Local skateboarder teams with school district to bring skateboarding to small communities

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Local skateboarder Cole Andrews is teaming up with School District 60 to give kids from small communities in the region a chance to engage in skateboarding.

On June 16th, Andrews and pro skateboarder and YouTuber Ben Degros are inviting the community to head to the Pomeroy Sport Centre to skate with pro skateboarders and learn about “micro parks.”

“We’re going to hold an info session after lunch about building micro parks, which are affordable parks in small communities,” said Andrews. 

In February, Andrews coordinated an event where Degros taught kids from Dr. Kearney Middle School how to build skateboard equipment.

Andrews believes students from small, rural communities in the region should have the same access and opportunity to take up skateboarding as a hobby as kids who live in the city. 

“We just want to introduce kids to skateboarding that otherwise might not get the opportunity,” said Andrews. 

Andrews says next month’s event will begin with open skateboarding in the Pomeroy Sport Centre. 

“We will bring ramps and stuff into the building for kids to skate on,” said Andrews.

According to Andrews, the event also features 30 openings for kids ages 8 and up to receive a free skateboarding lesson from Andrews, Degros, and pro skateboarder Ben Patterson. 

Andrews says it’s important to expose kids to alternative means of exercise and sport.

“Not all kids are into traditional sports,” said Andrews

“It takes as much talent to skateboard as it does to play any other sport, and it’s a great activity that can become a lifelong hobby.”

More information about the event will be posted on School District 60’s website and the City of Fort St. John’s Facebook page in the near future.