Ryan Chin saw a video of a father and son at a skate park, and it made him consider how he wants to spend skate time with his own kids.
Recently, a video of a father kicking his son off the edge of a half pipe went viral. The 6 year old was hesitating to drop in so the father gave him the boot.
My gut reaction like most people who watched the video was to curse the Dad. As I’ve thought about it though, that reaction has subsided. He, like most fathers, just wants his son to rip. He was there with his son. He took the time to bring his boy to the skate park. He was giving his son the gift of time. Unfortunately, he took it too far maybe letting his own failures fuel that now infamous kick. I’ve had plenty of moments with my two sons where I let my own frustrations and demons lead to actions that I’m not proud of.
I’m glad I wasn’t at the skate park to witness the act because I probably would have reacted—the same way he did at his son’s hesitancy to drop in. Now that I’ve had time to think about it, I have just four words for the man.
Keep it fun bro’!
* * *
Recently, my boys and I dropped in on their first ramp, a six-inch wedge ramp.
“Team drop in!” I yelled as we climb all the way to the top.
I hung my skateboard over the edge and my two boys, ages 2 and 4, hung their scooters. We made the drop together. They ripped down the sidewalk hooting and hollering. I smiled not just at the moment, but at the future.
Maybe one day they will climb a mega-ramp, drop in, and catch twenty feet of air. Maybe one day I’ll watch them medal in the X-Games, fly amidst the roar of a crowd. I wonder where I’ll be traveling to watch them compete in the 2028 or 2030 Olympics? Having fun is the first step towards those grand visions. I know if they are to ever reach those levels that they will have to deal with the pressures and the fear of slamming and failing. All elite athletes deal with falls and failures. If they ever get to that point, I’ll be ready to guide them through it.
What do you think? How do we give our children the kick in the ass that they need to reach their potential without going too far?
Photo courtesy of author
