Board Style, Never Boring

Rollin', Slidin', Ridin' on any kind of board California style, this is Mandy Esch's style. This girl rips on the ramps, cuts up the waves, and is solid. However, she will still try new, gnarly tricks. Not only is this girl an amazing surfer and an amazing skater, but she is equally an amazing teacher of these sports.

Mandy knows board style and enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing. Mandy learned how to skate when she was young, but picked it up again, professionally at eighteen. The reason? “I’m just an adrenaline junkie” she says. When she says “I like to go fast”, her face becomes just a huge smile with cheeks. The mischievous grin in her eyes tells it all.

Mandy has an array of sponsors ranging from Madrid skate, flypaper grip tape, or 888 helmets to CTI knee braces. Yup, Mandy is also sponsored by CTI knee she has busted her knee... more than once. This recurring knee injury happened for the first time after three years of skating. The last time she re-injured her knee was the day before a competition. Because of her ranking, all Mandy had to do was get first place and she would be competing in the X Games. While doing a couple of runs in the skate pool the day before, she tweaked her knee. Due to this injury, Mandy did not get to participate in the competition the next day. Although she could only sit watching, Mandy still went to cheer the other ladies on, as she iced her knee. She jokingly questions “what, I’m not invincible?” Although a disappointing injury, she maintained a positive attitude which proves her heart and her passion for her comrades and the "X Game" sports. Not only does Mandy still skate and surf, but when Mandy was twenty, she began teaching and has been making a career out of teaching her skill since 2003.

If you have ever thought about learning how to skateboard or surf, Mandy is the instructor for you. I have had the opportunity to see and experience Mandy in her teaching element and she is excellent with all people of all ages. I have seen her teach young kids to drop-in on skate ramps (little ramps to start with of course), and she even got four mid-wives in their "mids" on surfboards in Carlsbad. Each lady received one-on-one time, and had the opportunity to have Mandy's guidance while in the water. I saw how having an instructor increased their success of even first catching a wave. The ladies all enjoyed themselves, and were excited at the prospect of surfing some more. Mandy even has a few former pupils skating professionally now. Mandy teaches one-on-one lessons, and also offers group lessons. Both classes are based on hourly rates.

For the Summer, Mandy and 360 Skate School are book spaces for skate camps which run Monday through Friday . Skate camps are a great way to keep your kids active, especially during the Summer. There is limited capacity, so book early. Check out the 360 Skate School website for more information.

www.360skateschool.com