Shred In The Name of Love Skateboard Clinic at Kalka Park

May 8, 2026

Jeston Morris

Community Newspewrson

KOMATKE, Ariz. — The District 6 Recreation Department and the Seven Layer Army partnered for the Skateboard Clinic series at Kalka Skate Park on April 25. Several dozen GRIC youth came out for the clinic on a perfect day. Community members came out supporting the youth learning skateboard fundamentals and tricks. The clinic series was 3 months.

Seven Layer Army (SLA) skateboard company is owned by Reuben Ringlero and Paul Molina, who are GRIC members. They promote skateboarding among the youth. For example, SLA has provided skateboard clinics to young skateboarders across the Gila River Indian Community and other tribal nations since they were established in 2008. There is a skateboard competition in the works for the month of June.

SLA partnered with District 6 Recreation and Cowtown Skateboards, and they came up with skateboards for the clinic. “What the young skateboarders don’t know is they will get to keep the skateboard they have used during the clinics,” said Ringlero.

Ringlero and Molina led the youth in a dynamic full body stretching exercise.  They gave a demonstration of picking up the board and carrying it. To pick up your board, you put your foot in the middle of the tail and push down. The opposite end of the board lifts, and you pick it up. You carry the board by its side, not the truck. 

Miss Gila River Eliana Rhodes gave the welcome remark to start the clinic. She assisted with the clinic raffle and posed with skateboarders throughout the event. The skateboard clinic series was a success. The young skateboarders not only received a professional custom board but also learned fundamentals and some tricks. They’re eagerly awaiting the skateboard competition in June.