SSWSC Summer Skateboard Camps

Information and Fact Sheet

Beginner Session 1: June 14-30

Hello and Welcome to our summer skate camps!

Thanks for signing up for the skate program.  We’re really excited to work with your child and get them stoked on skateboarding.  The goal of our program is to help kids learn skateboarding in a safe and supervised environment.  Please take a minute to look over the following information and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER 1 PRIORITY

While we encourage each kid to challenge themselves to learn new things, we always keep safety in mind. We only ask the kids to try things they are capable of and are ready for.

Dates: June 14-30, 2010

Days: Mondays and Wednesday

Time: 9am – 11am

Locations: Camp will take place at both the Howelsen and the new Bear River Concrete Skatepark.

Please refer to attached class schedule for session locations

For days class is at the Bear River Skatepark, please plan ahead for dropoff and pickup as the walk to the park takes a few minutes.

Directions:          Howelsen Skatepark is located at the base of Howelsen Hill.  From Lincoln Ave, take 5^th street towards the Yampa River.  Cross the bridge and the railroad tracks then take a right at the stop sign.  Keep following the road through one more stop sign, go straight as the road curves to the left.  Skatepark is in the parking lot.

Bear River Concrete Park is on the west end of town.  There is no direct driving access to the park!  For pickup and dropoff, park at the base of the James Brown Bridge and take the Yampa Core Trail under the bridge.  Skatepark is at the end of the trail. For longer term parking, use the Stockbridge Transit Center and take the Core Trail.

Coaches:

Jon Casson          970-846-1599     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Primary contact)

Scott Anfang      970-846-4835     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Luke Kessler       970-846-8280     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rainouts: In the event of rain, the coach will call all participants by 8:30am to inform them if class is cancelled.  We’ll determine an appropriate makeup day at that time.

If it starts raining during class time, we’ll make a determination to continue class for the day or not.  If it starts raining more than halfway through a session, we will not schedule a makeup day.

Equipment Checklist and Tips

Skateboard (required)

• Decks (the wooden piece you stand on) generally vary in range between 7 and 8.25 inches.
• Width choice is mostly a personal decision, although smaller skaters (especially smaller footed skaters) will find a deck under 7.5 inches makes it easier to turn and learn tricks.
• Width should be roughly the same as the size of the foot with a little bit of the toe and heel extending over the edges of the board.
• If you’re buying your child’s first skateboard- a complete deck that includes trucks (axles) and wheels is the best bet. These usually run around $100.
• Give the wheels a spin and make sure the spin freely. They should keep spinning for several seconds.
• Trucks can be loosened or tightened by a bolt in the middle of each axel.  You can adjust ½ turn at a time until you get the desired setting and feel.

Helmet (required)

• The helmet should sit squarely on the head with the front of the helmet low on the brow to protect the forehead.
• The padding should exert firm, uniform pressure all around the head so that the skin on the forehead moves as the helmet is rotated from left to right and from front to back.

Skate Shoes (required)

• Invest in a decent pair of skateboard shoes. Skate shoes should have a flat sole with fine, recessed tread to grip the top of the board.
• Tennis, running, hiking shoes or sandals are really bad for skateboarding!  The tread and sole of the shoe are typically “taller” than a skate shoe which hinders the ability to balance and control the board.

Knee and Elbow Pads (highly recommended)

• Skateboard pads are typically a foam and elastic sleeve that slips over the rider’s knee joint.  Pads will have a hard plastic shell covering the kneecap or elbow.
• Pads should fit snugly around the joint and not slide up or down the limb.

Wrist Guards (highly recommended)

• Similar to a wrist brace, these slip over the thumb covering the base of the hand up to the mid forearm.  They typically have a plastic brace on both the top and bottom of the arm to protect the wrist from bending either way. Velcro straps secure the wrist guards to the arm
• Fit should be snug without being too tight.  The plastic strips should be squarely on top and bottom of the arm and the velcro straps shouldn’t be too long.

Where do I get equipment?

Local

Urbane Steamboat         970-879-9169     703 Lincoln Ave Suite B101

Skate Church                     970-846-6755     2851 Riverside Plaza #260

Online

Skateboard Warehouse                                                www.skatewarehouse.com

CCS                                                                        www.ccs.com

SSWSC Summer Skateboard Programs

Skateboarding is a fun summer activity to enhance balance and coordination for snowboarding or just to enjoy pushing around the skatepark. Our summer skateboard programs are designed to provide a supervised, instructional environment in the skatepark that allows kids to learn new skills in a safe and comfortable setting.

We’ll use both skateparks in Steamboat for our sessions.  A schedule will be sent to all participants prior to each session noting locations and topics for each day.  Bear River Skatepark is the new Steamboat Concrete Skatepark located west of town behind the new Routt County Justice Center.  Access to the park is via the Yampa River Core Trail- follow the trail under the James Brown Bridge to the end and the skatepark is right there.  Registration for all skateboard programs is available in the main SSWSC office at Howelsen Hill during normal office hours (Mon-Fri 9-5).

Skateboard Beginner

This program is for the child who has limited or no experience in skateboarding.  Skill focuses include balancing on the board, turning and basic techniques to roll over common features in a skatepark.

Cost: $110 per session

• Program is geared towards beginner skateboarders ages 7-12
• Helmets are required for participation.  Elbow, knee and wrist guards are highly recommended
• Participants need their own skateboards and equipment (shoes, pads, helmets, etc)

Skateboard Intermediate

This program is for the child who can stand up on a skateboard, stay in control, roll around a park and wants to advance their skills.  Skill focuses include balancing on the board, turning and basic techniques to roll over common features in a skatepark.

Cost: $110 per session

• Program is geared towards beginner or intermediate skateboarders ages 7-12
• Helmets are required for participation.  Elbow, knee and wrist guards are highly recommended
• Participants need their own skateboards and equipment (shoes, pads, helmets, etc)

Colorado Skateboard Tour

The Colorado Skateboard Tour is for intermediate to advanced skateboarders who are looking to explore other skateparks around Colorado.  Participants must be comfortable on a variety of skatepark features and willing to try new things.  We’ll visit skateparks in the Aspen area, Denver/Front Range, Summit County and Ft Collins.  These are long days in a van with a ton of physical activity, skaters should be self-sufficient and mature enough to handle a long day travelling and skating.

Cost: $75 per trip

• Departures and returns are from Howelsen Hill parking lot.
• Must be an intermediate or advanced skateboarder comfortable on a variety of features
• Helmets are required for participation.  Elbow, knee and wrist guards are highly recommended
• Participants need their own skateboards and equipment (shoes, pads, helmets, etc)

2010 Summer Skateboard Program