The place all of it started begins with Neighborhood and Unity
Once I began skating at 5 I used to be a clueless towheaded little boy with a fish-shaped Nash board that was as flat because the South Florida streets I rode…
Zero concave board, zero hills, zero skaters, zero skate parks.
I had by no means seen anybody skateboard in my group again then, and my solely level of reference was watching the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles skate on Saturday morning cartoons.
I surfed with my dad a couple of occasions per week, however he was as clueless about skateboarding as I used to be. I believe he purchased me the skateboard considering it could assist my steadiness & enhance my browsing.
At first, I didn’t skate a lot as a result of I had no concept what I used to be doing, however ultimately, I began to have a look at it as a chance for creativity.
Each trick I did I believed I had invented. I used to be tremendous proud once I discovered to guide (though in my head I referred to as it popping a wheelie).
Then I spotted I might nostril guide (MIND BLOWN!!!)!
I began to have a look at my board as a brush (or spray paint can), and the asphalt an open canvas. It wasn’t till I used to be in fifth grade that I discovered different children that skated. For six years I rode alone, after which I discovered my folks.
In the future, after a session, we went to my homie’s home to get some Kool-Help & AC, and he popped a replica of Propaganda into his VCR.
That was it; I used to be hooked.
I couldn’t consider what I used to be seeing – The probabilities of what you are able to do with a board.
Shit, I had by no means even seen a concave board earlier than (which at the moment we referred to as a double-dip board as a result of we have been clueless).
That Christmas I received a brand new setup, and I stole the half-used candles from the household introduction wreath to wax the curbs on the native elementary college.
I had discovered residence. This was residence.
We simply Try to Assist the Neighborhood
Once I began Skater Claus I used to be a clueless 30 one thing with a high-paying company job looking for a steadiness between my 9-5 and that eager for a extra easy time the place all that mattered was Buddies, Music, and Skating.
I began feverishly hoarding skateboards and components searching for the proper setup when my spouse began to say issues like
“Hey, I’m glad you’re again into skating, however what are you going to do with all these boards? You possibly can’t journey all of them, and I would like my lounge again.”
In an effort to appease the love of my life I randomly mentioned the very first thing that popped into my head which was: I don’t know, I assume I’ll give them out to children or one thing.
From there I constructed out a community of individuals to assist me notice this dream (I didn’t even know I had) of giving children in want skateboards, which developed into additionally feeding our homeless brothers and sisters in the neighborhood.
I began out with my punk rock DIY roots & handed out flyers in my hood.
I rapidly discovered methods to harness the ability of social media, and have become pals and companions with many different like-minded folks…
Lots of whom I’ve by no means met in particular person. Not solely did we set up real relationships, however we helped one another to enact optimistic social change by way of our ardour for skateboarding.
Enter Skateboarding Saves.
In my makes an attempt to develop my very own trigger by way of Instagram, I got here throughout numerous different folks that have been attempting to do related issues, had the identical ardour for skating I did, and had related concepts about how we have to defend our tradition from company pursuits centered on cash and never folks.
Of us that knew the significance of constructing a group to enact actual social change.
Of us that knew you may’t assist folks when you don’t know them and what they’re going by way of. Of us that know there’s extra worth in shopping for native to help these which might be constructing the group and never simply promoting a commodity.
I used to be honored to be invited into the Skateboarding Saves group, and to grow to be a contributor to the location (which is within the prime 10 bitches!).
For 3 years I did Skater Claus alone, & then I discovered my folks.
I don’t know precisely what Skateboarding Saves is simply but, or Skater Claus for that matter, however I do know we began a group that has come collectively to assist one another in our endeavors to share and develop skating tradition to locations that it has but to penetrate.
To attempt and make sure the tradition maintains authenticity in an atmosphere that’s actively searching for to commodify our lifestyle and put it in a field on aisle 3.
To attempt & give again to the skate group, our native communities, & to assist others to ascertain a tradition of brotherhood and sisterhood on their block.
I journey for lots of issues, however I’m proud to journey for Skateboarding Saves.
Skateboarding saved me, and lots of people I do know….
And now we’re attempting to pay it ahead!
Roll wit us, test the location (https://skateboardingsaves.org or https://skaterclaus.org), be part of the trigger.
Collectively we WILL stand up.
Even when skateboarding isn’t your explicit ardour, I do know from expertise you could find or set up a group primarily based round your ardour that may enact optimistic social change.
Take what you like, share it with others, discover a strategy to positively impression the group. It may not be straightforward, however you’re not alone. Discover your folks, I promise they’re on the market. You simply gotta look.
Take what you like, share it with others…
