THUNDER BAY – Going forward, youth with varying abilities will get the option to skateboard at Cinema 5 Skatepark, with new programming and equipment.
The local skate park has received funding from Jumpstart to launch a new adaptive skateboarding program for youth with disabilities.
Vanessa Bowles, executive director of Cinema 5 Skatepark, said the need for this programming in our community is great.
“The program is looking at adapting skateboarding for youth with disabilities. Making sure that we're including everyone into our skateboard programs and that it's accessible to anybody in the community.”
The program is currently in its second week out of six, and completely filled up within two days of registration being open, Bowles said.
“We received just under $14,000 to do these programs.
“We put in our application with Jumpstart and this is actually the second program that they have funded for us. We really appreciate the support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart,” she said.
“These kinds of programs are important for youth who wouldn't otherwise have these experiences and outlets on a social level and a mental level,” Michelle Scott, treasure of Cinema 5 Skatepark said.
In addition to the funding, Cinema 5 Skatepark also introduces a new adaptive skateboard trainer – one of the first in Canada.
Robert Ferguson, executive director of the Rob Skate Academy, brought the adaptive skateboard trainer to Thunder Bay.
It works by having the child harnessed in the cage. They will have bungee cords that give them the proper tension to hold their body up.
“And then as it's holding your body up, we can adjust the tension to navigate any individual, whether they have zero balance whatsoever on the device.
“Then we can loosen that tension out to someone once they're starting to learn some of that tension and once they starting to understand their board to where they could then be releasing until they can navigate without it all together,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson started this entire idea back in 2007, he said.
“I had a lot of youth who were either on the spectrum or kids that would come in on wheelchairs that wanted to participate.
“From working with those kids and those youth, it was always felt to me that I need to do more with them. A decade later, I got pushed enough to where I decided I'll create a device."
It will be very beneficial to Thunder Bay will ensure all abilities can skateboard, he said.
“No matter any underlying condition that you may have, you'll be able to get in strap up and feel comfortable and confident to get out there and try something that you wouldn't necessarily have tried before.”
For more information, Visit Cinema 5 Skatepark’s website.
