01.03.2022
We caught up with Edu-Skate head instructor Rayquon Abrahams for a fast chat about his position at Freedom Skatepark in Kingston, Jamaica. Rayquon options in Freedom to Flourish, Jago Inventory‘s documentary concerning the park, which you’ll watch right here. Gallery of pictures from the park beneath.
Images: Crossley & Inventory
Interview: Kingsford
How did you begin skating?
I used to be courting this one lady and one random day she simply determined to pull me to this “cool place”, but it surely was tremendous pretentious. However I used to be so joyful I went as a result of I met her buddy Matthew, who longboarded and that caught my eye immediately. Then he proceeded to con me out of J$6000 for a crappy full. It was a inexperienced cash Baker board with yellow Darkstar vehicles, Walmart wheels… It was so shit however I assumed it was essentially the most stunning factor I’d ever owned.
How was the skate scene in Jamaica if you began?
To be sincere it was utterly small, non-existent even. It nonetheless sort of feels non-existent to at the present time, however I can inform that it’s rising much more than it did again within the day after I began skating. I began to see change after the (Freedom) skatepark was made.
How did you first change into concerned with the Freedom Skatepark mission?
I used to be going to the DIY Gully to skate and that’s after I met Tim (van Asdonck, Director of Packages, Concrete Jungle Basis) for the primary time, and he requested me if I needed to be part of this video saying how a lot we would have liked a skatepark. I undoubtedly let everybody how necessary getting one was.
Inform us about Edu-Skate.
Edu-skate is only one a part of the principle components of the features for the skatepark to assist youngsters develop and develop as skate boarders, younger ladies and boys who’re attempting to raised themselves. It’s there to assist them develop in a constructive means by way of skateboarding.
Describe your position as head instructor.
I organise lessons, I be sure that the whole lot runs easily all through the day, I’ll preserve my co-workers in examine schedule sensible, letting them know when it’s time to distribute water, fruit, skateboards, helmets, kneepads and see to it that they (the youngsters) are all protected and the sport plan for the day goes in accordance with plan.
What’s your favorite a part of your job?
Attending to encourage the youngsters and to assist them develop a ardour for skateboarding.
The park and its programmes at the moment are totally managed by a neighborhood group. Why is that this necessary?
As a result of it helps give alternatives to the locals and helps them higher themselves in a great route, to not point out duty.
What do you concentrate on the park itself?
It’s constructed like a transition skatepark. I want it was extra avenue, however don’t get me confused – I respect what I bought.
Do you continue to avenue skate?
Sure sah oh yo imply I used to be born in di streets. Translation: “sure”. I’m attempting to be like my favourite, Ishod Wair – skate the whole lot!
How is the scene on the Gully DIY skatepark as of late?
Folks do skate there on a regular basis nonetheless, even the brand new era of children. I haven’t been again there shortly as a result of I all the time fall and get harm there, however I do really feel much more cofident if I ever do skate there once more, due to the (Freedom) skatepark.
How do the youngsters discover the Freedom Skatepark or how do you discover youngsters to come back and skate / be taught?
By everybody posting and showcasing the park every day, for instance my Youtube channel the place the whole lot skate-related.
Inform us extra concerning the youngsters who come to Freedom Skatepark. Why do they arrive? Have they got an curiosity in skateboarding already?
Yeah man. They’ve such a drive on their very own; it’s wonderful. It’s shocking a variety of the time to see them shortly progress the way in which they do. They arrive there as a result of they actually adore it.
Do they need to be skilled skate boarders?
I certain hope so nonetheless we will’t inform till we really see them exit on this planet and completely ship it… not only for skateboarding but in addition for themselves and our nation, Jamaica.
Faculties closed on the island in the course of the pandemic. The documentary touches on how Edu-Skate was capable of provide some training to youngsters on the skatepark throughout this era. Are you able to inform us extra about this? How did Edu-Skate and the workers at Freedom Skatepark address this duty?
It was no drawback. Everyone knows what it’s wish to be a skater; it virtually felt pure to be a serving to hand and educate and disperse information with these youngsters. I assume all of it comes again to skateboarding and the way all of us need to be taught a trick and provides that very same assist again to a homie. It was simple for us.
What’s deliberate for Freedom Skatepark / Edu-Skate in 2022?
Working laborious to create extra skaters to encourage for an entire new era to come back.
How do you see skateboarding in Jamaica rising over the subsequent ten years?
Everybody skating; it doesn’t matter who you’re. Sesh!
Images by Jeff Crossley
Images by Jago Inventory
