Journal

Thoughts on skateboarding, learning, and skate culture.

September 24, 2026

Back to School Skateboard Lessons in NYC & Westchester

September is the best month to start. The parks are emptier, the weather is right, and your kid just spent seven hours at a desk.

September 21, 2026

Team Building Activities in NYC That People Won't Dread

Eight activities worth doing with your team. Skateboarding, improv, cooking, kayaking, and a few more. From someone who runs one of them.

September 21, 2026

Corporate Event Ideas in NYC Beyond the Open Bar

Wellness experiences, creative workshops, outdoor adventures, and brand activations. What people remember versus what they politely attend.

September 21, 2026

Experience Gifts for Kids in NYC & Westchester

Cooking classes, museum memberships, skateboard lessons, and a few more. From someone who sees gift cards get redeemed every week.

September 21, 2026

What to Get a Teenager Who Doesn't Want Anything

They said "I don't know" three times. Here are some ideas from someone who teaches teens every week.

September 21, 2026

Fall Activities for Kids in NYC & Westchester

Apple picking, hiking, skating, and a few ideas that don't show up on every list. From someone who works outside with kids every day of the year.

September 20, 2026

Outdoor Activities for Kids in Westchester (Beyond the Playground)

Hiking, biking, paddling, skating, and a few you probably haven't thought of. A local guide from someone who's spent two decades outside with kids in this county.

September 20, 2026

Fun Hobbies for Adults in NYC (That Aren't the Gym)

Eight things worth doing with your body and your time in this city. From someone who's spent 33 years doing one of them.

September 20, 2026

After-School Activities in Westchester (What Parents Are Choosing)

I teach kids after school every day across Westchester. Here's what parents are choosing, what's working, and how to figure out what fits your kid.

September 19, 2026

How to Skateboard for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Everything you need to start from zero: choosing a board, finding your stance, pushing, stopping, and turning. Written by someone who's taught all of it thousands of times.

September 19, 2026

Is Skateboarding Hard? What to Really Expect

What's hard about skateboarding, what's not, and what most beginners get wrong about the learning curve. An honest answer from 33 years of teaching.

September 19, 2026

How to Teach Your Kid to Skateboard (From a Guy Who Does It Every Day)

Age-specific tips from toddlers through tweens, common parent mistakes, safety basics, and when it makes sense to call in a pro.

September 15, 2026

Why Skateboarding Beats Screen Time (Without Shaming Screens)

Your kid isn't lazy. They're wired for reward loops. Skateboarding gives them one that happens through their body instead of a controller.

September 15, 2026

My Kid Quit Their Sport. Now What?

A lot of my best students showed up the week after they quit soccer. Here's what I've learned about that transition after twenty years of teaching.

September 14, 2026

Scared to Let Your Kid Skateboard? An Honest Answer

Your fear is real, but the risk is lower than you think. Actual injury stats, what supervised lessons look like, and why the bigger risk might be saying no.

September 14, 2026

Skateboard Lessons for Shy or Nervous Kids: What to Expect

What a first skateboard lesson looks like for a shy or nervous child. No ramps, no pressure, no rush.

September 14, 2026

Skateboard Birthday Parties in NYC & Westchester

What a skateboard birthday party looks like, what Leon provides, and how to book one for your kid.

September 14, 2026

Indoor Skateboard Lessons NYC & Westchester: Where to Skate When It's Cold

Year-round skateboarding is real. Here's how Leon handles winter, what indoor options exist, and why the cold months are a good time to learn.

September 14, 2026

Skateboarding for Toddlers & 3-Year-Olds: When Can Kids Start?

Readiness signs, what a lesson looks like for a 3-year-old, and how Leon adapts his teaching for the youngest skaters.

September 14, 2026

Skateboard Lessons in Connecticut: Private Instruction Near the NY Border

Leon serves western Connecticut from Stamford to New Canaan. Here's how it works and where to skate.

September 14, 2026

How to Ollie on a Skateboard (Step-by-Step Guide)

A step-by-step breakdown of the ollie from a skateboard instructor. Foot position, the pop, the slide, common mistakes, and how long it takes.

September 14, 2026

What Age Can Kids Start Skateboarding?

The most common parent question, answered by age group. When kids are ready, what to look for, and what to expect at each stage.

September 14, 2026

Is Skateboarding Safe for Kids? What Parents Should Know

Injury statistics vs. other sports, the gear that matters, and why instruction is the biggest safety factor.

September 13, 2026

Why Schools Are Adding Skateboarding to Their Enrichment Programs

Skateboarding is showing up in school enrichment programs across NYC and Westchester. Here's what that looks like, and why it works.

September 8, 2026

Best Shoes for Skateboarding (You Probably Already Own a Pair)

You don't need skate shoes to start skating. But the wrong shoes will make everything harder. Here's what to look for.

September 8, 2026

What Size Skateboard Should You Get?

Deck width, trucks, wheels — what matters when you're buying your first board, from someone who doesn't sell them.

September 8, 2026

Skateboard vs Longboard: Which One Should You Start On?

The answer depends on one question nobody asks first. Here's how to choose the right board for what you want to do.

September 8, 2026

What Protective Gear Does Your Kid Need?

Helmets, wrist guards, knee pads — what to buy, what to skip, and what prevents injuries when kids are learning.

September 8, 2026

How Much Do Skateboard Lessons Cost in NYC?

Real numbers for private and group lessons in the New York area. No contact form required.

September 8, 2026

Private vs Group Skateboard Lessons: Which One Is Worth It?

I teach both. One is better for learning. The other is better for something else entirely.

September 3, 2026

You Can’t Prompt Your Way to a Kickflip

Skateboarding is one of the few things left that demands your body show up. No shortcut, no AI can substitute for the feel of the board under your feet.

September 1, 2026

Why Kids Who Don't Like Team Sports Love Skateboarding

Skateboarding clicks for kids who don't fit the team-sport mold. No bench, no tryouts — just personal progress and a community that feels good.

September 1, 2026

How Many Skateboard Lessons Does It Take?

The honest answer, broken down by what "learning" means to you. From riding comfortably to landing tricks.

July 9, 2026

7 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC This Summer (That Aren't Camp)

Real outdoor activities around the city, from someone who's spent 20+ years outside with other people's kids.

July 9, 2026

How to Find the Right Skateboard Instructor (and What to Watch Out For)

What matters when you're looking for a skateboard instructor in NYC. Red flags, pricing, and what to ask before you book.

July 9, 2026

Why Westchester Families Are Choosing Private Skateboard Lessons

What parents in Larchmont, Scarsdale, and White Plains are telling me about why private lessons work for their kids.

April 2, 2026

Summer Skateboarding in NYC: Why This Is the Best Time to Start

Longer days, warm pavement, and parks full of people. If you've been thinking about it, summer is the season to go for it.

March 28, 2026

Skateboarding and ADHD: What the Research Shows

A growing body of research suggests that skateboarding can help kids and adults with ADHD. Here's what we know so far.

March 27, 2026

Is Skateboarding Good Exercise? (Better Than You Think)

People always ask me this. The short answer is yes. The longer answer is more interesting.

March 26, 2026

Skateboarding, Anxiety, and Why Getting Outside Matters

Skateboarding won't cure your anxiety. But it might be the best hour of your week.

March 25, 2026

A Skater's Guide to Westchester County Skateparks

Every park worth knowing about in Westchester, from someone who teaches at most of them.

March 24, 2026

Skateboarding at the 2028 Olympics: Why Now Is the Time to Start

Skateboarding is officially a permanent Olympic sport. Here's why that matters for anyone thinking about picking up a board.

March 22, 2026

A Parent's Guide to Kids' Skateboard Lessons

Everything parents need to know: what age to start, safety gear, what to expect, and why skateboarding builds confidence like nothing else.

March 20, 2026

Can You Teach Yourself to Skateboard?

The honest answer from someone who teaches skateboarding for a living, and who taught himself first.

March 15, 2026

How to Learn to Skateboard as an Adult in NYC

A practical guide to starting your skateboard journey as an adult, with Leon's philosophy on patience and progression.

March 8, 2026

Why Skateboarding Builds Resilience (And Why That Matters)

Connecting skating to personal development, mindfulness, and the science of flow states.

February 28, 2026

The Best Skate Spots in New York City

A local's guide to NYC's best skate spots with personal commentary on each location.

February 18, 2026

5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before My First Skateboard Lesson

Common fears and misconceptions addressed honestly to help you take that first step.

February 8, 2026

Skateboarding Is an Analog Art Form

Leon's perspective on why skating matters more than ever in the age of AI and digital everything.