Adaptive Action Sports hosts adaptive skateboard clinic and competition at ESPN Summer X Games

July 31, 2011, will be a big day at the ESPN Summer X Games for skateboarders with physical disabilities. The nonprofit is using skateboarding to help youth, young adults and veterans with physical disabilities “Live Beyond Limits.” Morning events, titled the “Shoe City Invitational/AAS Adaptive Skate X Experience,” will be open to permanently disabled youth and veterans.

In the morning starting at 9 am, Adaptive Action Sports (AAS) – with support from Shoe City -- will host a learn-to-ride skateboard clinic. There is no cost to participate and prior skate experience is not necessary to register. Passes to attend X Fest at X Games will be awarded to clinic participants who will also have the opportunity to meet several pro athletes.

Oscar Loreto, champion adaptive skateboarder and coordinator of the new LA Skateboard Sector for AAS, will direct the clinic’s coaching program. Basic level skills will be offered for first-time skaters and practiced riders will receive assistance in improving their current techniques.

Additional AAS staff and athletes, including below-the-knee amputee and skateboard champion Evan Strong, will be available to help assure that clinic participants receive individual attention and support.

In the afternoon, six to eight experienced adaptive riders will compete in the skateboard competition which will be begin at 10:30 am. Pro- Skateboarders and Element Skateboards team riders Levi Brown and Chad Tim Tim will help to judge the afternoon event. A $2,500 purse will be offered, divided between each attending rider.

The Shoe City AAS competition will be the third in a summer adaptive skateboard series sponsored by Shoe City in 2011. The preceding competitions were held on June 25 by the organization Life Rolls On at the Venice Skate Park in Venice Beach, CA, and by Extremity Games on June 24-25 at Texas Ski Ranch, San Antonio, TX.

“It’s a great thrill to help such a deserving community” said Leedy Ying, Shoe City President, adding “I am looking forward to a great event and to future adaptive skateboarding events with Adaptive Action Sports.”

Both the clinic and competition will be held in downtown Los Angeles at the X Fest Interactive Skatepark.

“We are excited to expand our adaptive skateboard opportunities at the X Games and to have Shoe City support our mission,” says AAS Co-Founder and Development Director Amy Purdy. “The addition of a learn to skateboard clinic and a competition for a cash purse will open new doors for adaptive skateboarders everywhere,” she added. Amy had no reservations crediting the X Games for their generosity and support, making the statement that “X Games has been an amazing five-year supporter of AAS adaptive programming and continues to provide a great venue, bringing together able bodied and adaptive athletes.”

Protec will provide protective gear (helmets and pads) for the clinic and skateboards will be provided by Element Skateboards. In addition to Shoe City, Protec and Element, additional corporate partners for the event include Freedom Innovations, VANS, Volcom, Vita-Coco and Flora Health.

Check out the new PSA for Adaptive Action Sports:

For more information, visit Adaptive Action Sports.

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