Skate Revibe Photo gallery: young athletes on board for launch of new Toowoomba skatepark
After watching Olympic skateboarding on TV, three young Toowoomba boys decided one day that could be them, so they jumped at the idea of a new skatepark in town.
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After watching Olympic skateboarding on TV, three young Toowoomba boys decided one day that could be them, so they jumped at the idea of a new skatepark in town.
Toowoomba’s newest skatepark opened up at J.J.Leadbetter park on Saturday through the Skate Revibe launch event organised by Summit Skateboarding, Songline Skateboarding, and the Toowoomba Regional Council.
The event featured a demo by professional Gold Coast skateboarder Dani Campbell and free skateboarding clinics teaching kids the fundamentals.
Jacob Hawksworth brought his three boys to the event on Saturday after they got into skateboarding about a year ago.
Knox, 10, and his younger brothers Hank, 8, and Maverick, 6, wanted to start skateboarding after watching the sport in the last Olympics.
“It’s pretty impressive to see what some of the Olympians can do on a skateboard,” Mr Hawksworth said.
“I think it’s a pretty natural thing for kids to want to aspire to pick up those skills and have a crack at it themselves.”
Being self-taught, Knox and his brothers took up the opportunity to learn from coaches at the event.
“I think he enjoys having the guys that are more experienced getting hands on and teaching the kids,” Mr Hawksworth said.
“Our kids never feel like they aren’t welcome by the more experienced people using it (the skatepark).”
More than 50 kids took part in the skateboarding clinics led by Summit Skateboarding coaches at the event.
Josh Weribone from Songline Skateboarding said Olympic dreams weren’t out of reach for local skateboarders.
“Skateboarding is different these days to what it was before it was in the Olympics,” he said.
“We could have the next Australian representative skateboarding at the Olympics.
“The sky is the limit.”
Mr Weribone said he hoped the park would create an active space for kids to get out and try something new.
“Hopefully that is going to inspire kids to pick up a skateboard – or I guess a BMX or scooter,” he said.
He said they had plans to start up regular competitions at the new park.
Gallery of the event:
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