Mums taking skateboarding lessons in Cornwall at Mount Hawke

Dozens of sporty parents, all aged in their 40s and 50s, have been being inspired by 13-year-old Olympic star Sky Brown to take to the ramps.

One group, which started as just five Cornish mums, has already inspired dozens of others to give the sport a try.

As beginners, the mums said they could barely stand up – but several have now perfected kick turns, ramps and other tricks during weekly sessions.

And after getting to grips with the board and ramps they said they have no plans to stop anytime soon.

The original group featured Lisa Woodruff, 50, a marketing manager from Hayle and Sam Sanger, 49, a vet from St Ives, along with Phoebe Sampson, 44, a project manager, Carly Summers, 45, a company director, and Katie Mallam, 49, a paediatric consultant, all from St Agnes.

Ms Woodruff, a single mother of two young kids, said she summoned the courage to ask if she could get lessons while watching her own children skate after summer.

Coach Zain Ishmael helps Lisa Woodruff at the Mount Hawke Skate Park Picture: SWNS

She added: "During the summer, some of the skateboard coaches were putting on a workshop for kids down at the skate park that I booked my kids onto.

"All the mums and dads were there stood around chatting and we were saying how it looked like such fun, but was so scary, and thought wouldn't it be nice if we could get some of these guys to teach us how to do it.

"There were three or four of us who really wanted to learn, so at the end of the session I went up and asked Zain and just said we were keen and asked if he'd give us some lessons.

"I jokingly asked how he felt about teaching old ladies".

Zain Ishmael, one of the instructors at Mount Hawke Skate Park, near St Agnes, told the parents he was more than happy to oblige and soon the group had the entire park to themselves on Mondays.

They've continued ever since, though it's not always been easy.

Lisa added: "We just told him that we don't know anything, as he didn't know what to expect.

"For Zain to come along and literally hold our hands while we're rolling along, while we were getting out balance – to go from that to what we're doing now, doing kick turns and dropping into the bowl.

"Never in a million years did I think we'd be doing that."

There has been a 'resurgence' in the sport recently, with Skateboard GB reporting that, partly due to the lockdowns, there has been an approximately 25% increase in the number of people visiting skate parks in the last two years.

Carli Summer, Lisa Woodruff, Coach Zain Ishmael, Sam sanger and Katie Mallam at the ladies adult training session Picture: SWNS

But Lisa said it was still not for the faint-hearted.

She added: "You have to go into it knowing that you will fall over a lot, but we all keep motivating one another – we even do lift shares so that we can't chicken out each week."

The group quickly expanded, picking up numerous new members, particularly people from surfing backgrounds.

Mount Hawke Skate Park have now also said that they intend to start offering more adult lessons after receiving so much interest in taking part since the women began learning.

Lisa said: "We have a WhatsApp group and the word has got around. So there was a lot of people, even women without children who were keen to learn, who got added to the group.

"The explosion of women's skateboarding since the summer Olympics, we were all glued to our screen watching Sky Brown doing amazing things, just really encouraged us.

"Not just the amazing tricks she was doing either but also the camaraderie between the women and girls of her team. It just looked like such a fun and an inclusive thing to do.

"Because we're all women and all older, most of us never had stood on a board before, it's a fun challenge".

The women are overseen by coach Zain Picture: SWNS

Starting off hoping just to be able to roll around the skate park 'constantly', the group have now moved on to doing little tricks and using the half pipes in the park.

Lisa added: "I think I want to learn all of it. From having very low expectations to now thinking, well why can't I learn how to ollie, or do half pipes, I just wanna do what the kids do.

"It is great fun, when you learn something new, we're all buzzing for each other – really buzzing.

"It's very addictive. My kids are also very proud and think it's very 'cool' that I keep my skateboard in the back of my car."

Another member of the group, Katie Mallam, 49, said she had gone over ramps and completed kick turns.

She added: "I really can't believe how much he has taught us.

Lisa practises her tricks Picture: SWNS

"I thought we would just stand and roll around a bit but to be going around ramps and dropping into banks and doing kick turns is way more than I thought we would be able to do."

Coach Mr Ishmael said: "Skateboarding can be for anybody, any age or gender.

"The older women here are pushing it just as much as the younger lot.

"They are doing so well and the progression is really fast.

"Skating is mainly for fun, a sense of release, as well as a challenge with an adrenaline buzz pushing those feelings.

"The endorphins become additive. You know when you are a skateboarder, because you can't live without it."

The group includes a vet, a paediatric consultant and a company director Picture: SWNS