All Doug Stone had to do was ask.
Stone, a longtime supporter of giving children in Lewiston and Auburn something to do, was wearing his Boys Scouts of America hat when he watched a skateboard demonstration in Freeport called Get on Board.
Stone is an Abnaki District committee member with Boys Scouts of America and was at an outdoor event with his son’s Troop 187.
Stone switched to his Lewiston-Auburn Optimist Club hat and asked Beau Lambert if he would bring his learn-to-skate program to Lewiston-Auburn.
Sure, said Lambert, who helps teach 1,500 children each year how to safely ride a skateboard.
Tuesday’s free program at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston will be the farthest that Lambert has traveled from base camp at Rye Airfield in Rye, N.H., to teach children how to skate.
“We are coming up with everything you need . . . boards, helmets and pads,” said Lambert, who runs the program for Rye Airfield, a nonprofit indoor skate park built on an old airport landing strip.
Lambert plans to have the hands-on instruction in the Colisee parking lot starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday. A demonstration from veteran skaters will follow before National Night Out activities begin at 5:30 p.m. in Marcotte Park across the street.
“Lewiston-Auburn has a bunch of talented skateboarders, so I am trying to see who I can get on board,” Lambert said about locals who may skate during the demonstration.
Stone said the event is about “breaking down barriers.” Lambert told Stone that children who don’t gravitate toward mainstream sports have made great friendships in the skate parks. “Kids that have never met each other find they have a lot in common,” he said.
Stone said he may even throw on his skateboard hat Tuesday. “I might get on the board and goof off a bit,” said 51-year-old member of the Lewiston-Auburn Optimist Club.
The club will provide the funds for the first 20 children to Get on Board. A private donor has stepped up to pay for the rest, Stone said.
“We will be up there ready to rock,” Lambert said. “It should be a great day,” said Stone.
What: Free skateboard demonstration and Get on Board lessons. All equipment will be provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
Who: Hosted by the Lewiston-Auburn Optimist Club, Lewiston PAL and Rye Airfield.
Where: Androscoggin Bank Colisee parking lot, 190 Birch St., Lewiston.
When: 4 – 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4
Also: A Backwoods Snow and Skate “Pool Party” will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Lewiston Skate Park, Kennedy Park, Pine and Park streets.
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