Dec. 5 - Dec. 18, 2015
SanTan
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FAMILY FUN “An award-winning publication”
SanTan Sun News
The indoor skate park can be a little overwhelming at first. Submitted photo
MERRY Be a sport CHRISTMAS! Try something new at Kids That Rip By Kimberly Hosey
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The predominant look on my son’s face as we walked through the new facilities of Kids That Rip Family Action Sports Centers at 1050 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler, was intimidation—followed closely by excitement. I can’t say I blame him on either count. With sprawling space and equipment for playing, partying and working out—as well as a huge bowl, huge skating and parkour areas, trampolines, a ninja warrior course and more—the indoor skate park and sports center can be a bit overwhelming at first glance. After we spent a few minutes there, however, we began to feel excited by the options and welcomed by the community atmosphere. Kids That Rip just opened its newest center in Chandler this fall, and it’s already drawing crowds. From morning workouts to teen house parties, you’ll find something for everyone in your family. The welcoming atmosphere, expertise of the staff and world-class facilities attract a wide range of skill levels to KTR—a quality welcomed and fostered by the center, said David Bower (known to many longtime KTR-ers as “Coach Dave”), general manager of the Chandler facility. Even seating areas feature large benches and stools as well as indoor decor to make the sidelines feel more like a hangout than, well, the sidelines. “We want people to come together,” Bower said, emphasizing the family approach of the center, both in terms of family friendliness and in building a larger “family” while working out your bodies. Kids That Rip is an idea and institution founded in 2007 by Geoff Eaton. Kids That Rip Skateboard School in Mesa, a 40,000-square-foot playground and training facility, has already produced eight X Games appearances, two Guinness World Records and more from kids still in grade or middle school. That’s certainly more impressive than my biggest skateboard accomplishment to date: staying on the board for about 20 seconds. With franchises potentially going global, it’s an idea that’s taken off as successfully as its skaters. Monthly memberships cost $99 a month for an individual and $199 a month for a family, or you can play till you drop on a day pass for $20 or $40 for a family. Membership includes just about
everything but the cafe’s food (which world, surveying the dodge ball court and you can purchase on site and eat in marveling as a pint-sized skater nailed a community-style seating rail slide and headed for designed to foster a the world’s deepest indoor community atmosphere). bowl, my son was ready to With entrance, guests have try the trampolines. access to open play as well He stowed his shoes as unlimited educational in a cubby (any valuables clinics. such as cellphones can be Not everyone’s ready checked at the front desk), to go pro, and that’s fine hopped over the protective with KTR. pads onto one of many “What we’ve found individual trampolines is that there’s a small and jumped—and I mean percentage who really jumped. With several want to take it to the trampolines and two next level, but most kids professional-quality, superjust want to come play,” bouncy spots, kids can get Kids That Rip is a world-class facility. Submitted photo Bower said. extra spring and air in each To accommodate both jump—whether they’re groups, he said, the center looking to try some tricks, offers both ongoing open build coordination or just gym hours and specialized jump. classes taught by experts. With bouncing under Some kids “graduate” his belt, my son headed to from casual open-gym the edge of the jumping play to the tougher area for some more serious classes, which are often leaping. Here, staffers are taught by professionalready to spot or supervise level instructors. kids as they try everything If you or your kids from a simple jump and David Hosey checks out the selection at are looking for expert seat drop to front and Kids That Rip. STSN photo by Kimberly training, you can find back flips, twists and Hosey beginner, intermediate handsprings. My son opted and advanced classes in tumbling, skating for the former, and ended up with more and scootering, parkour, cheer, trampoline of a belly/back flop than a seat drop, but and Ninja training. hey, he landed in a professional airbag, like You can also bring a team for a dodge stunt performers use. That’s gotta count for ball tournament on select days, or join a some cred, right? team. (Don’t worry; they use foam balls.) I don’t know if my son will ever be Mini-sports are offered for athletes 6 and popping an ollie—or even standing younger, with offerings including Mom and confidently on a skateboard—but we still Me, Workout and Waffles, Parkour Obstacle found tons to love here. He’s not sure if he Course Adventure, leagues and Parents wants to come back to learn scooter tricks, Night Out. Adults are covered, too, with to fly into that airbag a few more hundred weightlifting, combine training and boot times or to train like a Ninja, but he’s camp offered several times each week for definitely sure he’ll be back. everyone 14 and older. Visit Kids That Rip (KTR Centers) at The center also offers special nights for kidsthatrip.com to find out more, check the BMX riders Mondays and Wednesdays from schedule for open and special event hours, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., as well as teen house sign a waiver and register for classes. parties every Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Private birthday parties, complete with a party host, pizzas, sodas KIDS THAT RIP FAMILY ACTION and full access, also are available. SPORTS CENTERS After taking in the parkour course 1050 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler (“Geez, Mom, you didn’t know what (480) 718-5872 that was?”), watching some talented www.ktr-centers.com tumblers on the largest air floor in the