Skate Camp helps beginning boarders

MARYSVILLE — Learning to skateboard can be tough at first, but thanks to a Marysville Parks and Recreation Department Ultimate Skate Camp, several boys have gotten a safe start to the sport.

The Ultimate Skate Camp was one of this summer’s final ultimate sports camps, and with the Marysville Skate Park all to themselves, campers took advantage of the time they spent with veteran skateboarders and coaches, Brandi Powell and Jessie Murphy.

“When I was 18, a family friend was 7 and he was teaching me all the tricks he learned,” said Powell, who works as a training director at Stevens Pass. Murphy is also a training director, at Snoqualmie Pass. “[Marysville] was looking for new coaches and Jessi and I were like, ‘We can come do it’” said Powell.

The camp, which is in its second year in Marysville, offered four days of training in a variety of skate skills and tricks. “On Monday, we looked at everyone’s skill level and then did some basics, individual coaching, ollies, and learning to roll down the ramp,” said Powell. “On Tuesday, we learned turning, carving, kick turns and tic-tacks. In the grass we learned kick tricks.”

At the end of each day, Powell and Murphy set up a slalom course with cones and each child participates in the race, attempting to beat their own personal record from the previous day. The skateboarders also filled out diagrams detailing the parts of a skateboard and were tested later in the week on what they learned.

On the last day of the camp, a demonstration was held where each camper was able to show the rest of the kids and their coaches everything they learned — from kick tricks to jumps and everything in between.

“It’s cool they get to learn in this environment,” said Andrea Kingsford, of the Parks and Recreation Department. “It’s not just trial by fire. I’m hoping as it builds we can even do camps for different ability levels.”

“I gained more confidence in going down ramps,” said camper Jadon Brannam, who hoped to learn more flip tricks. “I’ll probably skateboard for a long time.”

Powell and Murphy are open to coming back and coaching the camp next summer. “It’s been a lot of fun, I’d love to come back,” said Powell. For more information on summer sports camps, call Marysville Parks and Recreation at 360-363-8400.

Contact Marysville Globe Reporter Lauren Salcedo at lsalcedo@arlingtontimes.com or 360-659-1300, Ext. 5054.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.