Programs For Your Skate Park

Are you looking to get a skate lesson or education based program at your local skate park? The VSA can help.

As most skate parks are owned and managed by Local Governments, its recommended that you get in contact with your Local Government (Council) to try and arrange these activities.

Contacting Local Government is important for the following reasons:

• There may be opportunities available that you’re not aware of
• Funding opportunities could be available
• The more lobbying we do the more opportunities will follow
• It’s more likely to be professionally organised with qualified coaches and reduced risk

To help you help your Local Government the VSA recommends that you get in contact with one of our recognised Service Providers in the VSA’s LEARN RIGHT SKATE PROGRAM.

These organisations have qualified staff, structured risk management procedures and can conduct the VSA’s Learn Right Skate Program at your skate park.

Are you a skate Coach or skate lesson provider? Do you want to be sanctioned by the VSA? Please contact us and we will send you out a Service Provider’s application form. Conditions apply.

School Programs

As a part of the Victorian Government Sport and Recreation Future Direction Funding the VSA, is proud to announce the Learn Right Skate Schools Program.

The Program is designed to:

• Subsidise the cost of having skateboarding programs in schools
• Provide schools with a network of skateboard coaches and program providers

The program aim is to

• Have skateboarding included as a regular part of School’s Physical Education Curriculum
• Provide a safe and formal pathway into the sport of skateboarding
• Get more people skateboarding and provide information about local skate parks and programs

This innovative and refreshingly new school program focuses on engaging all students irrespective of age and gender, and delivers an active fun and games based clinic incorporating balance, agility, coordination and technique.

Download the VSA Learn Right Coaches Guide

The program is best suited for Years 5 and 6 in Primary School and Years 7 and 8 in Secondary School.

During the program confidence is built by the individual as he/she progresses with skills and techniques imparted during our sessions. We believe our programs also assist in the building of participants’ selfesteem and positive identity for young people and youth culture.

Our program coaches are accredited by the Australian Sports Commission and are highly experienced and skilled in every aspect of teaching their sport and have the appropriate Working with Children and Police Checks in place.

Service providers will provide all the equipment and protective gear for each student. This includes skateboards, helmets, knee and elbow pads and wrist guards. All they need is a suitable area within your school grounds to ride on – sealed bitumen or concrete surface (or basketball / tennis court).

How to get involved:

• Contact one of our service Providers below and request a program cost
• Download a copy of the School Funding Application Form and fill it out
• Email the completed form back to the VSA (please allow 10 day turn around process)

Please note conditions do apply to funding

VSA SANCTIONED PROGRAM PROVIDERS:

Are you a skate Coach or skate lesson provider? Do you want to be sanctioned by the VSA? Please contact us and we will send you out a Service Provider’s application form. Conditions apply.

Skate Safely

Skateboarding like most other physical activities is inherently dangerous. The VSA recommends the following to help reduce the risks to you and others.

Street Skating
The VSA recognises Street Skating is an important part of our culture, history and future. It’s important to note that the VSA does not exist to impose government rules or dictate what skateboarders should do as individuals.

That said, as a skateboarder your actions and reactions can affect people’s opinions of our community. Therefore the VSA asks that you please consider the following recommendations.

• In the case of an incident or collision (even if it’s not your fault) please ensure people are okay and assistance is sort for injuries
• Consider others and be courteous when skating in public spaces
• If a security guard asks you to leave please do so (don’t lose your temper)
• When street skating, destruction of property, disturbing the peace, and injury to others is generally the issue, not the fact you are skateboarding
• Trespassing, break and enter, and destruction of property when skateboarding are against the law. The VSA does not condone these actions.

The VSA highly recommends you seek permission or consult stakeholders before sessioning on private property.

Park Skating
There are over 150 skate parks within Victoria and the VSA recognises these places as your domain. To become the king of your domain these simple steps apply:

• Take a broom
• Take a first aid kit (ice packs)
• Wear the relevant personal protective clothing and equipment

Follow the traffic flow
At parks, skaters will tend to go in a direction towards an obstacle. When things are getting hectic its important to be aware of what others are skating and the path (lines) they are taking. Simple tips such as a wave or eye contact can help with knowing when to wait or go.

Help each other out
If you see someone trying to land a trick over and over again – help them out if you know what they need to change – for example if their foot positioning is wrong.

Say sorry
If you collide with someone, simply say ‘sorry’. It’s easy to do and people will respect you more.

Respect the park
You should be proud of your local park, so do your bit to make sure it looks good. Put your rubbish in the bins and encourage others to do so. Things such as a quick sweep or saying ‘hello’ to a stranger make it a better environment for everyone.

Vert skating
Vert skating is like getting down to business, you have to be serious about the risks and be a little more organised about it in your preparation. Make sure you wear full safety gear and a quality helmet and always check and clean the ramp before sessioning.

The VSA strongly recommends you take your time when practising new tricks, always  session with friends and getting some lessons from the pros.

Download skate etiquette guidelines

Skate Venues and Access

Lessons are available at regular times at the following Skate Parks:

Suburb	Venue	Bookings essential!
Frankston	Franktson Skate Park	Phone: 9769 6579 www.skatepark.ymca.org.au
Cranbourne	The Shed Skate Park (indoor)	Phone: 9769 6579 www.theshedskatepark.com.au
Knox	Knox Skate Park	Phone: 0427 846 328 www.skatepark.ymca.org.au
Ringwood	Eastland Shopping Centre (indoor)	Phone: 9870 2957 www.simplyskateboarding.com.au
Melbourne City	Riverslide Skate Park	Phone: 9663 0495 www.skatepark.ymca.org.au
Hawthorn	Junction Skate Park	www.skatepark.ymca.org.au
Mitcham	Rampit Skate Centre (indoor)	Phone: 9873 5999 www.rampit.com.au

 

Do you own or manage a skate park that has a regular lesson program? Please contact the VSA and we will add you to the list. Conditions apply.