StreetWise visits the regional town of Junee
22 April 2008 Junee skateboarders learn from the best in Australia
Last Update: Thursday, January 24, 2008. 2:36pm AEDT
By Shannon Byrne
Listen to Audio: Skateboarding clinic in Junee - MP3
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Last Update: Thursday, January 24, 2008. 2:36pm AEDT
By Shannon Byrne
Listen to Audio: Skateboarding clinic in Junee - MP3
Next time you pass a skate park or a skater in the street; don't be in a hurry to curse the young kids pounding the pavement. For many years the sport of skateboarding has lived with the image of a 'dirty scene' but as you read on you will appreciate the time and practice some youngsters put into their sport. Who knows you may even change your view on the sport of skateboarding, and next time you may stop and admire, the skill and dedication that goes into becoming a good skateboarder - or even a famous one that makes a decent living from it.
Young skateboarding enthusiasts, girls and boys aged between 6-15yrs, were given the opportunity to attend the first skateboard clinic 'Streetwise' in Junee this week. The youngsters were eager to impress, and in some cases 'show off' their tricks and balance on their boards. Australian skateboarder and coach Dougal Smith was impressed with the talent Junee and surrounding areas had on offer.
"I've got to give a call out to the Riley boys for being probably the most dominant skaters around here. There's been a fair few local rippers" he said.
The young 'Riley boys' Smith was referring to are fifteen year old Sam Riley and his two younger brothers, Jack (12) and Tom (11). The 3 boys have been skating at the Junee skate park for over 5 years and their mum, Di, was at the clinic to watch her three talented boys, and said she is happy that they are all into skateboarding.
"It's pretty good; it's good that they're probably all into the same sport. It does make it a bit easier" she said.
On your first visit to a skate park you quickly become aware of the dangers of being a skateboarder and or a spectator. Not only do the young skaters have to land their tricks on a ramp, they now have to battle it out with kids on bikes and scooters that use the same ramp; And if they don't pull off the perfect landing a wayward skateboard can do alot of injury. It was good to see all of the Riley boys were padded up for the occasion, their mum says she is relieved that it is 'cool' to wear protection- as the bigger the tricks, the harder the falls. Di admits her boys have had their fair share of injuries.
"Mainly ankles, I've got them pads for Christmas, for when they try new tricks" Ms Riley said.
Standing amongst the young boarders at the skate park you could quickly forget that you are in a regional town of NSW, it could be any skate park around Australia, or even America. The language used to describe the tricks and maneuvers on the boards, although foreign to visitors, is the language used amongst the athletes- and while the youngest Riley struggled to explain 'rock the fakey' and '50/50' as a trick he was very impressive at demonstrating them.
So the next time you hear someone use the phrase 'gnarly', 'shout out' or 'ripper' you can be sure they grew up with a skateboard in hand, and if you want to sound like you know what you are talking about ask if they know how to 'Ollie' or 'Rock the fakey'.
If you are interested in learning how to 'ollie' or just appreciate the skill, click onto the attached video as skateboarding coach Dougal Smith teaches the art of an 'ollie'.
Young skateboarding enthusiasts, girls and boys aged between 6-15yrs, were given the opportunity to attend the first skateboard clinic 'Streetwise' in Junee this week. The youngsters were eager to impress, and in some cases 'show off' their tricks and balance on their boards. Australian skateboarder and coach Dougal Smith was impressed with the talent Junee and surrounding areas had on offer.
"I've got to give a call out to the Riley boys for being probably the most dominant skaters around here. There's been a fair few local rippers" he said.
The young 'Riley boys' Smith was referring to are fifteen year old Sam Riley and his two younger brothers, Jack (12) and Tom (11). The 3 boys have been skating at the Junee skate park for over 5 years and their mum, Di, was at the clinic to watch her three talented boys, and said she is happy that they are all into skateboarding.
"It's pretty good; it's good that they're probably all into the same sport. It does make it a bit easier" she said.
On your first visit to a skate park you quickly become aware of the dangers of being a skateboarder and or a spectator. Not only do the young skaters have to land their tricks on a ramp, they now have to battle it out with kids on bikes and scooters that use the same ramp; And if they don't pull off the perfect landing a wayward skateboard can do alot of injury. It was good to see all of the Riley boys were padded up for the occasion, their mum says she is relieved that it is 'cool' to wear protection- as the bigger the tricks, the harder the falls. Di admits her boys have had their fair share of injuries.
"Mainly ankles, I've got them pads for Christmas, for when they try new tricks" Ms Riley said.
Standing amongst the young boarders at the skate park you could quickly forget that you are in a regional town of NSW, it could be any skate park around Australia, or even America. The language used to describe the tricks and maneuvers on the boards, although foreign to visitors, is the language used amongst the athletes- and while the youngest Riley struggled to explain 'rock the fakey' and '50/50' as a trick he was very impressive at demonstrating them.
So the next time you hear someone use the phrase 'gnarly', 'shout out' or 'ripper' you can be sure they grew up with a skateboard in hand, and if you want to sound like you know what you are talking about ask if they know how to 'Ollie' or 'Rock the fakey'.
If you are interested in learning how to 'ollie' or just appreciate the skill, click onto the attached video as skateboarding coach Dougal Smith teaches the art of an 'ollie'.
