08/21/2025
My life-long friend, Christian, is a teacher at Polaris. He has pushed for and implemented Skateboard Intensives for his students. For two weeks they just skate at school all day. They learn about skating, watch videos, and dive into the whole world of it all. Today I went and skated with them, talked to the students, and brought them some product (because getting free stuff is the best). Rad kids, rad teacher, and rad school for having this type of program.
I met Christian around 1990/91 when there were only a handful of skaters in Eagle River. We spent years of our life on the curb behind the movie theatre and on weekend bus trips to skate Anchorage. It’s a testament to skateboarding’s effects, and his great heart, that he continues to open the door to skateboarding for students. I was lucky to have a shop teacher, Don Bernard, who would let me build boxes in his class and skate in the woodshop during lunch. It just takes one or two people to give you a shot, to take a chance on letting you follow your path to change a life. Thank you Christian, Mr Bernard, and all the other teachers that know school is about helping kids find themselves and their path. And thank you for letting me be a part of your group 🤙🏻
