PROFESSIONAL skateboarders from Byron Bay are coming to Balranald on October 7 for a Community Skate Workshop and Jam.
The skateboarders are part of Australia’s largest skate event company, Totem, which has been running skateboarding events throughout New South Wales since 2010.
The Community Skate Workshop and Jam in Balranald will be broken into three different sessions on the day at the Balranald Skate Park: a beginner skate class, a mentoring session for intermediate skaters, and skate and scooter jams.
The sessions will be facilitated by pro-skateboarders Nixen Osborne and Nakula Boag.
Founder of Totem Nigel Cameron said children of any skill level could register for the workshops as everything from learning how to stand on a skateboard to ollies and kickflips would be explored on the day.
“We want to encourage kids with little to no experience to join us,” Mr Cameron said.
“A lot of them start out really shy but they soon warm up after they see how safe and encouraging the environment is.
“We start out on the grass with the beginner session and teach the kids how to start, stop and balance before they can go on to try any tricks.
“The main thing we try to focus on is safety and the correct techniques to riding a skateboard.”
With a background in youth work, Mr Cameron has been running workshops in hundreds of skateparks all over NSW for the past 15 years in the hope of empowering young people.
He said having the workshops in regional areas was important to him.
“Growing up in the regional town of Leeton, I started skateboarding pretty late at about 13 or 14 years old,” he said.
“I wish I had had someone to guide me through skateboarding at a younger age.
“But I’m glad I get to bring my passion to regional towns like Balranald, because kids are getting to engage in a new hobby for the first time or they are getting the opportunity to be mentored in something they really love.
“But most importantly, conducting these workshops helps communities connect at the skatepark and gets kids engaged in something from an early age.
“Over the years we have worked with more than 70 councils in NSW and have built really strong relationships with the community.
“Our instructors remember the kids by name.”
Balranald Shire Library manager Janaya Gaston said this would be the second year with the Totem crew in Balranald.
Mrs Gaston said the workshops were being held in the community thanks to a NSW Government grant.
“It will be really exciting to have them back again,” she said.
“They provide the kids with all the equipment, which includes helmets and kneecaps.
“They go through the whole lot with the kids, and some of the stuff the instructors can do is phenomenal.”
While the workshops are free, parents must register their children to participate as there are a limited number of spots available for each workshop.
Children must be six years or older to participate.
Registrations can be made online at: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/balranald-skatepark-free-community-skate-workshops-jam-tickets-965906330837
