Skate Class

The Skatepark in Hillcrest was the site of the Malta Parks and Recreation Skateboard Lessons last Wednesday, July 11, as several skaters old and new hit up the park that was opened for Malta in 2016.

The event was originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, but a thunderstorm thwarted those plans, and the two day opening week became a one-day opening. The PCN caught up with instructor Travis Rhoads as well as a couple of skaters that day.

"We probably could've had class, but there was some lightning in the sky and I didn't want to risk having kids out here," said Rhoads. "It's just better to be safe than sorry. We just bagged it until today and today is a good day."

With a limited amount of mosquitoes and cooler temperatures, the lessons brought a few spectators. One spectator, Joyce Simser, who was watching her grandson Keavin Simser, couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"It's awesome how far they've come in just one session," Simser said. "They have great teachers."

The instructors included Rhoads, Logan Olson, and Matt VanWinkle. The event featured plenty of one-on-one time with each skater as the opening class started with a healthy amount of participants.

"Five or six is what we have in the class right now and I know we have a few more coming up, that will start in the next week," Rhoads said.

He reiterated that just because students didn't make the first day or the second day on Tuesday, June 17, that the classes are open to anyone.

"Anyone is welcome to start at any time," Rhoads said. "Throughout this month that we are doing these skate classes, you can start on either one of these days on Tuesdays or Wednesdays."

He shared a few of his goals for the class.

"I guess our biggest goal is to get some kids rolling around the park, teach them the etiquette of it, and learn how to enjoy skating up here," Rhoads said.

As far as the criteria, the teachers were able to work with different skaters, who had different levels of experience.

"Right now we are just teaching kids to there abilities and skills," Rhoads said. "We have one that's learning to get through this bowl," Rhoads said. "We have one girl that had never been on a skateboard before, so we are just teaching her how to push and roll. We have another youngster who has been riding for a little bit, but he is just learning how to go through some of the bowls and he is learning how to skate transitions. There is a little bit of everything.

One student, Keavin Simser could be seen comfortably skating the bowl closest to highway 191.

"I like it," Simser said of the class. "I learned how to turn as quick as I can."

Simser shared some advice for those who are interested in taking that class this summer.

"You should try to buy a skateboard and practice in the street or the sidewalk," Simser said.

Eleven-year-old Jade Imlay had not ridden a skateboard prior to taking the class that day, but she could be seen rolling on the outside of the skate park.

"It's really fun and I think I am learning pretty fast," Imlay said. "I've learned how to get started first and I've been trying to go down one of the bowls but I couldn't control my turns, so I've been going down the sides, trying to control my turns to get better, so that I can go in the bowl."

Skate classes will continue every Tuesday and Wednesday until Wednesday, August 1. Classes start at 6 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m.

"I encourage anybody, if they haven't made it yet or have anybody who wants to learn, we will teach you from ground zero," Rhoads said. "If you don't have a skateboard or pads, show up and we will get you a skateboard and pads."