Skate park camp gives kids an edge

Local youths are strapping on their helmets and knee and elbow pads and skating into a unique camp this summer at several venues in Salt Lake and Davis counties.

The children, ages 6-14, are taking part in Spock's Skate Camp, where they can learn everything from skateboarding fundamentals to skate park etiquette while maneuvering through the hills and valleys of a concrete bowl.

"You can learn moves," said Damien Whitley, 8, of Ogden. "You can do wall rides and wall turns."

Whitley is just one of many children participating in the camp, which is directed by Erick Spock who started skateboarding when he was 11 years old and went on to be a sponsored amateur skater.

Now at the age of 41, the Salt Lake City resident is helping others learn and perfect their skateboarding skills.

Several children met at the Clearfield City Skate Park, 934 S. 1000 East, June 12 for one of the skate camp sessions. At one point they were learning to turn their skateboards while skating.

The children anxiously watched Spock demonstrate a backside turn before attempting it themselves. Spock held the hands of several of the skateboarders to help them get their balance.

Some of the students practiced on their own while waiting their turn.

"I can't believe I keep wiping out," Whitley said as he tried his hand at the new skill.

Most of the time if the students fell down, Spock was right there to help them up.

"Here you go, come on," he said to one skateboarder who took a spill. "Let's give it another try."

The skate camp is designed for beginning and intermediate skateboarders. Spock said the instructors teach everything from how to stand on or push a skateboard to how to respect a skate park. He said the motto of the camp is "All the values, twice the fun."

"First we start off with safety, and we talk about how to use their pads so they can fall correctly and safely," he said.

Each participant is required to wear a helmet and knee and elbow pads.

Samantha Embley, 6, of Clearfield also wears wrist pads while skating.

"These ones are bestest," she said, while pointing to the black pads on her wrist. "There's 12 bones in your wrist that could break easily."

William Hendry, 8, of Roy said skaters must also have the right gear on their feet.