and
a different kinda "Civilization".....
WASN: How long have you been skating? How old are you?
PAM: I'm 23 years old and have been skating for about 10
months.
WASN: How did you get into it?
Pam: I was introduced to aggressive skating by my best
friend Brandi Miller! She has been a great inspiration to
me! I remember not long ago looking back and watching
her drop in on quarter pipes, thinking she was crazy! Not
long after, She then encouraged me to try it and I fell in
love with it! She’s taught herself everything! I have been
lucky to have her teach me and push me beyond my fears. I
owe a lot of thanks to her!
WASN: Tell us about your teaching?
PAM: Brandi and I work at an enrichment program for
children ages 5-12. We were very interested in providing
the children with the same opportunity that we had!
"Skating!"
We built a small quarter pipe, tabletop, and a
wedge for the children to learn on! Soon after, Our
"Rollarblade" club took off!
We started by teaching the
kids about proper safety requirements, ways to stop and
fall, and how to have fun! And then... before we knew it,
The kids were launching off the ramps, and grinding.
These kids took so much interest in the sport we now have
a spine, an 8ft long grinding box, and more ramps being
built! We have about 25-30 Kindergarten students active
and about 20-30 1-6 graders! It's an awesome opportunity
to give younger children the same opportunity that we
have! It's not as easy for them to go to a big skate park
and learn! They need a lot of instruction and support!
WASN: Who do you like to skate with?
PAM: Who do I love to skate with? Hm... Brandi of course, but
I like to skate with Jason Ninneman and Adam Feld! They
have been a huge amount of support for me!
If I could have
one wish though! It would be to have more females to
skate with! Brandi and I have met some females that have
come to our local skate parks but they never seem to
stay with it!
We always take time out to help them and
make them feel comfortable to! Feeling comfortable and
accepted in this sport is very important! You don't want
to go to a skate park where everyone treats you as if
you’re in their way! I think that’s a huge reason why a
lot of girls don't stick with it!
CHECK IT OUT!
Everyone has to start
somewhere! And we should all support and help each
other grow and excel in the sport!
So, all you girls out there, "Remember to support those
who are just beginning!" We need to show them that they
are accepted, supported, and wanted! And Our sport will
grow!
WASN: Does being sponsored mean anything to you? Would it make a difference?
PAM: I do not care about being sponsored or going pro! I
skate because I love it! I will admit that when I first
started and all the hype around me was about being
sponsored, etc. I wanted it! I think just because I'm a
competitive person! But as time passed and I observed the
sponsor and pro scene, I realized why I started and
stayed with the sport! I skate because it’s so much fun and
it's given me the opportunity to meet lots of cool people!
I feel that it's too easy to get caught up in the sponsor
scene! Don't get me wrong, It's nice to be able to
represent a company and get free skates! It's nice to have
someone pay for all the contests to; this sport can be
very expensive! I know that I love to compete, I love
having the opportunity to skate with other female
riders! I just think everyone should remember to be true
to the sport and other skaters! We, as females should
support each other! We don't need titles to be strong! WE
HAVE EACH OTHER!
