How far would you go to enjoy something you love to do? We travel to mountains, festivals and campsites, so why not to a skate park?
Last weekend, this is exactly what we did. Why? Because Tic Tac Skate School is more than just a skate school – it really does change lives too.
Last year, Lily fell in love with skateboarding and that was thanks to Tom at Tic Tac Skate School, Camp Bestival.
There are many reasons we are huge fans of Tic Tac Skate School, so thought we would share a few of those.
1. It isn’t about being the best
As a preemie child, she is still smaller than a lot of her peers and sometimes lacks confidence in her abilities.
One of the many things we love about Tic Tac Skate School is that she has not only found something she’s passionate about, but also can learn at her own pace without any pressure to ‘be the best’.
2. Tic Tac Builds Confidence
Tic Tac is about building your own confidence. I’ve always lacked confidence in everything I do, and I can already see the signs in Lily at times.
She has been knocked back a few times in other activities she does, and that really has knocked her confidence too, so the fact that I see her confidence go up every time she sees Tic Tac, really does make every journey worthwhile.
3. Tic Tac helps you believe in yourself
If Lily needs to approach something she is nervous about or thinks she won’t be able to do something, she has started telling me that she believes she can do it, like Tom tells her.
Tic Tac Skate School so so much more than just skateboarding in a skate park, it is conquering your fears and finding ways of approaching challenges in real life and believing you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
4. Tic Tac celebrates success of everyone
No matter whether it’s your first time on a skateboard, or you’re a seasoned pro, Tic Tac skate school is about celebrating everyone’s achievements.
It doesn’t matter if you fall or stomp the trick, it’s about celebrating trying and the fact that everyone is on their own journey at their own pace.
Just giving something new a go in every single lesson in turn can help build that confidence and help you believe in yourself too.
The glow on everyone’s faces when everyone claps or gives them a high-five, it is just lovely. Even down to sliding down the vert ramp at Skaterham on your bum at the start of the lesson – it’s a big achievement to conquer that fear and the celebrations are so lovely.
If someone struggles to do that, Tom tries to do it with them, and doesn’t pressure anyone who doesn’t want to do something too.
5. Tic Tac is about having fun
Skateboarding is about having fun, Tic Tac Skate School is about having fun. Tom makes sure everyone has a smile on their face in every lesson. He reminds everyone that they’re there to enjoy themselves and them being on their skateboard is making them happy.
Lily spends hours skating up and down our living room every day, because it makes her happy. She doesn’t necessarily do anything except skate up and down her lovely little ramp (amazingly won in the Tic Tac Skate School Christmas raffle!), but simply skating up and down it makes her happy.
This is why we are happy to travel to lessons with Tic Tac Skate School – it makes her happy.
If you follow Tic Tac Skate School on social media, you’ll also see Tom sharing some fantastic motivational posts about supporting your mental health through skateboarding. It really strikes a chord with me and I know it does with many others too.
More about Tic Tac Skate School at Skaterham
Tic Tac Skate School runs lessons at Skaterham Skate Park, Caterham, throughout the week for kids right through to adults in their silver surfers classes, from beginners through to advanced skaters.
Through school holidays, you can often join in holiday clubs too.
Skaterham is a fantastic purpose-built skate park in a converted church, with features for all levels, including a massive vert ramp. It is indoors, so can operate all year round, whatever the weather. As a parent, the affordable tea/coffee is also very much appreciated!
Not local to Skaterham?
You can still access Tic Tac Skate School around the country. They’re regularly setting up lessons at other skate parks, and daytrips to other skate parks too.
In summer 2023, you can find Tic Tac Skate School at Elderflower Fields festival, Camp Bestival Dorset, Camp Bestival Shropshire, Black Deer Festival and Into the Trees festival.
You can also rent out the mobile ramp and even book Tic Tac Skate School for birthday parties.
Conclusion
If you have the opportunity to join Tic Tac Skate School at Skaterham, we can’t recommend it enough.
The lessons are motivational, fun and have genuinely made such a difference to Lily’s life, as well as so many other lives too. To Tom, thank you – we can’t wait to join you again this summer!
Find out more here
The 3am Diary 