Head coach puts passion into practice in new self-expressive sport

By Michron Robinson

Local skateboarding is getting a big push with the launch of a new skate school. The head coach wants people of all ages to take up the sport, saying it can help with depression and anxiety.

Adrian Bowen head coach at Push Skate Academy and President of the SkateBoard Association of Barbados told a launch ceremony that self-expressive sports such as roller skating and skateboarding play an important role in expression and thought processing.

“These roller sports are mixed with a very artistic element so it’s not just the element of competition which most sports are geared towards, but it’s a big avenue for self-expression. You are not competing against anyone, you are just focused on what you’re doing and going through your own thoughts. I just find that to be very therapeutic. It can help people to deal with anxiety and depression,” he added.

Bowen said that though sport is important
to everyone’s development he could attest to the
growth an individual sees in themselves through skateboarding.

“I think skating is one of the best sporting activities you can find. I grew up as an athlete, I grew up playing basketball, I went to college and played basketball there as well and the value of sports is instrumental in everyone’s development but more so skateboarding and roller skating.”

Bowen spoke to Barbados TODAY at the Kaitiff Skatepark at the Wildey Gymnasium during the launch of Push Skate Academy which has been a passion project for him.

“Push for me was really a mission of passion,” he said, adding that he has been working at skateboarding for the last decade extending his efforts to Trinidad, St Lucia and Grenada.

“I found out that during the height of COVID-19 it really was an opportunity for us to get back to skating. Skating is one of the first sports that we’ve been able to get back out to quickly in the pandemic because it’s a non-contact sport. So that gave us an avenue to get back out and so many kids picked up skating after being locked down,” he recalled.

At that time, the association’s president explained, he has had, a big pool of beginner skaters along with those at the intermediate and advanced levels.

Parent Ruth Blackman who brought her sons to take part in the Push Skate Academy said that it was important for their self-expression.

“My son absolutely loves skating so it’s something that I think would help them to express themselves and it’s something that they enjoy tremendously,” she told Barbados TODAY.

Bowen said that the 45-minute skate sessions are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and weekends. 

(MR)