Suffolk skateboarder hopes to deal with 'tough' stigma round sport

Angelle Joseph

BBC Information, Suffolk

Reporting fromWoodbridge Skatepark

Neve Gordon-Farleigh

BBC Information, Suffolk

Two-Toed Skateboards occasion featured skating classes, dwell music and competitions

Angelle Joseph/BBC A man dressed in all black with white trainers who is skateboarding over a ramp at a skate park. — Two-Toed Skateboards occasion featured skating classes, dwell music and competitions

A skateboarding coach stated he hoped a two-day competition would assist break down any stigma across the sport being “tough”.

The Two-Toed Skateboards occasion, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday at Woodbridge Skatepark, Suffolk, included skateboarding classes, dwell music and skating competitions.

The cash raised all through the weekend went in direction of Skatepark Respect and the Ben Raemers Basis, a charity that ensures the skateboarding group has the assets to assist individuals fighting their psychological well being.

Lewis Anderson, the founding father of Two-Toed Skateboards, stated: “I needed to carry everybody collectively and present skating is extra than simply individuals on a skateboard.”

Mr Anderson based Two-Toed Skateboards in 2017, after he certified as knowledgeable skateboarding coach.

He stated annually he tries to make the occasion larger and higher.

“I needed to carry everybody collectively and present skating is extra than simply individuals on a skateboard. It’s rooted within the tradition of artwork, in skateboard design, in graffiti, in music, in skate tradition – so a skate competition simply is smart to me.

“I wish to break down that stigma that skateboarding has… we’re not tough, we’re a group.”

Joe Bourne began skateboarding when he was about 13 and says it acts as an escapism

Angelle Joseph/BBC Joe Bourne, a skateboarded wearing blue jeans and a purple T-shirt is jumping over a stick and landing on his skate board. — Joe Bourne began skateboarding when he was about 13 and says it acts as an escapism

Joe Bourne attended the occasion, which was held in collaboration with Woodbridge City Council, and has been skateboarding since he was 13.

He stated: “It is the one factor that retains me pushing actually… it stored me out of quite a lot of hassle. It stored me sane at occasions, as my little escape from actuality.”

He hoped the Woodbridge skate scene might be stored alive by the youthful technology.

“It is good that it is nonetheless right here. It was a bit larger so it is a disgrace that it is dying out. It is good to see quite a lot of youthful generations choosing it up,” he stated.

The occasion additionally hoped to offer individuals the chance to have their say on how they wish to see the skatepark improved

Angelle Joseph/BBC A skateboard has been used as a sign which says in red writing, 'Give us your SKATEPARK feedback vote for improvements' with eight options of things people have vote for. There is a red box beneath it where people can put a coin in the slot they choose to vote for. — The occasion additionally hoped to offer individuals the chance to have their say on how they wish to see the skatepark improved

When attendees had been requested what enhancements might be made to the skatepark, their solutions included extra skating occasions, a graffiti wall and repairs.

Mr Anderson hopes with repairs and enhancements, the skatepark will turn out to be a spot the place skaters can “really feel a way of possession”.

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