News
Chance visit from pro-skater Mike Vallely encourages local skaterboarders
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| Willcox skaters visit with the pro-skater/musician, Mike Vallely, in the Safeway parking lot in late January. From left, Kevin Goodrich, Eric Alstadt, Wade Pense, Vallely, Justin Lane, Noah van Haren, and in front, David Alstadt. Van Haren said Vellely told the skaters he would be back to Willcox next month to skate with them and film for his show, "Drive It," on Fuel TV. (Photo courtesy/Sally van Haren) |
By Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona Range News
Skate mom Sally van Haren happened to look in her rear view mirror on a drive-through visit to KFC recently. What she saw and what she did may help local skateboarders sometime down the line in their quest for a skate park.
Van Haren said she saw a large green van with an Element Skate logo parked in the Safeway parking lot.
"My son Noah was at work at Chevron. I took a quick drive across the street and pointed out the van to him. His eyes lit-up. He was sure that van carried pro-skaters in it," she said.
She made a call to another local skater, Sean Herrera, and got his thoughts on things.
"We thought at least there might be a chance to pick up a few Elements sticker's for some of the skaters. I drove back to the Safeway parking lot, and pulled up to the van as a gentleman was getting in. I mentioned that my son, Noah van Haren, was the young man standing across the street, dying to know if there was a professional skater riding with him in that van.
"He asked if I knew who Mike Vallely was. I told him I didn't know the name, but I'm sure my son would. Larry was the gentleman's name, and he told me Mr. Vallely was in Safeway and would be out soon. I asked for a photo opportunity, and he said that would be fine.
"I dashed across the road to Noah, who had already made a call to fellow skaters Eric Aldstadt and Justin Lane, and I told Noah we could do a photo," she said.
"I told him '...the pro-skater's name is Mike Valle?-something.' Noah's eyes widened, and he said 'VALLELY... Mike Vallely?' I said 'yes', and he jumped to ask if he could have permission to go across the street. Chevron allowed it, and so we went and waited for Mr. Vallely to exit Safeway," van Haren said.
"Mike Vallely is a very nice man. Polite, and happy to meet Noah and take a photo. News travels fast, though," she said.
In minutes Justin Lane and Wade Pense walked up to meet Mr. Vallely. And three more skaters were approaching from the direction of Alco: Eric and David Aldstadt, and Kevin Goodrich.
The skaters were so excited to meet the pro-skater/musician, as he was traveling with his band "Revolution Mother Show" to Dallas, Texas.
"He was kind enough to take time to visit, skate and give our local skaters a few skate tips. I, of course, mentioned our skatepark efforts. Mr. Vallely agreed that 40' x 90' isn't much for a concrete pad. I told him our skater would be happy with anything at this point," she said.
Van Haren asked Vallely for suggestions of grant programs. He asked if we had applied to the Tony Hawk Foundation. She told him they have looked into that program, but there are some specific requirements that Willcox doesn't or information we are not able to provide at this time.
Vallely is a board member for the Tony Hawk Foundation, and he told her that as soon as there is paperwork stating when and where the skatepark is to be built, Willcox should re-apply.
"He asked what the name of our town was, then said 'this place is the exact type of community that the Hawk Foundation looks for to help build skateparks.' This was encouraging for the skaters to hear. I was excited to see a handwritten note lying on the seat of the van that said 'Willcox, Arizona'," she said.
"Maybe one day he will run across our name at one of the Tony Hawk Foundation board meetings, and remember us," van Haren said.
Mike Vallely's web-site is http://www.mikevallely.com/bio/ for more information on his careers as a skateboarder and musician.
Van Haren said she saw a large green van with an Element Skate logo parked in the Safeway parking lot.
"My son Noah was at work at Chevron. I took a quick drive across the street and pointed out the van to him. His eyes lit-up. He was sure that van carried pro-skaters in it," she said.
She made a call to another local skater, Sean Herrera, and got his thoughts on things.
"We thought at least there might be a chance to pick up a few Elements sticker's for some of the skaters. I drove back to the Safeway parking lot, and pulled up to the van as a gentleman was getting in. I mentioned that my son, Noah van Haren, was the young man standing across the street, dying to know if there was a professional skater riding with him in that van.
"He asked if I knew who Mike Vallely was. I told him I didn't know the name, but I'm sure my son would. Larry was the gentleman's name, and he told me Mr. Vallely was in Safeway and would be out soon. I asked for a photo opportunity, and he said that would be fine.
"I dashed across the road to Noah, who had already made a call to fellow skaters Eric Aldstadt and Justin Lane, and I told Noah we could do a photo," she said.
"I told him '...the pro-skater's name is Mike Valle?-something.' Noah's eyes widened, and he said 'VALLELY... Mike Vallely?' I said 'yes', and he jumped to ask if he could have permission to go across the street. Chevron allowed it, and so we went and waited for Mr. Vallely to exit Safeway," van Haren said.
"Mike Vallely is a very nice man. Polite, and happy to meet Noah and take a photo. News travels fast, though," she said.
In minutes Justin Lane and Wade Pense walked up to meet Mr. Vallely. And three more skaters were approaching from the direction of Alco: Eric and David Aldstadt, and Kevin Goodrich.
The skaters were so excited to meet the pro-skater/musician, as he was traveling with his band "Revolution Mother Show" to Dallas, Texas.
"He was kind enough to take time to visit, skate and give our local skaters a few skate tips. I, of course, mentioned our skatepark efforts. Mr. Vallely agreed that 40' x 90' isn't much for a concrete pad. I told him our skater would be happy with anything at this point," she said.
Van Haren asked Vallely for suggestions of grant programs. He asked if we had applied to the Tony Hawk Foundation. She told him they have looked into that program, but there are some specific requirements that Willcox doesn't or information we are not able to provide at this time.
Vallely is a board member for the Tony Hawk Foundation, and he told her that as soon as there is paperwork stating when and where the skatepark is to be built, Willcox should re-apply.
"He asked what the name of our town was, then said 'this place is the exact type of community that the Hawk Foundation looks for to help build skateparks.' This was encouraging for the skaters to hear. I was excited to see a handwritten note lying on the seat of the van that said 'Willcox, Arizona'," she said.
"Maybe one day he will run across our name at one of the Tony Hawk Foundation board meetings, and remember us," van Haren said.
Mike Vallely's web-site is http://www.mikevallely.com/bio/ for more information on his careers as a skateboarder and musician.
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