Fall Spotlight: SkateATL Brings a New Mini Ramp (and a Lot of Stoke) Indoors
When Allan Minter went looking for skateboarding lessons for his daughter, he found two options: a big out-of-town company with steep prices, or video lessons from instructors in other states. Neither felt real, and neither felt local. So he built what he'd been looking for. Today SkateATL is an indoor skatepark and academy in Chamblee, with lessons, camps, and open skate for kids of all ages and skill levels. Cold or rainy weather doesn't stop the fun. This fall the crew is putting the finishing touches on a brand-new mini ramp. We caught up with Allan to talk fall break, nervous first-timers, and his favorite under-the-radar skatepark.
Tell us about your Fall Break Skate Camp. Is it a good fit for total beginners?
Fall break camp was intimate. Summer camps are our big-ticket items, where we fill 15-passenger shuttles for six consecutive weeks. Every week is beginner-friendly. We make it a fun environment for kids of all ages and skill levels.
You started SkateATL after you had trouble finding lessons for your daughter. What was that search like?
Frustrating. It was either a large-scale company based out of Canada that seemed to price gouge, or video lessons from teachers in other states. None of it felt real or local.
What's new in your space this season?
We just got a mini ramp (a half pipe), and the team is almost done assembling it. We're incredibly stoked. It's one of the more fun parts of skating. It's an easier place to learn to drop in, and it gives you continuous flow.
Will you have anything during winter break?
We'll likely have a Winter Break camp. Details are still TBD.
For a nervous parent, what gear does a kid need, and how do you build confidence in a kid who's scared to drop in?
A helmet is a must. The confidence will come, and our instructors make sure of that. It doesn't always come quickly, but it will come. Our pros assist with drop-ins until students have the confidence to go for it unassisted.
Which Atlanta skatepark would you send a family to on a fall afternoon?
I've always loved Arthur Langford Jr. Park in Joyland. It's a cute park, not too big and not too small, and it hardly ever gets crowded.
What are you most excited about this fall?
Our new mini ramp!
What are your favorite fall activities to do with your family around Atlanta?
I love hiking in the fall. Sweetwater Creek on a gorgeous weekday with no crowds is a little slice of heaven on Earth. I love to run, read, and do pretty much anything outdoors. Corn mazes, apple picking, all the classic fall fun.
Good to know
Where: 3200 Cumberland Dr, Chamblee, GA 30341
What's offered: Private, semi-private, and group lessons, summer camp, an after-school program, a homeschool program, and memberships for open skate
Parent perks: An espresso bar, Wi-Fi, and a deck and patio to hang out on while kids skate
Hours: Monday–Thursday 12–9 PM, Friday 12–10 PM, Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–10 PM
Ready to get your kid rolling? Explore SkateATL and other Atlanta camps at campdays.com.
Sincerely,
Katie
Founder, Camp Days
