How do you translate a foreign concept like surfing to a freshman in high school from New York City?
Taimir is a regular student at one of our schools in Downtown Brooklyn.
On paper he’s an average student, but there’s nothing average about him in STOKED.
He caught the STOKED bug at the beginning of the school year.
He built a skateboard with the after-school program and signed up for every Snow Mentor day.
For surfing he had to learn to swim. So he signed up for all of our STOKED to Swim days too.
As with most kids in our programs, Taimir had never done these sports before STOKED.
Taimir with STOKED supporter Paul Rodriguez.
If you remember learning to swim, maybe as a kid, maybe as an adult, it’s scary. You can drown, and your body knows that.
Taimir got in the water on his first day and went for it. Putting the strokes together with the kicks wasn’t working, but he kept doing it. He needed to pass his swim test.
But he didn’t. However, he will be practicing at the beach until he passes and he’s pumped for surfing.
Putting his final touches on the skateboard deck he made this year.
“[Through STOKED] I’ve learned I like to get back up and keep on trying again if I fall,” said Taimir.
Failing is part of succeeding. It’s a matter of how you look at it and Taimir’s attitude won’t let him fail. That is the power of STOKED.
Leave a comment and wish Taimir good luck!
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The variety of your strategies is truly impressive. Keep up the good work…
KEEP AT IT AND YOU WILL SWIM… IN THE WATER AND IN LIFE!!!!
Sure wish Stoked was around when I was growing up in New York. Believe it or not I get inspired reading your accomplishments & I live 1000 miles away form your Bklyn office. Keep up the great work mentoring the youth through Action Sports. I can see how the mere exposure can impact their lives!!!