WELCOME TO THE CLUB: Impact Skate Club

In a city where skateboarding is as much about culture as it is about sport, Impact Skate Club has carved out a space that blends community, creativity, and care. Founded with the vision of harnessing the lessons of skateboarding—resilience, confidence, and self-expression—to empower young people, Impact has become a cornerstone of Toronto’s skate scene.

Through accessible programs, mentorship, and a commitment to inclusivity, the club has not only helped kids learn to push or drop-in, but has also provided them with the tools to grow, belong, and thrive as good humans in our world. In this inaugural WELCOME TO THE CLUB interview, we explore how Impact began, the values that continue to guide its work, and the powerful role it plays in shaping the next generation of skaters.

Impact Skate Club has become a meaningful part of the Toronto skateboarding community. Can you tell us how it all started, and what the mission was in those early days?

Impact started with a desire to use what we learn in skateboarding to support and empower young people. Beyond fostering confidence and resilience, skateboarding offers a way to focus our efforts on self-prescribed goals—short and long-term—and the opportunity to develop a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. 

We set out to provide a safe learning environment for all kids and mitigate the potential barriers to participation. In the early days we did this by partnering with other youth non-profits to facilitate free workshops and programs for young people across Toronto, as well as our own activities that integrate core social-emotional learning into skateboard programming. To serve as diverse a group as possible, we supplied equipment to those without any, leveraged our connections with other organizations to engage diverse populations, and offered subsidies to those in need, which we continue to do today.

Skateboarding can be such a powerful tool for building confidence, community, and creativity. What do you think makes skate clubs like Impact so important—especially for youth and underrepresented groups?

I often remark that the skateboarding is incidental. We want to create an environment where young people can be their authentic selves, and this is simply our pathway to do that. So much can be learned from the gruelling process of learning proficiency on a skateboard, but I think what’s even more meaningful is that kids can come in and be a part of something without having to “prove themselves” or otherwise earn it.

Skateboarding is for everybody, and so are we. Kids have so many challenges around belonging and identity, so we believe that everyone who attends our events should feel safe, valued, and accepted for who they are. We aim to support their development in skateboarding as well as in everyday life—especially for those who might not have robust support systems around them. All kids are worthy of love and understanding, and they deserve safe places and safe people to help them grow into healthy adults.

Toronto’s skate scene is known for its diversity and energy. How do you see Impact contributing to that landscape? What kind of impact (no pun intended!) do you think the club has had so far?

Impact has been around for long enough now that it’s fairly well known among young skaters in Toronto, but we are also advocates of the skate community at large, for people of all ages. 

We have long championed quality resources for skaters, whether it be through our lesson programs, material support to individual skaters, sponsoring contests and community events, advocacy/outreach for addiction recovery, or contributing to the creation of skate spaces for kids and adults alike.

I hope we’ve contributed by showing that we, as skaters and members of the community, welcome all people to share in this thing that brings us so much joy, while offering our own individual strengths and assets to connect and build together.

What role do volunteers play in keeping the club running? Are there any moments or people that stand out in terms of the support you've received from the community?

There have been so many volunteers who have enriched our organization over the years. Many older youth are keen to serve as instructors, leaders, and mentors, as well as adult skaters and parents who contribute their time and professional skills to bolster Impact and the younger generations of skaters coming up. 

There are also those individuals who take it upon themselves to donate skateboards, shoes, and other equipment which can then be given to kids who might not otherwise have their own. All of these offerings allow us to reach so much further than we could through our own resources.

Most touching to me is when former participants return to programs to share their love of skating and connect with kids in a way that is beneficial all around. The younger kids are so encouraged by these youth who are not only incredible skateboarders, but kind and accepting peers who want to see them succeed. And the youth have an opportunity to see how valuable their words and actions can be to others, and how even small gestures can produce such impactful outcomes for these kids.

What have been some of the most rewarding moments so far? And what challenges have you had to overcome to keep things moving forward?

The entire experience of running Impact has been so rewarding, but I’m always so thankful when parents and families share that skateboarding, and Impact in particular, has helped kids who are struggling in different ways: mentally, emotionally, with bullying, with illness, with anxiety, depression, grief, with a lack of confidence and self-esteem… the list goes on.

When I hear the gratitude of these folks for something that has given me so much, I’m deeply moved. So many people, young and old, carry so much pain. If what we do at Impact can alleviate some, and possibly even help to heal some, that is an absolute privilege and a blessing.

There have always been challenges and setbacks but the community of kids, families, skaters, and supporters of all ages around us has carried us through each one, making us stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

Looking ahead, what are some goals or dreams you have for Impact Skate Club? How do you envision its future role in shaping the next generation of skaters in Toronto?

From day one we have dreamed of creating a physical space that is a hub for young people, where kids can skate, learn, socialize, and explore their creativity in different ways. Art, music, fitness, and health resources would all have a home in this space, as well as learning resources and professional support for some of the challenges that young people face. 

As the perception of skateboarding shifts and evolves, we hope that an emphasis is placed on skaters as whole human beings who deserve to give and receive care from their community, and the community at large. We envision a future where skateboarding brings people together, but a spirit of kindness and unity help all of us to continually become the best versions of

ourselves.

As Impact Skate Club looks toward the future, its vision reaches far beyond skateparks and tricks—it’s about building a lasting home where young people can find belonging, support, and inspiration. What began as a grassroots effort to remove barriers to skateboarding has grown into a movement that champions inclusion, resilience, and joy. In celebrating the victories of its participants, nurturing future leaders, and continuing to advocate for accessible spaces, Impact embodies the true spirit of skateboarding. Their story is still being written, but their influence on Toronto’s youth—and on Canadian skateboarding culture at large—is already profound. Thank you, Impact!