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It's not exactly "Lords of Dogtown," the 2005 Hollywood flick that romanticized Southern California's skateboard craze, but Skate 4 Homies is Salt Lake City's incubator for Utah's skateboard culture and community.
Veteran boarder Todd Ingersoll launched the relatively new endeavor in spring 2009 in conjunction with Youth City, a Salt Lake City program that offers after-school and summer activities for youngsters 8 to 14.
"We wanted to show kids there is more to skateboarding than being the fastest boarder or doing the most tricks," said Ingersoll, 31. "We're trying to show them there's a community out there."
An art show and sale Saturday at The Gateway mall will help underwrite the program.
"We've been working hard with the kids and have seen them grow in confidence and skill," Ingersoll said. "We wanted to give them the opportunity to participate in this show, so they can share their experiences from our class and their community."
Ingersoll, who is originally from Maine, knows what it's like to be an avid boarder in a place that gets a lot of snow and where skateboarders aren't always welcome.
"My parents built me a half-pipe in the backyard and people came from miles around," he said. "I wanted to share that."
The Skate 4 Homies program teaches skateboard etiquette, skills, culture and history. It has evolved from an original plan that simply sought to get good equipment for kids who could not afford it, Ingersoll explained.
The course helps young boarders learn about equipment and how to be safe, said John Lyman, program coordinator for Youth City.
"A lot of our kids would rather just go outside and ride around on four wheels," he said. "We've always had skateboard classes, but this takes it to another level."
Skate 4 Homies fosters self-discipline in the sport, Lyman said. "Learning to be an individual is the real take-home of this program."
Fifteen skaters just completed the nine-week class Friday. Another is set to begin in January through Youth City.
One of the kids, Jarrett Molock, 9, said the course was fun and he learned a lot about skating.
"They try and teach us that skateboarding is not just to be cool," he said. "And they take us places and show us things, like how to do an Ollie [a trick where the boarder pops the board into the air]."
Kasim Bakenra, 12, said he wanted to do another nine weeks with Skate 4 Homies.
"I thought it was really fun. We went to the skate warehouse in Midvale," he said. "My favorite thing is landing a new trick, the satisfaction of it."
For Elijah Fryman, 12, it's all about getting the word out on skateboarding.
"I'm glad they are promoting skating, so more people get into it."
Skate 4 Homies Art Show
P An art show to benefit the program will feature skateboard decks painted by kids, as well as Utah artists Ryan Harrington, Dominic Suazo, Kristen Rupert and others.
Where • Discovery Gateway, 444 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City
When • Saturday, 2 to 8 p.m.
Admission • Free