Skate camp encourages confidence in the park

The calls of, "dropping!" echoed off the concrete at Dave Olseth Memorial Skatepark on Wednesday.

Clad in helmets and kneepads, skateboarders zipped across the silky smooth surface, crossing paths, sometimes only inches apart. A few took turns cruising down a steep ramp and up the lip of a quarter pipe, trying to launch as high as possible.

Other riders worked more cautiously, just trying to get comfortable moving sideways on four wheels.

The organized chaos was apart of the Sk8fish skateboard camp put on by the Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department last week. Fifteen skaters, as young as 7 years old, came out for the four-day event to advance their skills or try the sport for the first time.

First-year coach Michael Blauvelt said the camp was a great opportunity for young skaters to familiarize themselves with the sport — and the park.

Often, the skatepark is teeming with more advanced and older skateboarders, creating an intimidating atmosphere for those new to the arena. Blauvelt said the camp allowed beginner skaters a chance to ride without that pressure.

He wanted skaters to walk away from the camp with more confidence in their ability and a better understanding of etiquette and how to ride safely alongside more aggressive skaters.

Campers worked on basic skills and a few intermediate tricks, such as ollies (an aerial skateboarding maneuver) and dropping in on the steep swimming pool-shaped bowls.

Jessica Henson, 8, said this was her first time at the skateboard camp, now in its third year, and that she really enjoyed it. Henson spent Wednesday practicing on small ramps and riding in the "fakie" stance.

Blauvelt worked with Henson on the quarter pipe, pushing her from behind as she skated up the ramp on her bright pink board and back down to Blauvelt, going higher with each push.

"Nice work Jessica," Blauvelt encouraged. "Keep those knees bent."

Blauvelt's son, Michael, who is also a coach at the camp, spent the morning working with more advanced riders. He skated along side the campers and offered words of support as they attempted to catch air over a skateboard set on the top of a ramp.

Billy Droskoski, 10, was one of the campers working with Blauvelt. He is a regular visitor to the skatepark and says he is trying to take his skills up a notch.

"I've gotten way better than I used to be," Droskoski said. "I wish the camp lasted all summer," he said.