It’s somewhat a simple topic to say that sport itself benefits mental health in young people- Provide a distraction from negativity and boredom, and you have a positive impact. The real discussion everyone at ABC is fascinated with, which has become incredibly popular today amongst filmmakers and skateboarders alike, is how skateboarding benefits mental health in young people. This discussion will predominantly focus on both skateboarding and children, with a primary spotlight on coaching and the role they play in mentoring their students.
At ABC Skateboarding, we feel that to be a skateboarding instructor, it takes a considerable amount of skill sets in order to really deliver a lesson that is not only beneficial to learning new tricks, but beneficial to the cognitive framework of young people and their outlook on life in its entirety. Despite what may be considered a mainstream organisation, ABC Skateboarding plays a key role in supporting those with mental health issues. By becoming an active role in people’s lives, ABC staff promote these people to become active through the realm we know best, which is of course, skateboarding. Skateboarding and physical activity has an incredibly powerful and positive effect on mental health. This is why we invest heavily in our lesson plans; making them inclusive for everyone no matter who you are.
One of the most fundamental aspects of skateboarding has to be the community that runs intrinsic to it. This itself is a discussion in which many skateboarders and authors alike have spoken about for many years. It’s a truly amazing concept which we are all grateful for and in turn, keeps us skateboarding through a positive mental framework. After all, the friends we have in skateboarding all have one thing in common- we skateboard. We immediately have a common interest and have a platform in which we can all relate to.
At ABC Skateboarding, we recognise the importance of building a strong community within the locations our lessons are based. For all of our students, both children and adults, we feel that creating a safe space and a sense of community is vital to active learning.
“For me, the most important aspect of skateboarding is the community and at ABC, we feel like a family that constantly grows. I look forward to the lesson every single Tuesday and seeing everyone improve week by week brings this family even closer together.” (Kellie, ABC Student)
Children learn as they play, our students included. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn. It is this in which we can see that skateboarding has incredible mental benefits. Skateboarding is a naturally fun and exciting activity to engage in and learning is an underlining principle that runs through everyone who partakes in skateboarding. Learning and fun are the two main principles that keep children’s minds active and positive. By incorporating these into our lessons, ABC Skateboarding sees massive improvements in all of our students’ self-esteem and confidence both on and off the board.
On the contrary, kids often don’t remember what you try to teach them. They instead, remember who you are as a teacher. This is why the role of the ABC Skateboarding coach is similar to that of a mentor. Our coaches are trained to help build confidence within young people; embrace their creativity and celebrate their achievements.
The broad definition of a mentor is an ‘experienced and trusted advisor.’ ABC coaches are all skateboarders themselves; they all offer their personal knowledge unto their students and they are all professional at doing so. Their role is incredibly important to young people. Keeping children learning whilst having fun is a task that is often overlooked in most class-based activities. ABC embraces this challenge with open arms within an environment that accentuates collaborative learning.
Upon reading this article, we’re sure the vast majority of our readers recognise the importance of being able express our feelings. It is integral to both companionship and our general mental wellbeing. Although our staff and instructors are committed to keeping you skateboarding, their job and outlooks are far broader than the average teacher. We understand that life itself can be stressful at times and we are there to provide breathing space for those within our lessons. We can listen to a story, lend a hand and keep you in a frame of mind that keeps you smiling on the good days and the bad days…
Sometimes the sun shines brightly. Others it is masked in cloud. But together, in an environment where we learn, we smile and we work together, all of these days are worth it when we’re skateboarding.
Written by Charlie Spelzini
Illustration by Sara Prinsloo
