Showcase 2007/2008
Mark Heneghan
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Derek Coffey
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David Blair
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Cliff John
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Gerard O'Reilly
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Mark O'Gorman
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Tomas Grinius
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James White
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Sean Mooney
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I first became interested in skateboarding eleven years when I was living in
Lithuania. Everyone in my town was doing it and I started getting into it. I could
not stop. It was like an addiction. I was in primary school at the time and, after
school, I would go on the streets with my skateboard which you can get in
any sports shop. I would look for different obstacles to jump over and spend hours
every week skating. You could not do it in the rain; otherwise the weather does not
matter.I came to Ireland five years ago. To my surprise I found that not too many people were
doing it. However, I was still keen on skating so I persuaded my friends to join me
in my favourite sport. I bought my first Irish skateboard in a skate shop in O'Connell
Street called G-1 which is the best skate shop in Ireland. It was a standard
skateboard but I soon found this sport to be expensive because you have to buy all
the parts separately. Also, the boards are not long lasting and you have to replace
them frequently.It was harder to find places to skate in Ireland than in Lithuania. This is because there
is more security and it is more strict in Dublin than it was in my home town. But the
skate parks in Dublin, which are set up and run by the Dublin City Council, are very
good because they are modern and provide with a wide variety of terrain's such as
pools and ramps. I often skate around Clondalkin and I always look for new places
to skate.People who saw me skate became interested in what I was doing and wanted to
try it themselves. I could name quite a few people in Moyle Park who share my
passion for skating, but I don't want to embarrass them. We often met up after
school to skate around the area. On weekends, we go into the city centre and
skate there because there are more places.Sometimes you get hurt. I have broken an arm, a leg and damaged two fingers.
I once split my head open when I misjudged a trick and fell and hit my head. But
that has not stopped me pursuing my dream sport. You need to both patient
and brave. There is no need to be afraid. Accidents will happen but if you
are enjoying yourself, you won't mind.Sometimes I have had minor problems with the law. Gardai have often asked
me to leave public places in town where skating is forbidden. Like the Temple
Bar area. But we respect that and respect their right to ask us to move on.
I hope to continue skating when I leave school. There is always something
new to do and something new to learn. And I haven't finished yet.
Click here to view images of me skatebording at the Jervis Centre.
Click here to view images of me skatebording in the Temple Bar area at night.
