Sask. skateboarding group that helps marginalized youth gets boost from local family
Bryson Sheldon hops on his skateboard and heads down a concrete ramp at Saskatoon's Lion's Skatepark, gaining speed and popping back up on the far side.
Sweat is flying off him as he skates lap after lap in the mid-morning sunshine, but the 18-year-old doesn't seem to mind. He says skateboarding makes him feel free and a part of a community.
"I just feel at peace. I just feel there's nothing else to worry about when I'm out here," he said.
"Skating is a form of expression.… I used to be scared to hop into anything, but now I feel I can try anything."
Bryson Sheldon has been skateboarding since the Saskatoon group Right to Skate supplied him with a board, shoes and other support. He says skateboarding gives him a sense of peace. (Don Somers/CBC)
Sheldon said it's all thanks to the local group Right to Skate.
The non-profit supplies equipment, lessons and other support to marginalized or low-income youth. Sheldon was told about the group a year ago by a mentor at the group home where Sheldon lived. He filled out an application on the Right to Skate website and has been involved with the group ever since.
The group supplied him with a skateboard and shoes, and then a second set later. Sheldon, in turn, is one of the group's biggest promoters.
"It honestly means the world to me to be blessed with this equipment, but also having the members of my community supporting me, having my back no matter what," Sheldon said.
Sheldon and others from Right to Skate will be back at the skatepark Saturday. They're hosting a celebration with free pizza, a painting wall and skateboarding activities.
The party is open to anyone who wants to support the local skateboarding community — or maybe give it a try.
They're celebrating because Right to Skate recently received its largest ever donation. The family of late graffiti artist and skateboarder Eli Kerslake gave the program a boost of more than $16,000.
Right to Skate is renaming its scholarship program the Eli Kerslake Memorial Fund.
"Number 1, skateboarding is fun. It was so prevalent in our household. It was his passion," said Eli's mother, Lynn Bjorndalen. "When Elijah passed away, a lot of the money people donated, we put into a memorial fund, and we knew right away it would have to go to skateboarding, Right to Skate is doing a lot of good things."
Lynn Bjorndalen and her family donated more than $16,000 to the Saskatoon non-profit group Right to Skate on behalf of her son, the late graffitti artist and skateboarder Eli Kerslake. She hopes it will help other marginalized youth enjoy the sport. (Jason Warick/CBC)
Right to Skate directing manager Sarah Kelley said she was overwhelmed by the donation and that it will help a lot of kids.
"It really means so much. I knew Elijah. He was an important member of the community. It's very special to me to be able to put his name on something," Kelley said.
Sheldon does a few more laps and tricks, then chats with Kelly. He said he's going to do a bit more skating, then he's off to donate blood. He isn't sure where he got the idea, but it seemed like a good thing to do.
The celebration starts Saturday at 4 p.m. CST at Lions Skate Park.
Bryson Sheldon and Sarah Kelly chat at the Lions Skatepark in Saskatoon. They'll both be attending a celebration hosted by local group Right to Skate there Saturday. (Don Somers/CBC)
