In credit, toward a skateboarding lesson, that is. All A’s will get you a free skateboarding lesson!
We at skate school, recognize the hard work it takes to get good grades, which is why we believe in rewarding kids for their effort.For that reason we are offering to take $10 off our regular lesson price for every A or A- earned on your report card. It’s crazy right??
Applies only to New York City. Lessons take place in several locations in Manhattan.
Skate date
Get things rolling with the aid of Uptown Skate School(646.462.3929, uptownskateschool.com; two people $100, if you mention TONY $65), whose instructors will come to the location of your choice for a one-hour, semiprivate skate- or longboard lesson. At Hudson River Park’s Skate Park(30th St at the Hudson River, hudsonriverpark.org; daily 11am–7pm), you can practice what you’ve learned on the bowl, street course and mini half-pipe for free—you just need to sign your life away in a waiver. (How romantic!) Afterward, take some of the edge off with $2 cans of Schlitz and PBR at badass dive Blue Ruin(538 Ninth Ave between 39th and 40th Sts, no phone), where shots like the Cherry Bomb are served aflame.
Rock climbing and relaxing
Relationships are filled with ups and downs, so get yours started on the right foot scaling the 30-foot indoor rock-climbing wall at The Rock Health & Fitness Club(22-15 31st St at Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, Queens; 718-204-1400, therockhealthandfitness.com; day pass $20 per person, includes equipment). And if things don’t work out, well, that’s what the helmet is for. After you’ve reached the summit and back, stroll on terra firma to Himalaya Teahouse(33-17 31st Ave at 33rd St, Astoria, Queens; 718-777-7450, himalayateahouse.com), which has less to do with Mount Everest than with Zen. Order a large pot of organic rooibos tea ($5.95) and Tibetan steamed momo dumplings ($8.95) to share with your little dumpling while you chill.
On the water
If you’re looking to impress your date with something new and unexpected, perhaps an activity on the water with skyline views, then we’ve got two words for you: kayak polo. With a small boat as your trusty steed, join members of New York Kayak Polo(Pier 66, 26th St at the Hudson River; nykayakpolo.org) for an intro session on the last Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. Games that day are open to anyone—and boats, paddles, life vests and helmets are provided at no cost (first-timers just need to pay a $5 insurance fee). Stick with the boat-in-the-water theme and head to Pier 66 Maritime(Pier 66, West Side Hwy at 26th St; 212-989-6363, pier66maritime.com), a former railroad barge–turned-bar, for white sangria ($8) or a Blue Moon ($6) on the roof deck. Since the most exotic marine life you’ll see floating in the Hudson is cigarette butts, get your fill of the real deal at Bongo(299 Tenth Ave between 27th and 28th; 212-947-3654, ongonyc.com) and suck down a half-dozen oysters ($18) from its extensive selection.
Ever wondered what to do in Yorkville this spring with two energetic kids? Well, stop scratching your head. Being my self the proud mom of two adorable (but never tired kids), I have it covered.
Since spring is back, Carl Schultz Park offers some skateboarding classes every Sunday at noon on their basketball court or in the shady alleys of Central Park (entrance at 76th and 5th). No need to show up with an all-geared-up-kid; they’ll provide the boards as well as the knee, elbow and wrist protection. You will just need to bring a helmet. And believe me, they’ll need all these. If there’s just one garbage can in a half mile radius, your kids will crash into it.
The classes are super fun and laid back, taught by Jennifer and David, two pros who will really get your children hooked up from class one. From belly board races to balancing boards, your kids will be able to skate in less than five lessons and master that cool street dude attitude. You’ll need to call ahead. Jennifer Willis, the owner of the uptown skate school, takes reservations so she’ll make sure there’s a three kid per instructor ratio.
But don’t try to get on one of these things yourself; I almost broke my wrist while trying to impress my kids, ending up embarrassing them and getting that “what on earth were you thinking???” look from my husband.
Uptown Skate School co-founder Jennifer Willis works with some young clients at Carl Schurz Park on Upper East Side.
Alessandro Procaccino slowly rolled across the hockey rink at Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side, eyes fixed on his skateboard as he lined up his shoes with a chalk outline.
Jennifer Willis walked slowly behind the 6-year-old, offering advice on balance and foot placement — at $65 an hour.
Owner of a graphic design company, jlwDesign, Willis, 32, and her younger brother David, 20, started Uptown Skate School out of their apartment on E. 76th St., last year after hearing parents asking for lessons at a nearby skate shop.
"Our industry is getting kids on skateboards," Jennifer said.
Thank you to Tatsuma Kasama, from NY Japion for coming out with reader Ryo, 27, who says "I was skateboading for a couple of years when I was a little kid, and I started snowboarding about 8 years ago," to a skateboarding lesson.
Here is the Translation:
Let’s take a lesson!
Asked about his stance, Ryo quickly replies "I’m regular." Yes, he enjoys snowboarding, so should know it. Is he going to apply his snowboarding skills to skateboarding?
First, he practiced to get on the board released from his right hand following "one, two, three," like throwing a bowling ball. The movement of the instructor Jennifer looks very smooth, but Ryo seems to be thinking "Should I step right foot first? Or left foot first?" Though his movement still looks a bit awkward, the next lesson "Push" follows. In both "Push" and "Stop", he needs to lower his body as he pushes the ground and brake with his one foot. His body might be a little too high. Then Jennifer advises "Like sit on an invisible chair!" Following her advice and 15-minute practice, Ryo seems to feel more comfortable than earlier.
Then he practices "Kickturn," which the skater floats the nose for a moment to move right and left, and "Tail stop", which the skater brakes by using the rear part of the board. So far, so good. Then other instructor David suggests, "Let’s try ‘Manual!’" "Manual" is like wheelie. "It usually takes years to master this. Don’t worry," says Jennifer to Ryo, who shouts "Balancing on this is so difficult!"
"I wanna learn other flashy trick," Ryo says, and tries "Ollie."
This technique can be applied to so many different tricks. Indeed, it’s no surprise that Ryo can’t make it in one-hour lesson, but he became better as the instructors say, "Almost!," "Yes, like that!"
After the lesson…
"Oh, I fell down couple of times," says Ryo. "Everyone, even pros, falls down when practicing, then they become better skaters," Jennifer says. By the way, did he successfully apply his snowboarding skills to skateboarding? "I was kind of surprised to know they are totally different. I couldn’t apply snowboarding skills, but I got great instructions today. I’m gonna skateboard-debut on streets!" He headed for a skateshop to debut on the street after the lesson.
Uptown Skate School (info)
Four instructors started last year. $65 for one hour private lesson (add $35 for an additional student). $120 for two lessons, $225 for four lessons. Lessons are usually in Central Park, but other places are also OK.
TEL: 646-852-6367 www.uptownskateschool.com
Uptown Skate School co-founder Jennifer Willis works with some young clients at Carl Schurz Park on Upper East Side.