SKATERS and scooter riders came out to participate in the Skate League SA clinic and competition last Friday, which was organised with the assistance of the YMCA and Wattle Range Council.
Coordinated by Saul Spellbank and assisted by Shaun Causier of the YMCA, the free clinics provided young people an opportunity to learn a range of skating tips and tricks.
“It’s mainly for young people or anyone who wants to come and have a go,” Mr Causier said.
“We have had a pretty good day so far and we are hoping to get some female participants in the afternoon.”
Mr Causier said skating was a great activity which kept children active and engaged.
“It’s an extreme sport where it’s all about constantly practicing, there’s really no end to it,” he said.
“It is also about a healthy way of using a park, coming out and getting some fresh air rather than being indoors in front of a computer game.”
Mr Causier said socialising was also an appealing element of the sport, with young people getting to know others of different ages and abilities.
He praised council for the maintenance of the park.
Mr Causier was also pleased to see the graffiti artwork of Kitt Bennett in person.
“I remember seeing the big squid online and I thought to myself ‘wow, that’s sick’,” he said.
“I got here and I’m like, ‘oh my God, this is the park’.
“It just adds so much to the park, it makes it look really cool, it just livens the whole thing up.”
Millicent BMX riders Jack Bell and Noah Cockrum were at the park on Saturday for the skate park competition.
Scooter riders hit the bowl at 11am for two heats, before BMX riders and skateboarders took to ‘squid park’ to perform their best tricks.
Jack and Noah participated in the BMX heats of the day, with the pair placing first and second, respectively.
“We can get airborne,” Jack said.
“We can do a half pipe and also go around the bowl.”
Council community development officer Sarah Marzec estimated a larger number of participants in the weekend skate events.
“We had 60 participants at the Friday skate clinic and a lot more participants in the competition,” she said.
“There were quite a few repeat visitors from interstate and Adelaide who said it was one of the best events they had been to.
“We have the best skate park in the Limestone Coast and the beauty of the park is it is designed to have a beginner, intermediate and high-level section.
“It is also unique in how you are able to do the three sports – skateboarding, scooter riding and BMX.”
