Skateboard Lessons by Anthony L. from Valparaiso, IN

Anthony Lickwar has been skateboarding for half of his life,
and sees no sign of stopping any time soon. If anything, his love for
skateboarding grows with each day. Based in Valparaiso, Indiana, and having grown
up in Northwest Indiana, his skateboard has taken him to places that few others
not on board would ever have the chance to see, both in his own region and
across the country. With an interest in education and a passion for skating,
instructing beginners and helping to introduce them to this wide, varied and
rewarding world of skateboarding is very nearly a dream come true. Having
gained so much from skateboarding, Anthony sees the opportunity to share the
experience with others and help to cultivate another’s passion for it as just
as rewarding as the act of skating itself. With twelve years of devotion to the
board, Anthony’s skills have increased exponentially with his understanding of
the practice, method, mindset, and technicalities of skateboarding, giving him
ample ability to convey skating in ways that will resonate with beginners and
develop an understanding that goes beyond just muscle memory. He understands
that almost everyone’s first attraction to skateboarding is in the witnessing
of it being performed—in the mysterious maneuver that is the ollie, the
shuvit, the kickflip, or even simply an effortless push down the street.
Anthony knows this feeling because he himself first stepped on board after
seeing someone commit such feats, with the boundless fun that seemed to emanate
from it. And this is what he believes skateboarding should be about, first,
last and always: Fun. A skateboard has a unique way of kindling joy in its
user, both alone and with others. Anthony believes that the mostly free-form
structure, or otherwise complete lack of structure, is one of the main factors
for this. Aside from the basic methods of performing certain tricks, the rest
of skateboarding is left to the skater’s interpretation and creativity.
Learning the basics leads to the skater’s muscle memory and a general
understanding of the capabilities of the board, and with this, an entire world
is opened. To help introduce this world to young people captivated by the magic
and fun of a skateboard is to Anthony the very definition of meaningful work.
Skateboarding may seem trivial and juvenile, and indeed this is true, but it is
just these qualities that endow it with a freedom and enjoyment unique among
other activities. It is no wonder that Lance Mountain, a truly legendary
skateboarder once said: “Skateboarding doesn’t make you a skateboarder; not
being able to stop skateboarding makes you a skateboarder.”