Whether you're 8 or 58, there’s something undeniably cool about cruising down the street on a skateboard. And something undeniably normal about feeling an aversion to falling off, hurting yourself and breaking your arm. And that’s where skateboarding lessons come in. Maximise cool. Minimise life changing injury.
What the what?
It could be one of St Albans biggest open secrets, The Pioneer Club, AKA Europe’s oldest indoor skatepark. That’s right, heritage right here that doesn’t involve the Romans, the cathedral (albeit magnificent), The Zombies or Enter Shikari (also good). The Pioneer Club is a charity that started life as a youth club for evacuees in 1942 and now runs skate sessions throughout the week, for kids, adults, for the experienced board rider and in my case for total newbies.
There are several learner classes to choose from, I opted for a private lesson, mainly because at 50 I feel like I might need a bit more careful handling (I refer back to the fear of life-changing injuries bit…). All the equipment is included – helmets, kneepads, elbow pads and importantly a skateboard although you can bring your own.
What did we do?
My hour lesson, went something like this…
Kit up, safety briefing and then onto the basics… stance, a bit of rolling backwards and forwards, turns leaning forwards, turns leaning backwards, feet positions… And then with a little bit of confidence under my wheels I attempted my first teeny tiny, ramp (allergic to injuries remember). During the first few attempts the instructor held my hands, but then… no hands, some jubilant shouting, and still no injuries.
After that we moved around the skatepark, kept rolling, kept turning and went down a few more ramps. And yes they were stumbles, there was definitely a bit of jumping off the board, but it was awesome fun, I developed further than I expected to and finished the hour unharmed.
Final Thoughts
I never got to skate when I was younger – I lived in the countryside where there was lots of grass, no pavements and even the roads were pebbled (not too dissimilar to a certain advert for an online retailer) – so I felt like I had missed out. Was it worth doing at the tender age of 50? Absolutely. I loved it, and since that first lesson, there have now been a few more, and yes, I can drop-in on the quarterpipe. And yes it’s still nerve-wracking. And no, still no broken bones. Come on!
Skate lessons are one of the activities available at the Pioneer Club, and are available as kids classes adults classes or private classes.
Prices start at £10
If you already skate there are plenty of drop in sessions for you to go to, and unlike other some other skate parks, The Pioneer Club always has a couple of attendants on duty if you need some tips, help or if you do take a tumble and need a bit of repair
Alternatives
If you're looking for a bit of adrenaline fueled adventure, but a plank of wood on wheels isn't your thing, then you could consider
Mountain biking - the Cycle Hub in Cottonmill has some serious outside bike tracks (and one huge jump!) and one hard surface pump track. It's also free. Look out for their bike maintenance and learn to cycle workshops too.
Paintballing - there's something uniquely invigorating about running around the woods shooting at your fellow competitors, and we have one of the best paintballing arenas right on our doorstep, Paintball Hertfordshire
Snowboarding - The snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead offers snowboard lessons (and skiing lessons) on real snow. Great instructors. Quiet during the day, much busier in the evening and especially on weekends.
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