While Wellesley isn’t exactly a hotbed for skateboarding, one lifelong resident is hooked on it and is offering lessons to those who want to learn. Matt Schnorr’s business card, sitting on a table at the Recreation Department in the Warren Building, caught my eye, so I shot him an email to find out more.
The 26-year-old is just starting out offering lessons on his own, but also teaches via the Knucklebones fun and fitness outfit that sometimes provides activities at town events, such as summer concerts. Lessons cost between $40-$50 apiece depending on how many you sign up for, and take place at the client’s home, Warren Park or at the Waltham skate park if the client has experience.
Schnorr, a varsity hockey player while at Wellesley High and a skateboarder for the past 14 years, says “skating is in my blood.”
Though finding good places to skateboard in Wellesley is tough (perhaps made slightly better by the removal of bricks from crosswalks and sidewalks of late). Schnorr says he personally likes to skateboard most near the Boston Garden.
As for skateboarding in Wellesley, he says Warren Park isn’t bad, even providing a covering in the rain. “The best place to skate in Wellesley is Warren Park because you won’t get kicked out like most ever other place in town…it’s very frowned upon [ in Wellesley].” The Wellesley Free Library garage is also a good venue, he says.
Schnorr would like to see a skate park in town but isn’t holding his breath for that to happen (though you never know considering all the different proposals floating around for possible recreation space between the North 40 and 900 Worcester St.). He says there’s a general fear among the public that skate parks attract druggies. However, skateboarders hope that the sport’s reputation is going more legit thanks to the growing popularity of extreme sports and their exposure on TV via the X Games, where the Mega Ramp is a big attraction.
When Schnorr isn’t skateboarding, he enjoys graphic design and is looking for work in that field. You can see some of his designs in this post.
I asked Schnorr how many boards he has, and he replied that “the actual board only lasts a few weeks to a month if you’re lucky, if you’re a serious skateboarder like me. I have one complete skateboard and about 6 skate decks in the back of my car.” His favorite boards are from Raw, Plan B, Expedition One and Orchard.
Naturally, I asked Schnorr about whether he’s ever mangled himself skateboarding. Indeed, he dislocated his right shoulder trying to “grind a rail” at Waltham after dark. He warns new skateboarders “Never skate after dark,” and adds that ankle sprains and breaks, along with heel bruises, are the most common injuries.
Perhaps with lessons from Schnorr, though, budding skateboarders can avoid some of those injuries. You can reach him here.
Leave a Reply