Rubicon Skateboards
History
Rubicon Skateboards was created in 2005 by two brothers, Greg and Geoff from Hampshire. Rubicon operate the first skateboard school in the United Kingdom(1) and are the biggest and most active provider of skateboard lessons in the country. Based out of Winchester, Rubicon have regional instructors around the country including the likes of Tony Da Silva (Harmony Skateboards, DC Shoes, Note Skateshop). Other professional UK skateboarders who have worked with Rubicon include Greg Nowik (10) and Callum Bowran (UK Freestyle Champion).
Work
Rubicon work primarily with children aged 6 to 18 through primary and secondary schools but have also established working relationships with dozens of county councils(3)(4)(5). They are unique to the UK not just for the size of their operations but also in the fact that they always travel(2) to whoever wants to learn as opposed to being limited to working out of a single skatepark. A good reputation means they have worked with companies such as BSkyB (doing a Living for Sport programme to help children who feel disconnected from education get involved again through sport), the BBC (as part of their Blast Tour programme to engage children in creative pursuits) and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme (skateboarding is now on the options syllabus and monitored by Rubicon). In total, the Rubicon team has provided over 500 lessons and demo's to circa 4000 children.
Camps
Rubicon Skateboards were also the first company to bring skateboarding-specific residential week long camps to the UK. Previously skateboarding had been included within other general sports weeks. Camps involve trips to a number of large parks and include daily tuition from the instrucutors. The 2008 camps are based near Coventry and will visit the Stoke on Trent Plaza and the Works Skate Park in Leeds.
Sponsorship
Rubicon sponsored the first ever Girls Skate Comp at NASS08. The National Adventure Sports Show is Europe's biggest action sports and music festival. Results were: Helena Long 1st, Sam Bruce 2nd, Lois Pendlebury 3rd with Sam picking up Best Trick with a frontside boardslide down the rail over the G gap into the bank.
Rubicon sponsored the Winchester City Skate Jam on 7 June 2008. See flyer and video.
Recent news
Rubicon Skateboards appeared in a wide selection of national press recently for their work with the Hampshire Police Force.(6)(7)(8). The community success led to interviews and coverage with America's ABC News Network and their "Good Morning America" programme.(9)
References
(1) The International Skateboard School Network lists Rubicon as the only UK skateboard school and one of only 5 international skateboard schools in the world. here
(2) New York Times company - About reports Rubicon as a touring skateboard school. here
(3) Gosport Borough Council reviews their work with Rubicon. here
(4) Kennet District Council reviews their work with Rubicon. here
(5) Test Valley Borough Council reviews their work with Rubicon. here
(6) From The Sun newspaper - "On pat-roll for law and boarder". here
(7) From The Daily Mail newspaper - "Police unveil their latest weapon against crime - bobbies on skateboards". here
(8) From The Times newspaper - "Police let good times roll". here
(9) From Good Morning America - "'Just Normal People': Cops Hop on Skateboards". here
(10) Skatemalaysia coverage from March 2008 lists all Greg's sponsors. here
(11) The latest trend is using mini segways or two wheeled electric scooters
Other documented groups Rubicon have worked with
Sports England along with Brighton & Hove Council organise Active for Life with Rubicon. here
Sportsfest and Rubicon promote equality within sport. here
Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Rubicon promoting healthy lifestyles through non-traditional sports. here
Research
New research shows that the BSkyB "Living for Sport" project that Rubicon was involved in has been a great success. here