about
My name is JP and I have been teaching skateboarding for 8 years. I fell in love with skateboarding when I was around 8 years old and it's been a large part of my life ever since. My first memory of seeing people skate was on a family holiday in France at 7 years old. After that, I didn't stop to nagging my mum for a board for months! Finally, she gave in and I had my very own Pokemon themed skateboard, which cost just £10 from Atkinsons. It was rubbish. A friend broke one of the trucks within a few weeks as he tried to kickflip it! I was gutted but it was my birthday soon and on my birthday my mum took me to Sumo, in Sheffield. I bought a proper skateboard, a Sumo branded deck with a bank note themed graphic, Venture trucks and decent wheels and bearings. I was set. For years I spent my childhood skateboarding with my friends, brother and cousins and it has been the most rewarding past time.
why learn to skate
Skateboarding can be difficult but that's why it can be so rewarding too! After working tirelessly to learn a new trick, the satisfaction of finally landing it is a feeling that cannot quite be put into words. As well as this, skateboarding can teach you some valuable life lessons, keep you physically fit and healthy and also be great for your mental health.
LIFE LESSONS
It may seem out there that messing around on a piece of wood with wheels can teach you valuable lessons in life but bear with me. Skateboarding is hard and if you stick at it, this naturally builds patience, dedication and mental strength.
PHYSICALLITY
It can be a real workout even just pushing to the shops and back and whilst it might seem like leg-day every session, skateboarding works the whole body, with constant twists of your hips and shoulders, strengthening of core muscles and it's a great cardio-vascular exercise too.
Mental Health
Skateboarding is great for your mental health. As skateboarding can be somewhat dangerous, it means you have to be in the zone whilst riding, allowing your mind to focus and forget about all of life's troubles! As well as this, it can help massively to build confidence and self esteem.