Hi Tracey, can you tell me a little about yourself and what inspired you to start SKATEtotheMAX?
Hi, my name is Tracey Swan. I am the director of SKATEtotheMAX CIC. SKATEtotheMAX is a UK Community Interest Company created in memory of 19 year old Plymouth based art student and my son Max Hamilton, who tragically lost his life in a skateboarding accident in 2019. A passionate skateboarder, Max had created a skateboard deck press and skate inspired artwork.
How did you hear about Roarockit? What inspired you to bring skateboard building into the program?
For two years, Max studied Art and design and had many books that helped us recreate his dreams. Roarockit was featured in his books on many occasions and we thought this would be an excellent format for the delivery of our workshops, providing opportunities for local, young and vulnerable people to learn a new skill, skateboard deck building.
How do you feel this program benefits the participants?
At SKATEtotheMAX, we want to provide young people with the opportunity to get involved in their community, particularly those who have been isolated, hurt, or in trouble. Whilst learning a truly unique skill, each workshop participant can experience inclusion and friendship. By taking home their own skateboard deck creation – they are also taking home something more subjective and hard to measure – a memorable and positive experience which is designed to inspire creativity, hope, and self-belief. Just what the kids need right now.
What were the youths’ reactions to getting to build skateboards? Do you have any special stories to share of the effects it had on them?
We believe the best way to demonstrate this is to hear from the kids themselves! So here is some feedback from a recent workshop where the majority of the participants were under 12 years old.
Tell us the new skills you have learnt:
"Deck making"
"How to make a deck by glueing the veneers and putting it into a vacuum and sanding"
"How to make a brilliant skateboard"
"Not to spray paint on your own"
"Sanding the board and painting it"
"Always wear a helmet"
"I have learnt how to sand a board"
Describe your time in the workshop in three words:
"Fun, excellent, interesting"
"Fantastic, brilliant, and exciting"
"Amazing, fun, and unbelievable"
"Fun, exciting, creative"
What did you learn about skateboard safety?:
"That it is always smarter to be safe than sorry"
"Always wear a helmet and pads"
"Wearing a helmet helps if you fall off from hurting yourself badly"
"To always wear a helmet no matter what!!!!!"
"Wear a helmet"
Ophelia is 7 and came to our last workshop at Prime. A very creative skateboard was taken home by this budding artist – and Ophelia’s teacher contacted me to say how impressed she was with a presentation Ophelia had made to her class about helmet safety and the new skills she had learnt. We even made the school newsletter which made our day! Here is what Ophelia wrote in a lovely letter to us –
“Dear Tracey and James
Thank you so much for taking your time to help me make my very own skateboard! I can’t wait to ride it. Have a great Christmas and hope to see you soon.love Ophelia xxx
PS I will tell everyone to wear a helmet!”
How were you able to get skateboard building started in your program? How did you secure funding? Were there any struggles in getting the program started?
We have successfully raised enough money for the initial set up costs and the ability to run two free workshops for 20 people and we will continue to fundraise this will allow us to offer bursary places on future workshops. Fundraising is never an easy option as proposals are long and time consuming and not always successful but it is important to us to try and include everyone.
In line with our CIC aims, we also collate information from consenting workshop participants including views, experiences, and ideas which will be used in our continued safety research (headgear) projects in partnership with The 3D Design and Emergency Medicine Departments at Plymouth University, Devon.
Workshops have taken place at Prime Skatepark in Plymouth UK. Following the recent success of our first ever workshops, we now have interest from primary schools as well as skateboarding hubs who are keen to host their own workshops and have an established demand from young people who are keen and ready to attend.
Thanks for your time Tracey! Any last words for the viewers back home?
Let’s keep our skateboarders safe both mentally and physically and teach them new skills that they can then take with them throughout their life.
Thank you Roarockit for creating this amazing system and giving these kids an opportunity of a lifetime.
Learn more about SKATEtotheMAX:
Taryn O’Grady
Roarockit Skateboard Company