Everyone at ASIS would like to say a huge

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

 To all that attended skate schools, purchased a board

or held a party with us in 2011.

See you in 2012

http://www.thexc.co.uk/index.cfm/latest-news/xc-summer-holiday-workshops/

Billy has been named New Yorker of the week by cable TV channel NY1,
thanks to his work generating a new-found interest amongst youths in skateboarding. He’s also been building skateparks around the city so as to host his skate sessions, and using skate equipment donated by his sponsors. and furthermore creating places to do it.

We are happy to see that similar programs are happening in the US where
the situation amongst youths is similar to that in the UK. The need for change is becoming more and more obvious and action sports can provide a solution. Check the video and full story  here.  (seen in NY1.com)

Check out the latest indoor Action Sports play centre to be built at Copper Mountain in America. The UK is calling out for something like this.

http://snowboarding.transworld.net/2009/03/05/woodward-at-copper-mtn-video/

http://video.mpora.com/watch/EjUVztGrt/

Running a skateboarding program with no support from the government is difficult enough in the UK, so to be able to do something similar in a part of the world that is still on the front line of a major armed conflict is pretty incredible. However that is exactly what one 34 year old man from Melbourne, Australia is doing in Afghanistan.

Oliver Percovich is taking Action sports onto the front line. Afghan youth have learned to recover almost instantly from routine violence. Percovich is determined to inject some normalcy into their lives. His not-for-profit skate academy, Skateistan, is opening this spring. He sees sport as a way to woo students into after-school activities like English and computer classes, which are otherwise reserved for the elite.

Percovich has raised the money needed to build an 8,600-square-foot bubble to house the Skateistan complex, and the Kabul Parks Authority has tentatively donated land. He is still waiting for official permission to begin the project. And since a spate of kidnappings and the car bombing in late November, he has reduced his daily sessions at his current location to once or twice a week.

Despite the obvious military and economic problems in the country that face the organisation, deep social rifts along religious and gender and class lines divide the population and present even more problems for Skateistan. Here at ASIS we wish them the best of luck!

Skateboarding has finally made it onto the school curriculum – at one Devon school at least. Now, enthusiasts at other schools across the county must be hoping their teachers follow the example set by Pilton Community College in Barnstaple.

The college has incorporated skateboarding into the school’s PE lessons – and, not surprisingly, it’s been a popular decision! At the moment, it’s only a trial period to see how the lessons go, but staff argue that skateboarding is a sport, so should be included in PE.

College teacher Wendy McQuillan believes that although it’s not a traditional sport, like football and rugby, there’s still a place for skateboarding in school PE lessons.

“For many of the students it’s a sport they’re trying for the first time, so it’s developing a lot of new skills. And for those who’ve done it before, they’re developing a range of co-ordination skills. And there’s also the physical aspect of skateboarding.“

It makes a nice change for the teenagers to practice their sport in a place where they’re welcome. Youngsters in Barnstaple have been using the redeveloped riverfront area of the town for their sport – and have made themselves unpopular with residents. The skaters have now started a petition to try and get a skate park in the town, which, they say, would keep everyone happy. In the meantime, they’re making the most of the lessons on offer at school.

Freshparks was created by Roger Hickey, a veteran action sports athlete and 20-time downhill World Champion. He wanted to advance his street and park riding skills so after attempting to create heavy wood ramps which cost and weigh three times as much and are immobile, Roger invented a simple, affordable, fold up Street Park Kit that rolls into the corner of his garage after each use. Three years of research and countless prototypes resulted in Freshpark’s complete line of skate ramp kits for aspiring and dedicated skateboarders.

Freshparks are supporting ASIS by generously providing a protable skate ramp, with the aim of taking the programme to the next level.

For further information of Freshpark products and activities visit the link: http://www.freshpark.com/

·        Over 85% of pupils enjoyed participating in skateboarding and all those who took part felt that their skills significantly improved.   

·        In addition to learning how to skate and having fun on the boards, health and safety is an important part of the course. Over ¾  of the kids were aware that skateboarding is not only fun, but also good for their health.  

·        All pupils indicated that they felt good about themselves when participating in the skateboarding sessions, with 73% strongly agreeing to this and the remaining 27% agreeing. This positive feeling can also increase the confidence amongst participants. 

·        Nearly 90% of those who attended the course stated that they would continue skateboarding after the course had ended which is ultimately the long-term goal of this program.  

Clare McCawley who was instrumental in introducing the Action Sports In Schools program into schools within the Dacorum Partnership in Hertfordshire commented ‘I am really pleased with the outcome and hope that these pupils will continue to skate. I know for a fact that some of the pupils will be joining the St Albans Skate Park in the near future.’   

With these awesome results, we are hoping to get many more pupils onto boards and being active for a healthier life.