Locals young and old will have the chance to fine-tune their skating skills when Skate-aid Australia holds free skating workshops in Port Douglas and Mossman this weekend.

Following successful sessions at the Mossman and Wonga Beach Skateparks last weekend Stake-aid Australia will be back this Saturday 22 August at the Port Douglas Skate Park between 9:00am and 11:00am and the Mossman Skate park between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

Skate-aid Australia is a not for profit community organisation, based on the Sunshine Coast, that aims to help young people “drop-in” rather than “drop-out” by building pathways to independence and inclusion through education and community development.

The team from Skate-aid Australia are currently touring Queensland bringing their expert skating know how to regional towns, encouraging kids to get out and get active.

Skate Instructor, Dave Fisher, said the free lessons are open to everyone of any skill level.

“If you can walk, we can teach you to skate,” he said.

“The oldest person I have taught was 65 and completely inexperienced.”

Mr Fisher said the lessons are a part of a mentoring program to encourage and equip kids to get out and get engaged in their local skate park.

“It’s not just about teaching skate skills but also life skills, teaching things like resilience and giving them confidence in themselves, so when you get knocked down you can get back up again.

“Our motto is ‘try one more time’, so if you don’t get something, try again. It’s about never giving up.

“Just come down and have some fun,” Mr Fisher said.

Helmets and skateboarded can be borrowed for those who don’t have them. Skate-aid Australia highly encourages everyone to wear their own protective pads. Scooter riders are also welcome.

This is a COVID safe event so social distancing restrictions apply. All participants must register online and sign-in on the day.

To register and find out more information for the Port Douglas session click here or the Mossman session here.