West 49 is taking the pain out of skateboarding.
The retail outlet for "skaters" is hosting a free learn to skateboard event in the parking lot of Cottonwood Mall on Thursday, July 28.
The West 49 LRN2SK8 Tour, presented by Disney XD, is a program for beginner skaters, ages five years and up, that gives kids a chance to experience skateboarding in a safe environment with skilled skateboarders all around.
The event is being held in the parking lot of Cottonwood Mall in an enclosed mobile skatepark, which includes the Jones Soda Street Course featuring Element Drop Spot Obstacles.
Chilliwack is one of 30 stops on the tour, which started on June 1.
“We are beyond excited to get this program started and to see kids experiencing skateboarding in
this environment," said Cindy Mielke, director of marketing for West 49 Inc.. "West 49 wants to go beyond selling skate gear to kids, we want them to experience skateboarding and get physically active this summer."
The learn to skate program is designed to help youth develop confidence and skateboard skills and to provide participants with a legitimate skateboarding experience in a supervised and safe area.
From prize giveaways, sampling opportunities and a mobile skate park set up with all the equipment necessary to master skateboarding, the LRN2SK8 program is an opportunity for kids in Chilliwack to access course components such as rails, ledges, ramps and flat bars.
The half day program will include the following elements: mock-classroom lessons where trick description (Tech Deck Trickology 101) and the history of skateboarding will be reviewed; Build-a-Board Workshop learning how to install bearings and apply grip tape; and small group lessons aiding in individual progression execution and analysis will be taught with skate-educated seasoned riders providing the lessons.
The day will end with a graduation ceremony and each skateboarder will receive a certificate for
participating and completing the program.
The program is free to kids aged five and older.
Two sessions are being held, one from 10 a.m. to noon and the other from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required.
To register, go to www.west49lrn2sk8.com