Tucked behind trees next to Howe Sound Secondary is a concrete jungle usually filled with skateboarders ripping around the bowl, pumping trannies and grinding ledges of the 麻豆社国产Skatepark.Traditionally a sport dominated by packs of teenagers cruising the streets, the local scene has quickly become embedded with a sense of community since the 2005 construction of the park - and passersby are as likely to see an adult skating as a child.Stuntwood skateboard shop owner and operator Mike Quesnel is helping to strengthen the bonds between young and old skaters by holding bi-weekly sessions at the park for the second consecutive year. He and friends offer trick tips to kids while teaching the park's proper flow and etiquette."It's an opportunity to help the kids and promote skateboarding," said Quesnel."Even more so, it's kids getting to know each other. Everybody gets to hang out and they meet other little skateboarders and friends and get other people interested in it. Same goes for the parents - the moms meet other moms who bring their kids to the park so they get together or if one mom can't make it then a kid can get with another one."Skateboarder Mike Leblanc brings his six-year-old son Jake to the park on a regular basis. As Jake rips around the bowl it becomes clear how quickly he is picking up the skills from his elders. "It's a full circle because now we get to see the little guys," said Leblanc with a proud smile. "Jake is encouraging for them too because it shows the little guys can do it," added Quesnel. "The little kids look at him and see him doing it and they're like 'no way! Okay we can do this.' They don't think just old guys can do it." Meanwhile, Karen Goldsmith sits in a lawn chair watching her son Braedon Wheeler, 10, shred with the greatest of ease. The pair regularly travel from their home in Whistler to use the facility, which is in much better shape than their hometown park, said Goldsmith."I absolutely love it. And it's so great because more parents are spending more time out here," she said. "There's a real community about it. It's turning into a more family affair - the whole scene."Wheeler is definitely one of the best young skateboarders hitting the park these days. He recognizes the value of both taking advice from the big guys and sharing his own knowledge with his peers. "It's fun because the older ones teach me how to do stuff and they inspire me and the younger ones I usually help," he said. The next youth skate session is Saturday (July 26) and will continue every other Saturday. There is no cost and kids are encouraged to show up at the park at 9 a.m.In the meantime, the skate community is working on installing lights around the park in preparation for shorter days. BC Hydro donated poles and Alta Lake Electric Ltd. will soon be starting the installation. Since the skateboard community is taking on the responsibility, anyone who can help out with installing lights, fixtures and so on are encouraged to call Quesnel at 604-898-9800.
