A new summer camp in Thunder Bay, Ontario, is helping kids ramp up their skateboarding skills

Briar Kolobutin has one piece of advice for kids new to the slopes: “Just bring some sanitary pads and take a deep breath.”

The eight-year-old is one of about 20 youngsters participating in the first-ever Sk8 Collab summer camp in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at the skate park at Prince Arthur’s Landing.

The program is the first community collaboration between the charity Our Kids Count and the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS). Aimed at youth ages eight through twelve, it offers two-week summer camps to learn the basics of skateboarding.

The camps are open to anyone regardless of ability or requirement, removing the barrier to participation that many families face at expensive camps, says Margaret Hajdinjak, program manager at Our Kids Count.

What I learned from skateboarding growing up is that you learn patience, confidence, resilience and perseverance – because it’s a very difficult sport.– Const. Greg Bago, Thunder Bay Police

“We wanted to give the kids a chance to learn how to skate, but also give them the equipment to do it. So at the end of the week, they can keep all of their equipment so they can get on with this great sport. “

Const. Greg Bago was instrumental in getting the program off the ground and is also one of the camp’s main instructors.

A member of the agency’s community-based response and engagement unit, Bago has been a skateboarder for most of his life. After becoming a police officer, he said, he wanted to find a way to give back.

“What I learned from skateboarding growing up was that you learn patience, confidence, resilience and perseverance – because it’s a really hard sport,” said Bago.

“You fall a lot and it’s not very forgiving to fall on concrete or pavement, and then get back up and keep doing that — so it can blend into other areas of your life where when the going gets tough, you You can rely on those skills you’ve learned as a skateboarder to push yourself through.”

The camps received funding from the City of Thunder Bay community, the youth and culture funding program, and the Thunder Bay Police Services Board. Our Kids Count recruited a number of at-risk youth who would benefit from the program, and a number of volunteers have worked to ensure everyone stays safe while having fun.

The first week ends today and the next camp with 20 more skateboarders will run from August 14-18.

Make friends, master moves

Charlie Owen, 11, said he had been skateboarding since childhood. He joined camp to learn the ollie, an essential jumping technique that later lends itself to more complex tricks.

So far so good, Charlie said, making new friends and getting good tips from his teachers.

“I like to go fast,” Charlie said. “Just driving around.”

Briar Kolobutin received a special visit from her best friend, Stella Hodder, also 8, during Thursday’s session. The two have been skateboarding for three to four years.

“I like that you can just be free and go anywhere and not have people telling you what to do. You can just be yourself here,” Briar said of the sport.

“There’s really nothing you can do wrong or right on a skateboard, so that’s what I love about it,” added Hodder.

Yes, there are falls, but scrapes and bruises do not matter much to the two friends.

“You’ll fall, but you don’t have to be nervous,” Hodder said. “Just do what’s comfortable and make sure you don’t push yourself too hard because if you do you can get really hurt. And just wear a helmet if you’re new.”