Tony Hawk *’s apparel company Hawk Clothing * is helping fund a network of Hawk Skate Course Programs across Europe * to help promote skateboarding and increase skatepark * awareness. With over 22 million skateboarders worldwide regularly visiting parks and street locations (according to Transworld Skateboarding * in 2003 *), the Hawk Skate Course Programs seek to help continue skateboarding’s growth.

Hawk Clothing is getting involved following the principles of Tony Hawk Foundation *, which helps fund new skateparks * in the United States *. The Tony Hawk Foundation also helped create the Hawk Skate Course Program.

Apparently in the UK there are actually more skateboards sold than there are skateboarders-- industry estimates place the amount of boards sold at between 500,000 and 1,000,000, but apparently there are only about 200,000 skateboarders there (according to Mintel Extreme Sports.) Some in the skateboard industry feel that skateboarding would more popular with younger UK skateboarders if more skateboarding facilities and training were available.

According to organizers, the idea of the program is to create a launchpad into skateboarding for all ages, by improving skatepark awareness and helping obtain acceptance of skateboarding. Tony Hawk reportedly wants kids to be comfortable in their parks and for parents to know that their children are enjoying themselves in a safe environment. Working with partners such as Activision * and Microsoft *, the program is also seeking to create a ‘Hawk Universe’ at each of the participating parks with a “chill-out area” for kids to play video games.

Reportedly at least 28 parks have currently signed on to the program, and three of these are located in the UK: Epic Skate Park in Birmingham *, Bones Skatepark in Manchester, and Radlands in Northampton.

Organizers report that 57,000 tuitions have been given through the European * Hawk Skate Course program, and that the ‘structured training program’ plans to give another 120,000 in 2004 *.

The program seeks to facilitate the development of intermediate skaters as well as newcomers. To help foster the development of more advanced skaters, a series of ‘Heroes From Zeros’ competitions and events are planned to tour the parks in 2004. Reportedly the circuit already includes “exceptional young skaters such as Raphael Brunis from France *, Danny Cerezini from Brazil * and John White from America.”

For more information or sponsorship opportunities related to Hawk Clothing or the Hawk Skate Schools, please contact: Neil Barrett or James Rodd at Sports Vision: Tel: 020-8789-6655; Mobile: 07788-975031

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