Skateboarding isn’t just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. And for Simon Thorp, founder of Young Guns Skate School, it’s also a way to teach kids valuable life lessons while having fun. What started as a side hustle after running holiday skate sessions has grown into a full-time passion, empowering the next generation of skateboarders across Auckland and beyond.
Meet Simon Thorp: From Skateboarder to Skate School Founder
Simon’s love for skating is evident with over 22 years of experience on the board. After years of perfecting his craft, he decided to share that knowledge with others, founding Young Guns Skate School. Simon and his team of professional skateboarders offer classes at schools, after-school programs, holiday camps, and even birthday parties. Whether it’s teaching the basics or helping kids perfect new tricks, Simon’s goal is simple: to make skateboarding accessible and fun for everyone.
Skateboarding Classes with a Twist: More Than Just Tricks
At Young Guns, it’s not just about nailing impressive tricks (though there’s plenty of that!). Simon’s classes are designed to build confidence and foster a love for the activity from the ground up.
“We teach everything from the absolute basics to advanced skills,” says Simon.
With three vans packed full of skateboards and equipment, the Young Guns team delivers over 20 regular classes weekly across Auckland and, at times, up to 45 classes a week. This year has been their busiest yet. Earlier in the year, they celebrated surpassing 100,000 student attendance since starting in 2010. In another milestone, they recently ran their 1000th class for 2024, marking the first time they’ve crossed this number in a single year.
From fun obstacle courses to skating through various challenges, each session is packed with games, learning, and plenty of laughs. But it’s more than just landing the perfect ollie.
"Through our programmes and values, the kids learn perseverance, patience and persistence and also how to be respectful, safe and responsible as well."
After all, skateboarding is just as much about character as it is about skill.
The Young Guns Skateboarding Experience: Teaching Values That Last
Skateboarding comes with its own unique set of unwritten rules and etiquette, which many new skaters, and even some parents, may not fully understand. These norms are crucial for ensuring that everyone on the skatepark can enjoy their time safely and respectfully. For instance, Simon explains
It’s about knowing the right time to take a turn or wait for someone to finish their trick...how to treat skate parks with respect, and even when not to skate.”
Simon emphasises these principles, teaching kids not just how to land the perfect trick, but also how to be considerate, safe, and responsible, both on and off the board. By instilling these values, Young Guns Skate School ensures that its students are well-prepared not only for skateboarding but for being good community members as well.
Embracing Technology For Skate School Success
Running a skate school sounds cool, but it also comes with a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Simon shares that most of his time prior to Enrolmy was spent on admin tasks answering emails, managing bookings, and chasing payments.
“We used to take all our class bookings by email. So I would reply to each email with all of the information about how to book and take names and enrolment forms one by one.”
With over 300 kids enrolled each week, this meant Simon was spending a significant amount of his time on admin tasks. That’s when he found Enrolmy. By integrating Enrolmy’s online booking and payment system, Simon was able to automate the admin side of things, freeing up more time to do what he loves—teaching and skating!
“Now I don't have to chase and collect payments anymore, because the system does that for me.” Simon shares.
Parents can now easily book and pay for classes online, reducing the hassle for both families and the skate school.
Expanding Young Guns Skate School: Taking Steps Beyond Auckland
The integration of Enrolmy has been a game-changer for Simon and the Young Guns Skate School team. They have started offering classes outside Auckland, marking the first steps toward a potential nationwide expansion. Enrolmy has had a significant impact on Simon’s business operations. He explains,
"Enrolmy has minimised the time I need to sit behind a computer. Now, I can go skating more and focus on growing the business."
Another standout feature of Enrolmy’s service is the exceptional customer support. Simon highlights this, saying:
"The Enrolmy team has been incredibly friendly and supportive throughout our journey. It's all working well and eventually, I would like to open as many skate schools as possible instead of being tied down with paperwork"
Thanks to the automation of administrative tasks, Simon is now free to dedicate more time to his passion for skateboarding and teaching. Streamlining these processes with Enrolmy has also given the team more flexibility to focus on their students and future growth.
Looking ahead, Young Guns Skate School is well on its way to becoming a staple in New Zealand’s skateboarding community. This growth is not only a testament to their dedication to the sport but also reflects their commitment to inspiring the next generation of skaters nationwide.
You can keep up to date with Young Guns Skate School by following their pages below:
Facebook | Instagram | Enrolmy
If you would like to see a demonstration of how the Enrolmy Software can service your programmes and help your parents book and pay online. Then click here to book a demo
Tags: Lessons and Tutoring, Administration, Holiday Programmes