From Garage Find to Half-Pipe Hero

It all started with a garage find. This summer, Gabriel’s friend handed him a well-loved skateboard, rescued from a garage clean-out, and the adventure began. Gabriel, ever ready for a new challenge, took to it right away, testing his balance and learning to glide along the paths in the park. But as he practiced, he quickly discovered that the board—solid and a bit heavy—made it hard for him to turn or pick up much speed. Despite the challenges, he was hooked on the thrill of skateboarding but hesitant to drop in on ramps.

Inspiration at the Bournemouth Arts Festival

A few weeks later, we headed to the Bournemouth Arts Festival, where skateboarding fever really took hold. The festival had set up a big ramp, and we watched in awe as pro skaters flipped, spun, and performed tricks at dizzying heights. Gabriel was mesmerized by their skill, and I could see his wheels turning (literally and figuratively) as he imagined himself mastering similar tricks one day.

In true festival spirit, there was a small skate arena set up by the folks from HappySkater, where kids could try out a mini ramp under the guidance of some friendly skateboard coaches. Gabriel didn’t need to be asked twice. He eagerly grabbed a board and got in line, listening intently to the coaches as they explained the basics and showed the kids how to do mini drop-ins on the small ramp.

Gabriel practiced with laser focus, learning to position his feet and shift his weight just right. He took his share of tumbles, but his determination was inspiring. After multiple attempts, he finally nailed it—landing his first mini drop-in to a cheer from me. I could see the pride in his smile; he’d caught the skateboarding bug for sure.

A New Skateboard and Local Skatepark Adventures

On the way home, we stopped by Decimal Skate Shop in Cirencester. Gabriel decided to treat himself, spending his hard-earned pocket money on a brand-new skateboard that was lighter, agile, and perfectly suited to his size. The shop staff were fantastic, offering advice and getting him set up with the perfect board, and soon Gabriel was ready to tackle the skateparks in style.

From that point on, every weekend became an excuse to explore a new skatepark. Cirencester’s park quickly became a favourite, with its mix of ramps providing plenty of room for him to test his skills. He’d practice turns, speed, and drop-ins with incredible focus. Every time he fell, he’d get right back up, determined to master his new board. The progression was impressive, and he was gaining confidence with each session.

A Bournemouth Half-Term to Remember

By October half-term, Gabriel was itching to level up his skills even more. We headed back to Bournemouth, where we discovered Prevail Skatehouse—a local skate haven. With the encouragement of HappySkaters Mike and Rich, Gabriel spent every morning honing his skills on increasingly steeper ramps. The team at Prevail could see his determination, and they helped him push his boundaries, guiding him on how to handle bigger drop-ins and navigate the larger ramps.

Watching Gabriel practice each morning, I was amazed at his resilience. Skateboarding is as much about falling as it is about landing, and Gabriel took each fall in stride, popping back up, ready to try again. By the end of the week, he was pulling off bigger drop-ins and tackling ramps he wouldn’t have dared just one month before.

From Beginner to Skater

What started as a simple garage find has turned into a full-fledged passion. Gabriel has grown so much through his skateboarding journey—not just in skill, but in confidence, resilience, and a sheer love for the art and sport. Now, when he hops on his skateboard, I can see a spark in his eye; he’s no longer just a kid with a board, but a skater with a purpose.

Here’s to many more weekends at the skatepark, bigger and bolder ramps, and, of course, the joy of watching Gabriel’s unstoppable determination take him to new heights—one drop-in at a time.