Skate Rising, EXPOSURE Skate’s youth program for girls started in Encinitas in August of 2016 under the leadership of Calli Kelsay. There’s a monthly event in the San Diego area and in January there will also be an event in Phoenix.
Why will there be a Skate Rising event in Phoenix? Mary, a Phoenix area mom, loved the message she saw and wanted to share it with the skater girls in her area so she reached out to Skate Rising on Instagram to see if they could come to Arizona.
On January 21st the Skate Rising message of Empowering through Skateboarding will be shared at 91 West Skatepark – 8550 North 91st Avenue Unit 54 in Peoria from 10am-12pm.
It’s free to attend. The focus is on girls ages 4-18, but all girls are welcomed. The girls will be signing anti-bullying contracts, helping with a service project and then skateboarding.
Girls at the August 2016 Skate Rising in California signing anti-bullying contracts
What’s an anti-bullying contract? It’s a pledge to be kind. The simplest things like smiling, saying hello, inviting others to play, offering a hug, sitting with someone who’s alone are how you show friendship.
Why is it important to teach girls about bullying? “Almost one out of every four students (22%) report being bullied during the school year (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2015).”
Bullying is more than pushing & shoving. Bullying is also verbal and cyber. Teasing and excluding others are forms of bullying and “Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for poor school adjustment, sleep difficulties, anxiety, and depression (Center for Disease Control, 2015).”
“More than half of bullying situations (57%) stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied (Hawkins, Pepler, & Craig, 2001).” So by modeling kindness and teaching the girls how to respond when they see bulling, Skate Rising is building a better and healthier tomorrow.
The service project at the January 21st event will be putting together school supply kits to benefit children in the Skate After School program that works with under served youth in the Phoenix area. Then it’s open skating with help from the 91 West Skatepark plus Neal Mims, pro skater, will be going to Phoenix to share skate tips.
Below the invite to January 21st follow them on IG to see tons of fun.
SKATE RISING CALIFORNIA
Sticking to the second Saturday of the month, Skate Rising will be meeting in the San Diego area on January 14th.
Like last month the event will be at Academy Skatepark in Vista – 1410 Vantage Ct. – from 9-11am.
Who knew Southern California would have a rainy season. It’s good for the drought so we’re thankful for the rain and to Neal Mims who’s opened up Academy Skatepark – admission is free plus his trained staff of skateboarding pros will be there to help anyone who wants to learn something new.
January’s speaker will be Paige, the founder of My Grey Matterz. She’ll be telling her personal story and why helmets are important of skaters of all ages & levels.
The service project for the month is making Activity Bags to benefit in-house patients at Rady Children’s Hospital.
If you have items like coloring or small activity books, small sets of crayons or pencils, sticker sheets, rulers, card games or giant Ziplock Bags to donate please bring them – donations are appreciated but not required – all Skate Rising events are free & inclusive.
Skate Rising depends & is grateful for volunteers and sponsors. Skate Rising Phoenix is happening because someone was inspired by what she saw & contacted Skate Rising. If you’re interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or have questions contact c[email protected] or send a message on IG.
Kindness really is contagious – hope you make it to a Skate Rising event soon!