BTN News: Santa Cruz’s sports programs continue to innovate under the leadership of Councilwoman Alicia Cebrián. After last year’s successful introduction of surf lessons at Almáciga Beach, Cebrián has now launched a skateboarding camp in La Granja Park. This new initiative, which runs from July 1 to August 2, allows children aged six to seventeen to learn skateboarding skills in a safe and structured environment. The camp’s objective is to provide kids with the foundational skills needed to skateboard confidently and safely, reflecting Cebrián’s commitment to diversifying the city’s sports offerings.
From the start of July, about forty children have enrolled in the skateboarding camp, which is being held in the designated skateboarding area of La Granja Park. To ensure personalized and high-quality training, the camp organizers, Las Lagunetas—a company responsible for this initiative after winning the sports department’s contract—have arranged specific shifts and schedules. The one-week course teaches the basics of skateboarding, requiring participants to attend from Monday to Friday, bringing their skateboard and protective gear, while the instructors take care of the rest.
The camp is structured to train ten children per week, divided into two age groups: six to thirteen years and thirteen to seventeen years. Over four weeks, forty young participants will have honed their skateboarding skills. The cost of the course is a maximum of eleven euros, with potential discounts available for large families and other qualifying conditions.
Councilwoman Alicia Cebrián notes that the camp attracts participants from all over Santa Cruz, although many come from the Salud-La Salle district due to the location of the training site. During visits to the park, the enthusiasm of the young skateboarders is evident, with many expressing a desire for more such courses throughout the year. This response underscores the success of Cebrián’s initiative, which aims to introduce and promote 21st-century sports in Santa Cruz.
The popularity of skateboarding has surged since its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, marking a significant increase in both enthusiasts and regular practitioners. In Santa Cruz, two main skateboarding spots have emerged: La Granja Park and Avenida de Anaga. Alicia Cebrián, now seasoned in her political role, hints at plans for new facilities for sliding sports in Los Gladiolos, though she remains cautious about announcing dates until administrative processes are complete.
In addition to the skateboarding camp, other summer sports programs are also in high demand. The Las Teresitas multi-sports camp, which utilizes year-round facilities at the beach, is particularly popular. Meanwhile, classic summer activities like swimming courses at the Acidalio Lorenzo pool continue to attract large numbers, with around two thousand children expected to participate this summer, along with five hundred in the multi-sport camp.
Fernando Guerra, one of the skateboarding camp instructors, brings a wealth of personal experience. Having learned to skateboard on his own in the initial modules on La Noria Street and later expanding his skills at Avenida de Anaga, Fernando found a new passion that has now become his profession. At 24, Fernando reflects on the inclusive and supportive nature of skateboarding, a sport free from the competitive rivalries typical of others. He emphasizes that improvement in skateboarding depends solely on personal effort and the desire to excel. His journey from a football player to a skateboarding instructor illustrates the transformative impact of sports, fostering a supportive community where everyone encourages each other to improve.
Santa Cruz’s summer sports camps, led by Alicia Cebrián, not only provide children with valuable skills but also promote an active lifestyle and community engagement. These initiatives highlight the city’s commitment to offering diverse and modern sports opportunities, ensuring that young residents can explore and enjoy new activities in a safe and supportive environment.
