By Silas Hood, Mar. 22, 2022
The newly-established Cal Poly Pomona Skate Club is now providing a space for anyone with a passion or interest in skating. The group operates as an unofficial club based around a common interest of the sport where students coordinate meetups, discuss related content and create new friends within the sport.
The club was created by students Kai Flynn Leeper-Sale, a visual communications design major, and biology major Ryan Paja in August 2021.
“As long as you skate or want to skate, just come on over,” said Leeper-Sale. “It’s not just skateboards. If you want to roller skate with us all for it, no discrimination. Whatever you ride, you can come.”
Leeper-Sale also shared the club’s intent to move into an official status in the future. In order to start a club at CPP, it is required to have a faculty advisor to serve as the club advisor, which they do not have yet. Leeper-Sale explained they have been in communication with Chair of the Department of Art, Anthony Acock, to be their adviser. While club sessions are already underway, Leeper-Sale explained that this aspect is still being worked out.
“I would like to get together a meeting with everyone … kind of iron out what people want, what they want it to be, not just what I want it to be,” said Leeper-Sale.
The club currently has 39 members and traditionally meets on campus but often extends to local skate parks. In early December, the club held its first big trip to Downtown L.A., hopping between skateparks within the city. They plan to hold similar events in the future.
“Nothing is mandatory; it’s kind of just come at your own pace but there’s always people going out to skate, which is the important thing,” said Leeper-Sale. “I think there is definitely a big skate community down at Cal Poly Pomona, and I think it’s a good excuse to get people out to skate and meetup.”
While the first step to becoming part of the club is to join the points of communication, Paja explained the importance of going for it.
“Becoming part of the club, it’s more about participation, so if you want to be in the club and go out with us, you just have to go,” said Paja.
Paja also shared what the first session was like and what he feels the club has to offer.
“Although a lot of us didn’t know each other, we were able to blend in through this hobby of skateboarding,” said Paja. “It was so easy for us to just talk, hangout, skate or do whatever and just get to know each other. We’re more like a big friend group or even a family.”
Aaron Pangilinan, a finance, real estate and law major, shared his experience being part of the club since its creation.
“It’s been always positive; it’s just really fun being able to skate with other people,” said Pangilinan. “It just makes it a better experience overall. Come to a couple meets and feel it out; it’s all skill levels. People will be there to teach you, and it’s a good way to meet more people.”
Discord and Instagram are the two platforms utilized by the club where members can find out where and when sessions will occur. Students interested can direct message the club’s Instagram account, @cppskateclub, reach out to Paja, @pajamawheels, or Leeper-Sale, @kaismotorola, with questions and for an invite to the Discord server.
“We love to get new people into skating,” said Leeper-Sale. “I don’t think there’s a lot of big egos in it which I think is nice. Everyone is welcoming, and I think it’s a good example of breaking down that stereotype of skaters being scary. Everyone is just having fun, doing their own thing and at their own level.”
Featured image courtesy of Kai Flynn Leeper-Sale.