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Youngsters learn skating safety at skate park clinic

August 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Skate Park News, StarNewsGroup.com

By Caren Caterina

Matt Keating, 15, of Sea Girt, demonstrated not only some of his moves, but the importance of wearing a helmet while skateboarding, during Saturday’s skate park safety clinic, hosted by the Belmar Mayor’s Wellness Committee.
Photo by SUEANNE GOSS, STAR NEWS GROUP

The Mayor’s Wellness Committee in Belmar recently helped area youth learn the importance of safety when it comes to skateboarding.

Last Saturday, the Mayor’s Wellness Committee hosted a skate park safety clinic at the recently built skate park located on 16th Avenue, in Belmar.

The skate park safety clinic, which was free to the public, provided healthy snacks and water for those skateboarding, as well as the chance to win helmets for skateboarding and bicycling through raffles.

Many members of the Mayor’s Wellness Committee were in attendance, including Belmar Councilwoman Claire Deicke, Belmar resident Christine Stoner, who is a member of the committee and also works part time as a health counselor, and Belmar resident Connie Gutierrez, who is a member of the committee and manager of marketing for Health Net.

“I am lucky to have them,” said Councilwoman Deicke, of Ms. Stoner and Ms. Gutierrez.

Councilwoman Deicke also noted that Mike Campbell, the recreation director for the borough and also a member of the committee, has helped with many of the borough’s events in the past, including helping to advertise for Saturday’s safety clinic.

Ms. Gutierrez explained that Health Net is an organization that helps to promote health and wellness, as well as provides safety information to the community of Belmar.

“Belmar has recently opened a new skateboarding park, so we thought it would be a great idea to provide information to parents and kids,” she said.

Ms. Stoner said while the borough wants to provide “fun” for the local youth, the “at-risk” factors for not wearing a helmet when partaking in activities such as skateboarding are “enormous.”

Councilwoman Deicke said that the mayor and council is also considering the idea of having youth, who wish to use the skate park, become registered. Participants of the skate park would then get a sticker to wear on their helmet, said the councilwoman.

Ralph Rossano, 12, of West Belmar, who has been skateboarding since he was 8, said that he felt it was important to wear a helmet while partaking in the activity, “so you don’t fall and hit your head and crack it open.”

Tim Smith, 12, also of West Belmar, who said he has been skateboarding for 7 years, said that he thought it was a good idea that the committee was hosting a safety clinic.

“They are trying to make sure everyone wears a helmet so they don’t get hurt,” he said.

Many of the youth who were skateboarding on Saturday realized while they could have fun, they also needed to stay safe.

Kaleb Heltke, 10, of West Belmar, said that he truly enjoys skateboarding and always wears a helmet.

“I think it is fun,” he said. “A lot of kids skate and they can teach you tricks and help you out.”

The Mayor’s Wellness Committee will also be hosting a health fair for area residents on Oct. 10 at the Taylor Pavilion, said Councilwoman Deicke.

Additionally, in the past, the committee has also reached out to the community through other areas.

The councilwoman noted that Ms. Stoner has reached out to the St. Rose and Belmar Elementary School PTA with speaking to them on proper nutrition for children. The committee has also held several walks in the area, including on the boardwalk, to promote a healthier lifestyle.

More Belmar news, plus full coverage of southern Monmouth and northern Ocean counties, can be found at starnewsgroup.com.

Tags: Belmar News, The Coast Star

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