Norfolk Collegiate student uses 鈥楥oncrete Confidence鈥� venture to inspire young girls to jump on a skateboard
NORFOLK, Va. — It didn鈥檛 take long for Chase Barclay to develop her passion for skateboarding. The rising junior at Norfolk Collegiate and Larchmont resident was a semi-pro competitive skateboarder and is now looking to inspire a new generation of female skate athletes through her venture, Concrete Confidence.
鈥淲hen I was younger, I used to skateboard a lot,鈥� said Chase, 鈥�23. 鈥淚 went to competitions. I was very passionate about it.鈥�
Chase picked up skateboarding at the age of 8 when her brother went to a skate camp in Rhode Island where she was raised before moving to Hampton Roads.
鈥淚 tried his board and was hooked. It was there at that camp that I met Andrew Barbosa,鈥� Chase said. Barbosa, a former professional skateboarder and founder of SD SkateLife, uses his 20+ years of skateboarding experience to teach kids how to skateboard.
After several years of competitive skateboarding, she stepped away to pursue other passions. Now, she鈥檚 back and teaching a new generation how to ride and instilling confidence in her young skaters through one-on-one skateboarding lessons.
鈥淚 want to teach young girls a new skill that I hope will give them independence, an outlet, and overall, something enjoyable to do,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to put a smile on girls’ faces by teaching them slowly but surely, how to ride the concrete waves.鈥�
Chase began working with two girls from Virginia Beach and taught them for about four weeks.
鈥淭hey improved so much, and it was so much fun to watch,鈥� Chase said.
So far, her students have been inexperienced, so Chase first works to get them comfortable with the basics.
鈥淲e work on figuring out what foot they are dominant with and have forward (are they regular or goofy foot) and we figure out which way is comfortable for each girl. Then I show them how to push on the board and I have them hold my hands while getting comfortable. I teach them how to lean on the board and where to push. By lesson four, they tend to be skating on their own,鈥� said Chase. 鈥淚 also teach skate park etiquette, how to get around and stay safe, and how to fall. I want them to know it鈥檚 okay to fall.鈥�
Chase has four new students signed up for summer lessons and is looking forward to teaching a new generation of skaters.
鈥淚鈥檓 super excited to give back what gave me so much joy. One of the girls I taught had no skateboarding experience and now she鈥檚 become so confident! She brought her pads into ‘show and tell’ at school and showed the boys that she can skate. I hope that other kids can get that feeling,鈥� Chase said.
In her spare time, Chase does CrossFit and surfs. She also played volleyball and soccer.
Interested in learning more about Concrete Confidence or booking a lesson? Lessons are one hour long and take place at Virginia Beach鈥檚 Mount Trashmore skate park, or Chase can go to her students or have them come to her. A helmet, pads and water are needed; however, Chase has a few additional boards for her beginners to use if they do not already have them. Visit to learn more or book your lesson today!
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