On Saturday 28th September there's to be a full day and night Coping event for the skateboarding community at the Graystone Action Sports Academy, which is designed to remove the stigma around wellbeing in extreme sports...
Between 10am and 2pm there's open skate sessions (to be booked via the Graystone website) and free Wellbeing Sessions (with charity donation).
From 2pm to 7pm there's a skate competition for under 16s, and an adult competition with £1,000 cash prize soundtracked by skater DJ collective Ultimate Choice, plus creative workshops, talks on mental health and film screenings.
At 7pm there's a Charity Auction and then, from 8pm to late, there's System Session with Mr Scruff, Mungo's HiFi and the Dub Smugglers sound system complete with a skate beginners section and mini-ramp until 11pm.
The event comes after a string of recent tragedies "highlighting the culture of silence which still blights skateboarding and other adrenaline-fuelled pursuits" states the publicity "Mental health sufferers will be invited to share their stories and experienced professionals will hold wellbeing sessions for those present."
Meanwhile, event organiser, Wil Hesketh, says: "A friend recently showed me the film Mind the Gap, about skater Paul Alexander's battle with paranoia, as I was preparing to teach yoga and meditation to skateboarders for the first time.
"I was captivated by the film and loved how it made a step towards normalising discussions about mental health problems in a sport which is not always renowned for its sensitivity" he adds "Inspired by the film and pleasantly surprised not to be laughed out of town for trying to persuade skaters to practice yoga, the seeds of this event started to form."
Mr Scruff adds: "I can't even stand up on a skateboard, but my daughter skated for a while and I was inspired by the community spirit that happens when a wide range of people bond over a common interest. Events like these can help to nurture the compassionate side of the sport. Wil has stood up for something that he holds very dear, and has my full support."
Coping
Saturday 28th September 10am-1am
Graystone Action Sports Academy
47 Brunel Avenue, M5 4BE
Tickets Skating £10/Day Spectator £5/ Night £10 Full Day Ticket (inc skate) £15 click here to book
All profits to be split between 42nd Street mental health Charity and The Christie, and the organisers, Future Savings, will not be taking any payment.
For more details also see the event Facebook page click here
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