The sound of skateboards scraped against the concrete, followed by sharp thuds as all boards hit the pavement. Laughter and cheers echoed across Pearsall Skate Park Nov. 16 creating a soundtrack of joy and achievements.
With his bright red spiked helmet, the boy in the wheelchair sped down the ramp, landing successfully at the bottom. The crowd erupted in cheers as he smiled and high-fived Andrew Garcia, executive director and lead coach of Ability Skateboarding.
“He loves it. He loves going up and down the ramp to think he’s, you know, not afraid and I know he really enjoys it,” said Sasha Castillo, the boy’s mother.
Ability Skateboarding brought the community together — including a skateboarding club from Texas A&M University-San Antonio and youth with disabilities — for a heartwarming, inclusive event at the park.
Volunteers wearing bright orange shirts encouraged participants to push their limits and cheered them on as they took their turns on the ramps.
The event featured hands-on beginner lessons, with multiple volunteers pairing up with kids to show them the basics of skateboarding. Some children were supported while riding, while others screamed with joy, racing down the ramps on their own.
The event was the culmination of a six-week course, where children with disabilities had been learning the basics of skateboarding.
The program aimed to build confidence and skills, and Saturday’s showcase gave participants the chance to demonstrate their progress to an enthusiastic crowd of parents, guardians, and supporters.
Parents gathered on the sidelines watching with pride as their children soared down the ramps with beaming smiles.
Garcia demonstrated the inclusive nature of the event by getting in a wheelchair himself to show how to ride down the ramp. “I love that Andrew gets in the chair with them, and there are children in wheelchairs too who get to participate alongside him,” Castillo added.
Because of Garcia’s bravery, Castillo’s son was inspired to take on the challenge himself. With his bright red spiked helmet on, he sped down the ramp, landing successfully at the bottom. The crowd erupted in cheers as he smiled and high-fived Garcia with joy.
“Ultimately skateboarding is enjoyable and a way to escape. Having that sense of community with everyone, like through jaguar I’ve been able to find good friends through it, no matter what skate level.” Rice Pagay Icuspit a volunteer in Jaguar collegiate skateboarding club.
Jason Balencia, a member of the Jaguar Collegiate Skateboarding Student Organization, highlighted the importance of fostering community through events like this.
“Our schedule per semester consists of serious advertising in the beginning, followed by a few community events, and finally end the semester with more fun events,” Balencia said.
He noted that skateboarding has become increasingly technical, making partnerships with organizations like Ability Skateboarding and Kinetic Kids crucial for reaching a wide range of participants and ensuring that the sport is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
The event was the culmination of a six-week course, where children with disabilities had been learning the basics of skateboarding.
The program aimed to build confidence and skills, and Saturday’s showcase gave participants the chance to demonstrate their progress to an enthusiastic crowd of parents, guardians, and supporters.
Tyler Radtke, board president at Ability Skateboarding, shared some insight into the program’s growth.
“We started working with Kinetic Kids in 2018,” he said. “Since then, we’ve been able to hold events in states like Utah, Vermont and California.”
Sofia Zarazua, admin of office for Kinetic Kids, echoed Radtke’s passion for inclusivity. A former intern with the organization, Zarazua emphasized that Kinetic Kids offers more than just sports.
“We have programs for musical theater and dance too,” she said, inviting others to get involved by visiting kinetickidstx.org for volunteer opportunities.
As the event came to a close, children demonstrated their skills on the ramps, while parents and volunteers cheered in support. The high-fives exchanged between participants and their mentors reflected the day’s success and the program’s focus on building confidence through skateboarding.
Jaguar Collegiate Skateboarding will hold a fall semester skate meet at Martinez Park on Dec. 15. The event is open to all students and skateboarders interested in learning about Jaguar Collegiate Skateboarding and skateboarding in general. The meet will begin at 11 a.m. RSVP is available on JagSync.
