Ashburton Courier: May 14, 2021

COUNCILBRIEF
5Baring SquareWest,Ashburton |POBox 94, Ashburton, NewZealand 7740 | Telephone (03) 307 7700 | Website ashburtondc.govt.nz
Week of 10 May 2021 | ISSUE 28
SkateJam draws crowd forYouth Week launch
Over 150 skate enthusiasts dropped in
to Ashburton YouthCouncil'sSkate Jam
event onSunday (9 May) in Ashburton,
kickingoffYouthWeek.
The second annual youth-focused event
co-hosted by Cheapskates Skate Skool
attracted rangatahi (youth) and tamariki
(children) of all park-riding levels who
wereprovidedfreegearhireand coaching.
Four professional skate instructors from
Christchurch based Cheapskates Skate
Skool,whichboastsNewZealand’slongestrunning
learn-to-skate-programme, were
in attendance and helped facilitate the
event.
Anational titleholder and Paris Olympic
2024 hopeful, 26-year-old Krysta Ashwell,
and one of the instructors onthe day,
proved popular with participants and
parents alike.
“It wasgreat to hear that people
enjoyed Cheapskates Skate
Skool involvement, the event
atmosphere, and overall funness,”
said Ashburton District
Councillor LynetteLovett.
“Cheapskates Skate Skool
instructorshelped peopledevelop
their skills, learn new tricks
and helped beginners with the
confidencetogive it ago,”said AYC
Deputy Chair and Event Liaison
HenryGoodes.
“These beginners included several AYC
membersaswell,”addedAYCDeputyChair
and Community Liaison LaraShierlaw.
The Skate Skool emcee wrapped up the
day, running three competitions that
included an all-girls class, boys under 13,
followed by an open boys competition.
AYC members Georgia, Sofia, and Anna,
took part in the all-girls competition,
despiteneverhavingbeenonaskateboard
before the event.
“Peoplesaid they’dliketosee the
event held again next year, and
possibly, in Methven,”she said.
On the day, AYC also conducted ayouth
audit of the skate park, with the survey
results to be reported at alater stage.
The event wassupported by YMCA, Sport
Canterbury, The Trust Ashburton, Safer
Mid Canterbury, Base Youth Centre and
AraTaiohi.
SkateJamwasthefirstoffourmainevents
hosted by the Ashburton Youth Council.
The next Ashburton Youth Council event
will be the NZ Mountain Film Festival on
Saturday,7August, beginning at 7pmat
the AshburtonTrust Eventcentre.
Youth Week is anationwide festival of
events held by young people and runs
from Saturday, 8May 2021 through to
Sunday,16May 2021.
Youth Week is anationwide festival of
events held by young people and runs
from Saturday, 8May 2021 through to
Sunday,16May 2021.
1 ashburtondc.govt.nz
Week of 10 May 2021 |ISSUE 28