. There’s a skatepark there, and I chose skateboarding as one of my activities, where they had instructors to teach us. Learning to skate was one of the best moments I’ve ever had.
Q: A:
Where do you like to skate?
I’ll skate on the street if it’s empty, or on the sidewalks. If I want to do tricks, I go to the local skatepark (Brook Run).
Q: A:
What has been the most challenging part so far?
As a beginner, just learning to balance was really difficult. As I’ve gotten better, I’d say learning some of the tricks I do has been hard.
Q: A:
Do you have any tips for beginners?
Don’t try to learn by yourself! Ask a pro to help teach you, maybe at a skatepark if there’s one near you.
n Ronald Reagan Skatepark The 10,000-square-foot street plaza skatepark is within Gwinnett County’s Ronald Reagan Park. Lawrenceville. Free. 678-277-0179.
Family Fun Guide
April 2019 Atlanta Parent 67