Skateboarders take flight toward Washington, D.C.

Since Jan. 28, a group of eighth-graders from Continental School Civics Club have hosted a variety of events to raise money for a trip to Washington, D.C.

Saturday, the fundraiser took more of an X-Games approach.

A select few of this area’s top young skateboarders put on a show for the audience that gathered outside of Covet Skate Shop, thrilling the crowd with their aerial acrobatics.

Anthony Cokonis, 13, led the skating demonstration, using his nimble skateboarding tricks to make his way to this nation’s capital.

“I skate every single day, right after school,” Cokonis said. “It’s what I love.”

Cokonis began skating three years ago, inspired by boarding legends Tony Hawk and Bob Burnquist.

He now travels around the Southwest to take part in various skate competitions, scoring a second-place finish in the intermediate division during his last contest in Phoenix.

His backyard features a handful of ramps, jumps and rails—many of which made the trip to Covet Skate Shop for the exhibition.

With the increased participation and visibility of skating, Quail Creek engineer Lance Hanson is in the process of completing a top-of-the-line skate park in Arivaca to give kids like Cokonis a fun, legal place to skateboard with other kids.

“I started skating when I was a kid, so I know how important it is for there to be a place for everybody,” Hanson said. “There isn’t a whole lot to do for kids in this area, and this skate park will be a great place for them to board and hang out.”

With over 350 Arivaca Skate Park T-shirts sold as part of the fundraising effort, Hanson expects the park to be completed by the end of the year.

“Sharon Bronson with Pima County has really helped us out by matching the funds we’ve raised,” Hanson said. “The program was moving along pretty sluggishly before they got involved. Now, we want to get everything done before the next monsoon season.”

Cokonis and his friends hope the park will be close to completion when they return from Washington.

“Skating is just so much fun,” Cokonis said. “I hope to get to that X-Games level some day.”

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9736