Two local educators have begun sharing their passion for skateboarding with the next generation.
Brad Boardman and Khan Pham both work at Washington Open Elementary, 270 Washington St. in Santa Clara. Roughly a year ago, the men began hosting skateboarding sessions at the Santa Clara Skate Park, 2440 Cabrillo Ave.
Skateboarding affords kids an opportunity to learn a lot of great skills, the men said. Among those skills are being aware of their surroundings, being around other kids — learning from one another — as well as mental toughness.
“If you want to skateboard, you are going to learn how to fail,” Boardman said. “You will learn the meaning of grit. You will learn how to stick with someone to get past the tough moments.”
Additionally, Pham said, since skating is largely an individual sport, it allows kids to be involved in “creating their own identity.”
The duo wanted to leverage a community asset, offering a low-cost option for parents.
“It is just doing something we love, and we just want to share it with people,” Pham said.
The site has “a ton of potential,” Boardman said. It is safe and publicly accessible. The sessions are more freeform as opposed to traditional lessons, and Boardman said they are “more about exposure” to the sport.
The effort aims to involve kids who may not be interested in more traditional sports, affording them the opportunity to do something physical.
“The team sports aren’t always for the kids that skate,” Boardman said. “There is a little truth to the idea that these are kids that are non-traditional athletes.”
Vice Mayor Kelly Cox featured the program in her newsletter, writing that the “… program is a model of what happens when passion meets purpose, and I’m proud to have both of these leaders bringing joy, movement, and mentorship to the next generation right here in our city.”
Jamie Seshadri’s 9-year-old son, Kai, started skating at the park last year. Skateboarding suits his “adventurous” spirit, she said. It is just the latest in a suite of similar activities he already enjoys, including karate and parkour.
Although she said Kai wishes more kids his age were in the club, she said Boardman and Pham have taught Kai so much, saying that he loves going to the park.
“He likes doing things that are challenging. He is not afraid. He is daring. He is not afraid to fall,” Seshardri said.
Pella Law’s daughter, 6-year-old Anabela Chan, also began skating at the park last year. Since her daughter began skating, Law said, Anabela has gained confidence, improving quickly under Boardman and Pham’s tutelage.
While Anabela was afraid to do some things at the park — such as going down the ramp — initially, the trust she has for the men has helped her overcome some of those fears. Plus, since several kids from her school come out to the park Thursday when the club meets, there is a social aspect as well.
“It is kind of like hanging out with her friends,” Law said. “It is kind of like a little community, a little skateboarding community.”
That social aspect is important, Pham and Boardman said. Older kids can act as mentors to younger ones which will ensure a community asset is well-used.
While the club’s attendance fluctuates, Boardman said it has begun to level off, with a solid core group of kids and parents showing up each week.
“When we started it, we weren’t sure what kind of reception we would have,” Boardman said. “Just getting to know the kids and the parents has just been awesome.”
Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com
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