Citizen of the year: Nick Austin’s Infinity Skate program changing lives of disadvantaged kids through skate

A passionate volunteer youth worker has paved the way for disadvantaged kids to pick up the skateboard and learn the craft while curbing the perception that skate parks are antisocial places. Geraldton citizen of the year and master of all things skate-related Nick Austin, 36, is passionate about creating a positive, welcoming space for the skating community to come together and hype each other up. Austin moved to Geraldton from Leicestershire, England in 2009 to take advantage of the kitesurfing opportunities along the coast, before settling down with his partner in Geraldton. In 2019, Mr Austin launched the grassroots initiative Skate Donate to expand his mission to set an example for children who lacked positive role models at home. The initiative involves the community coming together to donate old and unused equipment for those who may misbehave at the park because they don’t have the opportunity to learn the sport. “The best example is a kid who was at the skate park one evening mindlessly hammering the concrete for no reason other than just to cause damage,” he said. “He came up to me one day and said, ‘can I help you clean up?’ and I thought that was a real win, whereas before he had nothing to do.” Since spending time at Wonthella Skate Park, he said it had become cleaner and more respected by visitors because they were taught respect and park etiquette. As a result of the community’s positive engagement with the Skate Donate program, Mr Austin launched Infinity Skate. The program holds free Skate Today workshops at GRAMS Reserve on Mondays, and on Wednesdays at Wonthella Skate Park. As well as the free programs, Mr Austin launched the largest community-run skateboard competition in the State by distance, held across Jurien Bay, Geraldton and Kalbarri. The Revolve Skate Series was established in 2021, with skaters coming all the way from Margaret River, tying together WA’s skating community. “All the crew, they’re friendly and they’re on first-names terms, they’re having a good time as well as competing against each other. It’s really good for the State — having something that’s owned by the skaters pretty much,” Mr Austin said. The plan is for this year’s series to be held in September, October and November, with the aim of launching the series at a fourth location and creating a skate music festival down the track. “What I really love is being able to give recognition to kids, and they support you as well,” Mr Austin said. “They’ll tell you that you can do it when you might not believe you can, and so you pass that on and go ‘you got this’, ‘let’s see you land it’, so you’re supporting them and they support you.” “That’s how the whole skate community comes together — it doesn’t matter what trick you’re doing or how advanced you are, people are going to tap you on the shoulder, give you a fist-bump or tap their board because they know how hard it is.” Austin said skate parks were no longer seen as antisocial and were widely accepted by local government and Shires, with most coastal towns developing a skate park on the foreshore for tourism opportunities. “Geraldton is really missing out on a big skate park on the foreshore,” Mr Austin said. “The misconception is not there, so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have more access to skate parks in more public places which aren’t tucked away. “Travelling families, they’ll stop at Jurien Bay because there’s a skate park. I’ve been out to Mount Magnet and they’ll make a detour during inland trips to go to a skate park.” Claiming the 2023 citizen of the year award, Mr Austin said he was shocked and honoured to be recognised for what he did in the community. “It’s nice to get that little pat on the back, because the community doesn’t necessarily see what happens down here,” he said. “It’s that passive mentoring and the consistency of being available and there for a chat if kids want to have a yarn outside of skating. “For kids to have an outlet outside of family, if they can have that through not just myself, but other mature responsible adults at the skate park is a real benefit.” Follow Infinity Skate WA for more updates on Facebook, Instagram or at www.infinityskate.net.