ABC Skateboarding & the Perfect Skatepark
After providing Skateboarding Lessons at Croxley Green for many years, ABC Skateboarding had the ultimate pleasure of beginning a new journey at a brand new skatepark. Croxley Green Skatepark has had a number of layouts during its existence for well over a decade, but none quite like this.
Freestyle Skateparks, an iconic skatepark building company, had been working hard and creatively to manufacture (we think) one of the best outdoor skatepark facilities in all of Hertfordshire. The layout of the park consists of a number of smaller ramps, ledges in abundance, and of course bigger ramps, quarter pipes, rails and a miniramp to keep everyone happy, despite what chosen sport they do!
ABC Skateboarding worked closely with Freestyle Skateparks in regards to the layout, as Three Rivers Council has given us the amazing opportunity to provide our fun, confidence-building and distinct lesson programmes to people of all ages at the BRAND NEW Croxley Green Skatepark. After all, if we are to teach skateboarding, we must have a perfect facility to so, right? We think so, Freestyle thinks so, but most importantly, our amazing students think so!
ABC Skateboarding is now the sole coaching provider in Hertfordshire and Croxley Green has always been a skatepark close to our hearts. It almost seems like a dream has come true. Thank you, Freestyle and Three Rivers Council, for providing something truly remarkable for children. Our aim is to keep our students skateboarding for as long as possible, and to keep using the skatepark for many years to come.
An Introduction to Skateboarding
Our ‘Introduction to Skateboarding’ Programme began on Monday 8th April 2019. The previous year, the weather was definitely not on our side and the dreaded April Showers almost swallowed our Skate Camp entirely. In 2019 however, after a minor set back on the first Monday and Tuesday, the days to come were full of fun, sun and lots of skateboarding over 70 students aged 5 up to 15!
The Introduction to Skateboarding Programme started with the most fundamental aspects of skateboarding: Pushing, board control and balance. Every student we had book on to our programme excelled and in no time at all, everyone was using the park; pushing back and forth like it was just another day on a skateboard.
All students after that were challenged to conquer some of the smaller ramps in the skatepark alongside our professionally trained instructors. After a few wobbles, a lot of smiles and laughs, it wasn’t long before everyone was speeding around the park, turning around obstacles and showing off their new tricks. All students were introduced to tricks performed on the floor such as the ollie, the caveman, the manual and many others! By introducing these fundamental building blocks of skateboarding, all of our students now have the knowledge to begin their skateboarding journey and to improve at a greater rate!
Skateboarding instructors Alex, Charlie and Joe were amazed by how quickly their students progressed. The ABC Skateboarding programme is a carefully developed structured lesson that is distinct to each venue ABC uses. A combination of the ABC programme and a brand new park is the primary reason why our students learnt so quickly and why they all had such a great time. One of the parents had kindly said:
“They started the week completely new to skateboarding and now they have found a new passion. They absolutely love it and I’m guessing that mainly has to do with the great teaching and patience the guys at ABC have.”
Our Philosophy
We are incredibly proud of what we do and the importance of skateboarding in children’s lives is something that can often be overlooked. Every child we teach has potential and we believe that we can unlock it together. Together we can improve children’s confidence dramatically and learn to have an appreciation of a sport that is so very different to those considered ‘traditional.’
After two weeks over the Easter Holiday, our instructors and students alike now have a nice golden-brown glow from being in the rare sun in Croxley Green. However, over the Easter Holiday we truly believe that ABC Skateboarding has introduced skateboarding to children of all walks of life. Our job is to pass the torch, ignite the flame and then watch it glow. At Croxley Green Skatepark, we’ll see the fires of skateboarding glowing for years to come.
Article written by Charlie Spelzini
