The independent Ability Measure for Skateboarding
The independent Ability Measure
explorer
NEW PARTICIPANT
Your Skateboarding journey has begun!
A White iAM Band shows that you have taken the first step – maybe the most exciting and challenging step any of us ever take.
You can have fun in a safe skate park environment under fully qualified supervision. You have completed C1 of the Mount Hawke Skate Challenge.
- with or without assistance, roll along on a skateboard.
- They have also registered with the park and seen the guide.
Equivalence: Mount Hawke Skate Challenge 1
The independent Ability Measure
learner
PROGRESSING BEGINNER
Push, push, off and away!
A Yellow iAM Band shows that you have progressed from the introductory phase of Skateboarding.
You are now able to push, roll and steer. You have completed C2 of the Mount Hawke Skate Challenge.
- Jump onto bolts.
- Tail to ground.
- Nose to ground.
- Lift and tap front wheels.
- Jump off.
Equivalence: Mount Hawke Skate Challenge 2
The independent Ability Measure
apprentice
ADVANCED BEGINNER
In control, filled with potential!
An Orange iAM Band shows that you have built on the fundamental, basic Skateboarding skills.
You are now improving your control and picking up speed. Tic tacs and riding off kerbs are all part of this assessment. You have completed C3 of the Mount Hawke Skate Challenge.
- 90 degree kickturn.
- Tic Tac.
- Moonwalk.
- Stand in Primo.
- Toes under half flip.
- Push like a Pro.
- Ride off a kerb height.
- Manual Roll.
Equivalence: Mount Hawke Skate Challenge 3
The independent Ability Measure
intermediate
PRACTICED PARTICIPANT
Stepping up to the next level!
A Green iAM Band shows that all the basics are in place and your understanding of Skateboarding is deepening.
Now, more considered and focused practice will be needed to Ollie, Manual Roll and ride on ramps. You have completed C4 of the Mount Hawke Skate Challenge.
- 180 Kickturn.
- Switch 90° Kickturn.
- Boneless.
- Switch pushing.
- Ride off a 1ft drop.
- Manual roll 2 metres.
- Pump and kickturn.
- Drop in.
Equivalence: Mount Hawke Skate Challenge 4
The independent Ability Measure
independent
PROFICIENT PARTICIPANT
Advanced skills are on the menu now!
A Blue iAM Band shows that you are now Skateboarding at a proficient level.
You can cruise all over the place, busting out an ever increasing range of tricks.
Basic flip tricks, grinds on small ramps and simple ollie variations on the move are part of your skill set. You have completed C5 of the Mount Hawke Skate Challenge.
- 360 Kickturn.
- Ollie up kerbs.
- Nose Manual.
- Boardslide.
- Switch Tictac.
- Get on the coping.
- Drop 5ft miniramp.
- 180 Ollie.
- No Comply.
- 1 Flip and 1 Shuvit.
- Fifty Fifty Grind.
- Switch Ollie.
- Ollie Grab.
Equivalence: Mount Hawke Skate Challenge 5
The independent Ability Measure
skilled
ABLE PERFORMER
Perseverance is paying off!
A Brown iAM Band shows that you are now a good skater.
You have a full command of all the basic tricks and you can perform most advanced skills upon request.
Combinations, consistency and ‘quad’ variations of tricks are now the requirement. You have completed C6 of the Mount Hawke Skate Challenge.
- Ollie a deck.
- 3 Trick line.
- 4ft Fifty Fifty.
- Five O Grind.
- Same trick 3 times
- 4 different flips.
- 4 different shuvits.
- 4 different manuals.
- 4 different 180's.
- Air above the coping
- 2 x combo of tricks i.e.180 Flip and a Varial Boneless.
- Trick off 1ft drop.
- Switch Ollie off a 1ft drop.
Equivalence: Mount Hawke Skate Challenge 6
The independent Ability Measure
expert
CREATIVELY COMPETENT
Control, power, style!
A Black iAM Band shows that you can now legitimately be called - ‘Solid’!
Airs on ramps, ‘All 8’ variations, long grinds, tech flips - done with creativity and grace. You are now also in a position to pass on knowledge to others whilst perfecting your own art. You have completed C7 of the Mount Hawke Skate Challenge.
- 5 Trick line.
- Ollie a deck height of 80cm.
- 3 x different 360s.
- Trick no one here can copy.
- Switch Ollie 2ft.
- 3 combo trick.
- Switch or Fakie Fifty Fifty.
- 3 tricks off 2ft drop.
- 5 lip tricks.
- 5 ledge tricks.
- 8ft Fifty Fifty FS and BS.
- 4 ft slide, nose or tail.
- 6 ft board slide.
- 6ft Boardslide.
- All 8 180s.
- All 8 flips.
- All 8 shuvits.
- All 8 Board slides.
Equivalence: Mount Hawke Skate Challenge 7
The independent Ability Measure
pro
NATIONAL COMPETITOR
A very good skater indeed!
A Red iAM Band shows that you are a national Skateboarding competitor or personality.
You compete and win in national events (in the ‘no-age restriction’ category) and display skills that are matched by very few in the country.
The independent Ability Measure
elite
INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL
The skateboarding Elite!
A Grey iAM Band shows that you are an international competitor or global Skateboarding personality.
You are usually a full time pro earning a living from skating.
You are amongst the very best in the world, inspiring other skaters wherever you go.
SKATEBOARDING is the art of riding a deck, usually made from wood, to which are attached four small wheels. Originally referred to as ‘sidewalk surfing’ referencing it’s origins as an activity carried out by surfers, on land when the waves were flat. It has now grown into a legitimate global sport with a variety of disciplines, with over 20 million regular participants.
iAM Skateboarding
The independent Ability Measure [iAM] for Skateboarding represents the 10 colour milestones along your skateboarding journey. From the very first time you have a skateboarding lesson all the way through to becoming an international skateboarding Icon… we roll along with you the whole way.
To find out what skills and tricks are required to reach each new colour 'ability measure', just select from the 10 colours above.
You can also download our 'Skateboarding Ability Measure' poster as an easy reminder of what you need to practice to get to that next milestone!
Of course if you just want a nice clean skating action shot to put up on your wall, or use as wall paper ( digital or physical!) - simply download the 'Skateboarding Action Poster'.
It's worth knowing that we do send you a lovely A3 version of this poster when you buy a Skateboarding iAM Band.
Requirement
Whilst independent, iAM Bands is adaptable. It has been designed to complement any legitimate or National Governing Body (NGB) recognised progression pathways and awards schemes in the world of skateboarding.
Currently there is a great scheme created by Mount Hawke skatepark in Cornwall – the Mount Hawke Skate Challenge [MHSC] which encourages safe skateboarding, in-depth learning and progressive development of skateboarding skills. Check out - Mount Hawke Skatepark
The only way to earn a Skateboarding iAM Band is to complete a Mount Hawke Skate Challenge. Check out with Mount Hawke when their next Skateboarding coaching session is running, head their way and work towards completing a Challenge. Once you do complete a Challenge they will issue you with your equivalent iAM Bands card, with your own unique reference code to buy and or register your iAM Band. Easy!
The 'Skateboarding Ability Measure' download is not just an easy reminder of what you need to practice to get to that next milestone it also shows how the MHSC requirement is complemented by iAM Bands.
Good luck and have fun!
Photo Mat Perham, Red iAM Band Skater by Zac Stanley