Mentoring is a weird word.
I’m a mentor.
I’m also a skateboarder.
As a skateboarder, it feels a bit strange to use the label mentor within this culture/lifestyle/sport since skateboarding is often individualistic. However, with this article I hope to inspire you to see mentoring as a vital element of a growing skate scene. I believe you can make a difference and help grow a thriving skateboarding community wherever you live.
To make this point, let’s begin with influence. Take a quick look around at how many kids (who don’t skate) wear Vans shoes and Thrasher tees. This is evidence of our skateboarding culture working its way into the rest of society. What’s more, this year skateboarding will be in the Olympics for the first time. A simple toy from the 1960’s is now globally recognized as an Olympic sport. Tony Hawk says that skateboarding doesn’t need the Olympics. The Olympics needs skateboarding.
Simply put: skateboarders are influential.
The challenge is - when I accept that I have a level of influence and that my actions can impact another - am I willing to accept the responsibility that goes with it?
Most skateboarders do not want to add responsibility to skateboarding. That’s okay. This work is not for everyone, but for us to move toward a better world, someone’s gotta take ownership.
Are you up for the challenge?
It’s going to be difficult, frustrating and at times, you will fail… a lot like skateboarding.
“It’s going to be difficult, frustrating and at times, you will fail… a lot like skateboarding.”
What does it mean to mentor?
A common misconception is you have to be a “successful adult” to mentor. Do I need to fill out an application, receive training and connect through a proper organization to be a mentor?
Not at all.
While these things are good and helpful, in skateboarding (and life), you can begin making a difference today. You can radically impact the world around you.
What does it mean for us at SOLID?
Your skateboarding community belongs to you. What do you want it to look like? How were you treated as a kid? Was it helpful or harmful? How can you make a difference in the life of a young skater who’s just getting started?
Reach out, learn a name, make a friend
How great is it when someone you respect remembers your name? This is a simple but impactful way of building community.
We believe there’s a young kid at the park (or local spot) who looks up to you. You can reach out. You can learn a name. You can make a friend. You can contribute to building your community.
What if I make a mistake? I can very easily lead a kid down the wrong path.
The reality is - you will make mistakes. But if you can keep pushing on a skateboard - think of making a difference and mentoring in the same way.
Pick yourself up, brush yourself off and try again.
At SOLID, we believe authentic relationships form when we build community, and out of these relationships, mentoring happens organically.
Mentoring means many different things depending on the needs of the individual, and in a community of skateboarders, the need we meet is often understood in hindsight.
We believe mentoring relationships can simply begin with an older skateboarder taking ownership for their community and skate scene. We spend time together, listen, support and share ideas. This is just one way we can be a part of something much greater than ourselves.
It may not be for everyone, but we hope it’s for you.
Interested in getting involved? Reach out. Let’s connect.
You can make a difference right now! Donate today, and help skateboarders apply their grit to the rest of life.