01.03.2022
We caught up with Edu-Skate head trainer Rayquon Abrahams for a fast chat about his function at Freedom Skatepark in Kingston, Jamaica. Rayquon options in Freedom to Flourish, Jago Inventory‘s documentary concerning the park, which you’ll be able to watch right here. Gallery of images 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 tug me to this “cool place”, however it was tremendous pretentious. However I used to be so glad I went as a result of I met her pal 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 vans, Walmart wheels… It was so shit however I believed it was probably the most lovely factor I’d ever owned.
How was the skate scene in Jamaica while you began?
To be sincere it was utterly small, non-existent even. It nonetheless sort of feels non-existent to this present day, however I can inform that it’s rising much more than it did again within the day once I began skating. I began to see change after the (Freedom) skatepark was made.
How did you first turn out to be concerned with the Freedom Skatepark undertaking?
I used to be going to the DIY Gully to skate and that’s once I met Tim (van Asdonck, Director of Applications, 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 wanted a skatepark. I positively let everybody how necessary getting one was.
Inform us about Edu-Skate.
Edu-skate is only one a part of the primary components of the features for the skatepark to assist children develop and develop as skate boarders, younger ladies and boys who’re attempting to higher themselves. It’s there to assist them develop in a optimistic method by way of skateboarding.
Describe your function as head trainer.
I organise courses, I guarantee that every thing runs easily all through the day, I’ll hold my co-workers in examine schedule clever, 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 absolutely managed by an area crew. 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 accountability.
What do you consider the park itself?
It’s constructed like a transition skatepark. I want it was extra avenue, however don’t get me confused – I admire what I received.
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 every thing!
How is the scene on the Gully DIY skatepark today?
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 at all times 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 children to return and skate / study?
By everybody posting and showcasing the park day by day, for instance my Youtube channel the place every thing skate-related.
Inform us extra concerning the children 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 superb. It’s stunning plenty of the time to see them shortly progress the way in which they do. They arrive there as a result of they actually find it irresistible.
Do they need to be skilled skate boarders?
I positive hope so nevertheless we are able to’t inform till we really see them exit on the earth 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 supply some training to children on the skatepark throughout this era. Are you able to inform us extra about this? How did Edu-Skate and the employees at Freedom Skatepark deal with this accountability?
It was no drawback. Everyone knows what it’s prefer to be a skater; it nearly felt pure to be a serving to hand and train and disperse data with these children. I suppose all of it comes again to skateboarding and the way all of us need to study a trick and provides that very same assist again to a homie. It was straightforward for us.
What’s deliberate for Freedom Skatepark / Edu-Skate in 2022?
Working arduous to create extra skaters to encourage for a complete new era to return.
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
