Laureus encourages kids to play sports like this: “We never skied in school”

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Something is happening on the playground of the private school Schloss Regensberg. Classes are held outside today. The Laureus Foundation visits with its new “Gorilla Freestyle Tour” sports program. The so-called rookies show kids and teens the basics of skating. The team has a few tricks for the more advanced.

The historic town of Regensberg also has an old acquaintance of the Swiss sports scene: former snowboard expert Gian Simmen (46). “Absolutely, just stand up straight on the screws,” says the 1998 Olympic champion from Nagano, showing Sultan (12) how to step on the board safely. Look: cornering is much better. “I’m slowly starting to understand,” the student happily says. “High-five!” – Simmen is also pleased.

“Skateboarding paved the way for me to snowboard,” the father of four explains. “As a Laureus ambassador, I find it much better to pass on my skills to others. I think it’s great to teach kids movement. Sports aren’t open to everyone.” Simmen recalls that such programs had never existed before. “You bought yourself a rollercoaster and copied it from the big guys. Then we worked on the tricks until it was perfect.”

Now it’s Gian’s turn

Even today the motto in the school square is: practice, practice, practice. Erlemt (15) is already pretty good at skating. “I did a somersault,” shouts the student. Unfortunately, he landed on his colleague Ayoub (13) halfway through. This makes it sporty. “It’s okay, Erlemt.” The workshop is great fun for students. “We never skied in school,” she emphasizes with sparkling eyes.

But now the kids want to see what former pro athlete Simmen can do. They build a small wall of three skateboards. Can the 46-year-old handle three skateboards? “Go Go go!” cried the class. The first attempt fails, the second jump works. “When you skateboard, you fall and lift yourself up to start all over again. Skateboarding is a great school of life”, sums up Simmen.

“We are very lucky to be able to do this project with Laureus,” says school principal Schmuel Stokvis, who is now also attending the skateboarding workshop. The private school accompanies children and young people in difficult life situations in their boarding school. “This way, our students can playfully showcase their resources. I think that’s very important.”

Martin Wittwer, National Director of Laureus, adds: “We want to support children and young people who are not easy in life. Sport strengthens self-efficacy. Skating in particular encourages motivation and creativity.»

Some of the material remains

Stefan (16), who came to Switzerland with his mother from Serbia 2.5 years ago, actually closes with the best kickboxing. But the student also liked to skateboard. Today Stefan rides the board for the second time, and after a few laps he says, “I want to buy a skateboard now.”

The Laureus Foundation also ensures that skateboarding can continue. Some of the materials will remain after the workshop. Plus, kids and teens will find skateboarding tips and tricks on one platform that will motivate them to keep going. “As the foundation, it is our goal that the few young people we teach to skate are rookies themselves and want to pass on this passion to others. It is extremely valuable for young people to be able to talk to them as equals, says Martin Wittwer of Laureus.

The question is: how fit is Gian Simmen as a teacher? “It’s beautiful. It taught me a lot of new things,” says Ayoub, 13. The 12-year-old sultan, with a wide grin, replies, “Seven out of ten.”

Source : Blick