Skateboarding Can Change Lives!

This week is about Outreach. These are our sessions at which Skateistan Educators and Youth Leaders provide skateboards and instruction to local kids at our Skate Schools and Outreach locations in the countries where we work. It is at our Outreach sessions that many kids try skateboarding for the first time. It acts as the hook to register them for our other programs such as Skate and Create. The essence of skateboarding is how it brings people together. This essence lies at the heart of all of our programs and it is how Skateistan first began.

Inspired by our skateboarding roots, we chatted with an array of Citizens this week from illustrator Michael Sieben, to Outreach student Thando and we tell the story of the new girl skaters of Johannesburg. Skateboarding can change lives!

Citizen of Skateistan: Thando's Story

Programs Essentials: Outreach

Outreach = staff member or Youth Leader + skateboards + protective gear +  shoes

'Outreach can take you anywhere' says Pheakna, an Educator at Skateistan Cambodia! Every time our staff members arrive with skateboards at Outreach locations, the local kids are full of enthusiasm and motivation to get on board and try new things.

This Week's Giveaway: Street League Tickets!

You could be sitting here! This week's giveaway for Citizens is a big one! We have 2 pairs of tickets for premium seats at the Street League Skateboarding stops in New Jersey (28th Aug) and Los Angeles (2nd Oct). Watch the pro's, such as Paul Rodriguez and Shane O'Neill, up close!

How to win?

1. Sign up to be a Citizen of Skateistan, by donating $10 or more a month.
2. You will be automatically entered into the prize draw, alongside all Citizens, to win the tickets* (we will get in touch to see if winners can make it).
3. Easy as that!

Winners will be announced next week. (*Tickets only, travel and accommodation not included.)

How has skateboarding and art been a part of your life?

Sieben holding a t-shirt he designed when he was 12 years old. Photo by Sandy Carson.

"Almost 30 years later I’m still engaged and inspired by skateboarding and continue to make art both within skateboarding’s bubble, as well as for a larger audience." - Michael Sieben, Illustrator.

Read our interview with the successful and inspirational designer and illustrator of the skateboard world (and beyond), Michael Sieben. We ask him about art, skateboarding and how they can change people's lives.

Citizen (winner) of the Week!