Over 150 skate enthusiasts dropped in to Ashburton Youth Council's Skate Jam event on Sunday (9 May) in Ashburton, kicking off Youth Week.

The second annual youth-focused event co-hosted by Cheapskates Skate Skool attracted rangatahi (youth) and tamariki (children) of all park-riding levels who were provided free gear hire and coaching.

Four professional skate instructors from Christchurch based Cheapskates Skate Skool, which boasts New Zealand’s longest-running learn-to-skate-programme, were in attendance and helped facilitate the event.

A national titleholder and Paris Olympic 2024 hopeful, 26-year-old Krysta Ashwell, and one of the instructors on the day, proved popular with participants and parents alike.

"Cheapskates Skate Skool instructors helped people develop their skills, learn new tricks and helped beginners with the confidence to give it a go," said AYC Deputy Chair and Event Liaison Henry Goodes.

"These beginners included several AYC members as well," added AYC Deputy Chair and Community Liaison Lara Shierlaw.

The Skate Skool emcee wrapped up the day, running three competitions that included an all-girls class, boys under 13, followed by an open boys competition.

AYC members Georgia, Sofia, and Anna, took part in the all-girls competition, despite never having been on a skateboard before the event.

"It was great to hear that people enjoyed Cheapskates Skate Skool involvement, the event atmosphere, and overall fun-ness," said Ashburton District Councillor Lynette Lovett.

"People said they’d like to see the event held again next year, and possibly, in Methven," she said.

On the day, AYC also conducted a youth audit of the skate park, with the survey results to be reported at a later stage.

The event was supported by YMCA, Sport Canterbury, The Trust Ashburton, Safer Mid Canterbury, Base Youth Centre and Ara Taiohi.

Skate Jam was the first of four main events hosted by the Ashburton Youth Council. The next Ashburton Youth Council event will be the NZ Mountain Film Festival on Saturday, 7 August, beginning at 7 pm at the Ashburton Trust Event centre.

Youth Week is a nationwide festival of events held by young people and runs from Saturday, 8 May 2021 through to Sunday, 16 May 2021.