“THAT was DOPE!” exclaims Eric Mootz, one of the 12 enthusiastic volunteer skoaches who attended the two-day Skateboard Coaches (Skoaches) Training Clinic sponsored by GMAS at Talent Skateboard Park on May 17-18, 2025.
Seven adaptive athletes also came to the clinic to try skateboarding and put the skoaches to the test. Wheelchair users got to learn a few new tricks, as well as show the skoaches a thing or two. Everyone is already collaborating on additional modifications that could be made to the chairs.
According to Eric Mootz, “Skateparks are the perfect marriage of adaptive sports and culture because a skatepark is very adaptive. Wanna ride a wheelchair? Go for it dude. Wanna rock a scooter? Sure. But be safe and have fun. Today was very inspiring, and I think that was one of the best Sundays of my life.”
Alex was ready to get the feel of wheeling on the skateboard with the support of her volunteer skoach, Tyler Jenkins.
“We are so excited to give Aidan the chance to participate in adaptive skateboarding,” says Maura O’Neill, a GMAS parent. “Aidan was immediately comfortable at Talent, their team is out of this world. We look forward to building his confidence on a skateboard and hope to translate these skills to snowboarding as well. We are endlessly grateful to GMAS, Talent, and Ability for giving Aidan this opportunity.”
Everyone went home with a huge smile on their faces, and great connections were made all around. We now have a solid group of freshly trained skoaches at Talent, thanks to Andrew Garcia and Cris Hampton of Ability Skateboarding who traveled from Texas to lead the training.
The new GMAS Adaptive Skateboard program, in partnership with Talent Skatepark, will launch in the Fall of 2025. This training was a great opportunity for both skoaches and athletes to get together for a taste of what’s in store in the near future. From the sounds of it, the hype is real – everyone is excited for an adaptive skateboard program!
Read more about the upcoming GMAS Adaptive Skateboard Program. Vermonters living with a disability can apply to receive a scholarship for sessions and lessons at Talent Skatepark in Burlington, Vermont. Registration will open later this summer.
This young athlete, Alex found her comfort level doing the “crab walk” down the Talent hallway with Skoaches Davis Chuck and Amy Rixon.
Aidan, with skoach Adam Provost, was immediately comfortable at Talent and loved his experience on the skateboard.
MiKayla and Mo ripped in their wheelchairs and showed the skoaches a thing or two.
Andrew Garcia discussing adaptations for the upcoming session with the skoaches.
Lucas Sommerville and Amy Rixon, Program Manager at the Kelly Brush Foundation getting familiar with some of the equipment.
DOPE event! Group shot from Skoaches Clinic at Talent, May 2025.
By Pascale Savard
May 19, 2025