Behind the Scenes: Virtual Train-The-Trainers Session with Jason
Hi Jason! Thanks for coming to our Train-The-Trainers session! How did you enjoy it?
I very much enjoyed the experience. I thought your information and the way you provided it was very well done. I also really appreciated your willingness to do things virtually and also provide a virtual tour of the shop. I loved seeing your processes and all of the great artwork in your shop. Very inspiring!
What inspired you to take the Teacher Training class?
I think what inspired me to take the class was my love of skateboarding and my desire to find new and engaging ways to get more students interested in the shop and woodworking in general.
Have you ever used Roarockit products before? How did you find out about us?
No, I haven't used any Roarockit products before. I found you guys through my desire to find ways to build skateboards in the shop, and good old fashioned investigative work on the internet. I found you guys through a few links from some other sites like Open Source Skateboards and DIY Skate.
What did you learn? How will you implement this into the program you are planning to start?
I learned a great deal about the actual process of using the vacuum bag system, and especially the timing of everything. I think the curriculum you guys provided is a great tool, and has provided me with a great base to start introducing this idea of building skateboards into my Woodshop classes.
What was your favourite part of the session?
I think my favorite part of the lesson was the actual glue up process and learning the timing of everything. I think going through that and understanding that aspect of it will be very beneficial when working with my students.
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Sure. I am a lifelong construction guy and have done many things within the construction industry from digging ditches all the way to owning my own General Contracting company and building and selling over 50 homes in the greater Seattle area. I am also a Journeyman level carpenter with a ton of woodworking experience as well. I also happen to be a lifelong skater who still rides a Street Deck with longboard wheels 2-3 times a week (even at my age!).
Any advice for aspiring board builders and woodworkers out there?
Pay really close attention to the amount of glue you use and make sure you spread the glue EVENLY across ALL areas of the laminate sheets, and the time it takes you to complete the glue up process. You don't want to suffer any delaminations because your glue is not spread well, or you don't have enough.
Would you recommend the Train-The-Trainers session to other educators looking to start teaching skateboard building?
I would absolutely recommend this session and your products to any other teachers out there interested in learning about how to build skateboards and incorporating it into their classrooms.
Thanks again Jason! We can’t wait to see how your students' boards turn out.
Thanks again for providing the session, information, and materials, and I will definitely be sharing the students work with you guys!
Taryn O’Grady
Roarockit Skateboard Company