2024 has been a rollacoaster! We’ve had our good days, and we’ve had our bad days. But the most important thing of all is that we managed to change the lives of 588 young children over the course of 229 total sessions delivered in and around Athens!

If you want to have a look at our detailed report with more stats and some highlights from this year, click below!

And don’t forget, our winter campaign is still live as we are raising 2,000EUR to empower youth through skateboarding in 2025! All you have to do is…

DONATE NOW!

The post Our 2024 annual report is here! appeared first on Free Movement.

Unfortunately, the equipment and the team to make sessions happen cost money, but the magical things about Free Movement, well, they’re free. The wind through your hair after dropping in for the first time, it’s free. Meeting the other kids in the neighbourhood, it’s free. A mum, putting her kids to bed tired and happy, it’s free, with Free Movement Skateboarding.

Your donation can make this magic happen.

Just think…
300 hours of skateboard lessons across 6 neighbourhoods, 2000€.
One kid’s hour of skateboarding sessions 6€.
Art materials for 50 kids, 20€.
A mobile skatepark, 3000€.
Empowering youth through skateboarding: It’s free, with Free Movement Skateboarding.

So donate today and bring 300 hours of these free magical moments in 2025.

DONATE NOW

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History of Mental Health

Ingrid G. Farreras states in the article entitled “History of Mental Illness” that general references to mental conditions can be found throughout history. The evolution of mental illness, however, has not been linear or progressive but rather cyclical. Whether a behaviour is considered normal or abnormal depends on the context surrounding the behaviour and thus changes as a function of a particular time and culture. In the past, uncommon behaviour or behaviour that deviated from the sociocultural norms and expectations of a specific culture and period has been used as a way to silence or control certain individuals or groups. As a result, a less cultural relativist view of abnormal behaviour has focused instead on whether behaviour poses a threat to oneself or others or causes so much pain and suffering that it interferes with one’s relationships with family and friends, and general responsibilities.

Modern treatments of mental conditions are most associated with the establishment of hospitals and asylums beginning in the 16th century. Such institutions’ mission was to house and confine the mentally ill, the poor, the homeless, the unemployed, and the criminal. War and economic depression produced vast numbers of “undesirables” and these were separated from society and sent to these institutions. It is undeniably proven that mental illness throughout history, in many cases, was a term imposed on people that were seen as dangerous for the political, religious and patriarchal systems. Those people were women suffering from “hysteria” rather than sexism, black people who were considered to have smaller brains according to racist doctors and biologists, or people with criminal genes and physical characteristics according to Italian criminologist Lombroso, whose concept of criminal atavism was more than questionable.

According to Farreras, progress in the treatment of mental illness necessarily implies improvements in the diagnosis of it. A standardised diagnostic classification system with agreed-upon definitions of psychological disorders creates a shared language among mental-health providers and aids in clinical research. While diagnoses were recognized as far back as the Greeks, it was not until 1883 that German psychiatrist Emil Kräpelin (1856–1926) published a comprehensive system of psychological disorders that centred around a pattern of symptoms (i.e., syndrome) suggestive of an underlying physiological cause. Other clinicians also suggested popular classification systems but the need for a single, shared system paved the way for the American Psychiatric Association’s 1952 publication of the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).

While the DSM has provided a necessary shared language for clinicians, aided in clinical research, and allowed clinicians to be reimbursed by insurance companies for their services, it is not without criticism. The DSM is based on clinical and research findings from Western culture, primarily the United States. It is also a medicalized categorical classification system that assumes disordered behaviour does not differ in degree but in kind, as opposed to a dimensional classification system that would plot disordered behaviour along a continuum. Finally, the number of diagnosable disorders has tripled since it was first published in 1952, so that almost half of Americans will have a diagnosable disorder in their lifetime, contributing to the continued concern of labelling and stigmatising individuals struggling with mental conditions.

The Stigma

Mental health stigma refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, and prejudices that society holds about people with mental health conditions. It can manifest as discrimination, fear, and misunderstanding, which discourages individuals from seeking help or discussing their mental health challenges openly. Stigma often exacerbates the difficulties faced by people with mental illness, leading to feelings of isolation, shame, and a lack of support. Social, self and institutional stigma can result in reluctance to seek help,  isolation and loneliness, reduced opportunities and negative impact on recovery.

People struggling with mental conditions are often stereotyped as dangerous, weak, or unpredictable. These misconceptions can result in discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment, healthcare, and social relationships. They may feel ashamed, unworthy, or weak because of their mental health struggles, which can reduce self-esteem, worsen their condition, and make them less likely to seek treatment.

Last but definitely not least, in countries like Greece where we have limited access to mental health services, inadequate mental health coverage in insurance plans, or employment discrimination, the stigmatisation of people with mental health conditions is inevitable. Additionally, the bill that the government has passed in July 2024, including the potential shutting down of Greece’s two largest public psychiatric hospitals (Psychiatric Hospital of Athens “Dafni” and Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki), the structure of public rehab centres (KETHEA, 18 ANO, OKANA etc.) that is going to change massively, treatment programs in the field of drug addiction that are being abolished, social phenomena such as juvenile delinquency that are going to be medicalized, and the final act of the privatisation of mental health in the country, results to hopelessness.

So what about skaters and mental health?

Zane Foley states in the article “How can skateboarding help your mental health?” that skateboarding has amazing physical and mental health benefits but skaters too often like to pretend skateboarding is all they need. That while, yes, for many of them, being 10 to 15 years old and using skateboarding as an escape, greatly impacted, even potentially saved some lives. However, as we get older and life creates new challenges, skateboarders are not impervious to life’s obstacles and every now and then, just like rehabbing a skate injury, they need help getting back to full strength.

Everyone involved in the skate community is familiar with Ben Raemers’ case. In May 2019, at the age of 28, professional skateboarder Ben Raemers died by suicide. Through seeing the sadness left behind and the desire from the community to support an ongoing project, The Ben Raemers Foundation was formed. The overall aim of the foundation is to provide a way to maintain Ben’s legacy and help prevent any more loss to suicide. Initiatives like the Ben Raemers Foundation aim to enable the skateboarding community to have opportunities to develop the skills and tools needed to support each other to understand and address mental health. Suicide is a preventable death, so it is something everyone can work together to do and save lives.

Maintaining mental health is essential for overall well-being. Poor mental health can affect relationships, work performance, physical health, and one’s ability to enjoy life. Just like physical health, mental health can fluctuate and needs attention, care, and, when necessary, professional support. Effective mental health care may include therapy, counselling, medication, lifestyle changes, and community support. But above all, love for one’s self.

To bring awareness regarding Mental Health, we would like to urge you to visit the Ben Raemers Foundation website as well as their instagram account, to educate yourself about mental health issues that might concern you or people close to you. And remember to take care.

Sources:
1. World Mental Health Day https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day
2. History of Mental Illness https://nobaproject.com/modules/history-of-mental-illness#content
3. The Press Project – Psychiki metarrythmisi sta chartia, fylakes psychon kai ypovathmisi tis apexartisis gia chari ton idioton stin praxi https://thepressproject.gr/psychiki-metarrythmisi-sta-chartia-fylakes-psychon-kai-ypovathmisi-tis-apexartisis-gia-chari-ton-idioton-stin-praxi/
4. How can skateboarding help your mental health? https://www.redbull.com/au-en/pushing-forward-mental-health
5. The Ben Raemers Foundation https://thebenraemersfoundation.com/

The post World Mental Health Day appeared first on Free Movement.

June has come again, and it is not only hot but full of pride. Why pride? Well, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honour the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States, and it began in the early hours of June 28, 1969 when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn ― a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City. The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighbourhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighbouring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

To delve a bit more into this historical movement during the last two centuries, in 1924, Henry Gerber, a German immigrant, founded in Chicago the Society for Human Rights, the first documented gay rights organisation in the United States. During his U.S. Army service in World War I, Gerber was inspired to create his organisation by the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, a “homosexual emancipation” group in Germany. Gerber’s small group published a few issues of its newsletter “Friendship and Freedom,” the country’s first gay-interest newsletter. Police raids caused the group to disband in 1925, but 90 years later, the U.S. government designated Gerber’s Chicago house a National Historic Landmark. The gay rights movement stagnated for the next few decades, though LGBTQ+ individuals around the world did come into the spotlight a few times.

During World War II, the Nazis held homosexual men in concentration camps, branding them with the infamous pink triangle badge, which was also given to sexual predators. On the other hand, the inverted black triangle was an identification badge used in Nazi concentration camps to mark prisoners designated asozial (antisocial) and arbeitsscheu (work-shy). The Roma and Sinti people were considered asocial and tagged with the black triangle. The designation also included alcoholics, beggars, homeless people, nomads, sex workers, and violators of laws prohibiting sexual relations between Aryans and Jews. Lesbian women were also deemed to be anti-social, marked with the black triangle as well. Although the Nazi camps are a distant memory (we hope), for decades and decades in the modern ages queer people thought to be deranged, enemies to the heteronormative society, mentally ill, and classified in the DSM (the official psychiatric handbook of mental disorders). Regarding this, in the context of Psychiatry APA removed homosexuality from the DSM only in 1973 based on the new scientific studies, opening the way for new understanding of the LGBTQ individuals. Queer people have suffered not only Nazi camps, but also psychiatric treatment, along with education within christian camps and conversion “therapies” up until now. 

LGBTQ+ Political Victories

The increased visibility and activism of LGBTQ+ individuals in the 1970s helped the movement make progress on multiple fronts. In 1977, for instance, the New York Supreme Court ruled that transgender woman Renée Richards could play at the United States Open tennis tournament  against other female athletes. Additionally, several openly LGBTQ+ individuals secured public office positions: Kathy Kozachenko won a seat to the Ann Harbor, Michigan, City Council in 1974, becoming the first out American to be elected to public office. Harvey Milk, who campaigned on a pro-gay rights platform, became the San Francisco city supervisor in 1978, and the first openly gay man elected to a political office. Milk asked Gilbert Baker, an artist and gay rights activist, to create an emblem that represents the gay rights movement and would be seen as a symbol of pride. Baker designed and stitched together the first rainbow flag, which he unveiled at a pride parade in 1978. The following year, in 1979, more than 100,000 people took part in the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

Outbreak of AIDS

The outbreak of AIDS in the United States dominated the struggle for gay rights in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report about five previously healthy homosexual men becoming infected with a rare type of pneumonia. By 1984, researchers had identified the cause of AIDS — the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV — and the Food and Drug Administration licensed the first commercial blood test for HIV in 1985. Two years later, the first antiretroviral medication for HIV, azidothymidine (AZT), became available. Gay rights proponents held the second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987. The occasion marked the first national coverage of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power), an advocacy group seeking to improve the lives of AIDS victims. Although the first people who got diagnosed with HIV-AIDS were homosexuals, they got the virus because of unprotected sex, as numerous other straight people later on, who did not want any association with the movement because of homophobic beliefs that exist to this day. The World Health Organization in 1988 declared December 1 to be World AIDS Day.

So what do queers have to do with skating?

Skateboarding has been thought to possess a certain alternative ‘potential’ to challenge prevalent inequalities in sport. However, skateboarding remains a largely hetero-masculine domain. As such, queer identities have been marginalised and relegated to a peripheral space. Nevertheless, radical scenes of young queer skateboarders are offering alternative definitions and possibilities for what it means to be a skateboarder and do skateboarding. Through Jack Halberstam’s concept of queer failure and José Esteban Muñoz’s queer futurity and utopianism, Bethany Geckle and Sally Shaw investigated in their research how queer skateboarders are tapping into a queer potential that persists in the practice and aesthetic of skateboarding through the symbolism of the child and camp. They use this potential to affirm their identities as simultaneously queer and skaters. In so doing, today’s young queer skateboarders are changing the landscape of skateboarding by queering and claiming space for themselves within the largely heteronormative dominant industry and culture.

Isolation is dangerous for the queer community in light of book bans, the Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth, and so forth, so it is crucial and vital to create networks and build active communities around the world, and definitely in the Athenian scene as well. As we have said many times, in FMS we aim to empower alternative forms of skateboarding, particularly girl skateboarding, which has only emerged in recent years in the local skate scene but also advocate for queers on wheels too. Over the past years we held various events that promoted women empowerment, both amongst our participants but also amongst the local skate scene and the number of girls who are skating in Athens has been increasing tremendously. This future includes also LGBTQ+ skaters, thus we are here to ensure they feel first of all welcome and safe while having fun on their board during our sessions.

To celebrate the pride month and the gay rights movement, this article apart from sharing historical information and advocating for the gender queer and non-traditional skaters within the Athenian skate scene, is also again an open call to join us on the 18th of June at 19.00 p.m. @Latraac Skate cafe, so we can have a free entrance skate jam and celebrate together. Bring your deck (and if you do not have one we will be providing boards along with pads), bring your friends, bring your pride and come spend some time with us.

Sources:
1. Stonewall Uprising https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/history-of-gay-rights
2. Gay Rights https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/history-of-gay-rights
3. Elman, Amy (Winter 1996–97). “Triangles and Tribulations: The Gay Appropriation of Nazi Symbols” https://www.troubleandstrife.org/issues/Issue34_FullScan.pdf
4. Failure and Futurity: The Transformative Potential of Queer Skateboarding https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1103308820945100
5. The queer community finds freedom on their wheels https://www.wusf.org/arts-culture/2023-03-10/queer-community-finds-freedom-on-their-wheels 

The post I Believe That Love Could Be My Sexual Orientation appeared first on Free Movement.

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It began in New York City on March 8, 1857, when female textile workers marched in protest of unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women. It was one of the first organised strikes by working women, during which they called for a shorter work day and decent wages. Now, compare this date to the date that women in Greece won the legal right to vote and to be elected, in May 1952 and you have almost one century passing by (!).

Femininity and masculinity as concepts, universally were never ever equal. Although gender and sexual rights are human rights, they are not respected most of the time and in most societies. Greece has had an anti-racism law established in 2014, however this law has rarely been implemented ever since. There is also legal recognition of gender identity, but it is a difficult and quite expensive route for a person, in order to be able to choose how they wish to be identified on their legal documents. On the night of 15/2/24 the Greek parliament finally legalised same-sex marriage and equal parental rights for same-sex couples, making Greece the first Christian Orthodox country for same-sex couples to have the right to get officially married, despite the great opposition from the Orthodox Church.  

Although it is a huge surprise for Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government to pass a law like that, some of us still remember that he is the politician who in previous years was referring to trans people as “individuals who go to Imitos hill and speak with aliens in order to change their gender” inside the Greek Parliament, implying that trans people are mentally unstable. Consequently, it is not surprising at all that trans people are not included in this bill. They still cannot get married, they still do not have parental rights, and they remain one of the most marginalised groups globally. 

Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that same-sex marriage is a matter of equal rights adding that there should be no “second class citizens” or “children of a lesser God”, so this homonormative decision leaves us sceptical and reminds us of the social prejudice and stigma that still exists. So until the state considers the lives of all of us equal, let us start practising concepts like that of inclusion with each other.

Well you skate like a girl though…

But back to our domain. Many might think that as girls and/or queer people who work with FMS, skater girls and non-traditional skaters, we carry that identity as a badge of badass-ness. Engaging in traditionally male-dominated activities such as skateboarding, might be tough at the beginning but it can empower girls and genderqueer individuals as well by breaking down gender stereotypes and fostering a sense of independence, autonomy, and social interaction. There have been pro women skateboarders since the 1960s going against those stereotypes. Patti McGee, Peggy Oki, Leticia Buffoni, Lizzie Armanto, Cara-Beth Burnside, Jaime Reyes, Maria Duran, Nora Vasconcellos and so forth, are a few to name. But let’s be real, if you ask a male skater to name a few legends, would any of these names pop into his mind?

Well probably no. As it happens in any other profession, activity or hobby, it is an unwritten law to accept  our male colleagues or partners as better than our female ones most of the time. But bear in mind, that this is not a lack of skills from the gals, but a lack of privilege. The patriarchal system that we are under, leads to the marginalisation and subordination of women in various aspects of life, such as politics, economics, and culture. In a patriarchal society, traditional gender roles and norms are reinforced, and men typically hold positions of power and dominance.

Critics of patriarchy argue that it perpetuates gender inequality, restricts the opportunities and freedoms of women, and reinforces harmful stereotypes about gender roles. Efforts to challenge and dismantle patriarchy often involve advocating for gender equality, challenging discriminatory practices, and promoting social, economic, and political opportunities for all genders.

Luckily, girls won’t stop fighting and last year’s FMS report notes increased participation of girls in our skate sessions whilst recent studies around the world also confirm increased numbers of women in skating. Skateboarding involves a community aspect. Joining skateboarding groups or making friends at skate parks can provide a sense of belonging and social support, contributing to overall well-being, something we see in action by working with FMS. Skateboarding is a mindful exercise, in which focus is necessary to learn new tricks, championing physical and mental health. With FMS we aim to create spaces in which girls and women, people of colour, refugee, migrant and Roma communities, LGBTQI+ and other groups feel safe to develop their skills on and off the board. Through the supportive, communal act of skateboarding, diverse youth share more than just space and build community.

However, it is important to note that individual experiences vary, and not every girl and gender non-conforming person find the same level of benefit from activities that are dominated by cis male individuals, especially during non-organised skate sessions. Being a female and/or a queer individual trying to penetrate the skateboarding scene in Athens on your own, can become really difficult.

Claiming space

Skateboarding means that skaters have to claim their space in society and by doing exactly this more visibility is a given. Since you have to roll the streets and visit public open spaces and skateparks in order to skate, people can see you do what you love, and this by itself can raise different questions; good ones and bad ones. Many might be sceptical, others can be dicks, but most importantly, this act of a non-traditional skater claiming space may lead to a more positive and open way of thinking about the community that we actually want to create, and that is the only thing that we should have in mind, throwing those other negative words and actions into the dumpster where they belong.

Notions that confront traditional structures of the society and gender roles, express exactly our standpoint within the cis-male dominated skateboarding scene. Girl, genderqueer and non-traditional skaters, feminist individuals who want to support and help create an inclusive skate scene, are our allies in these community-building efforts to challenge discrimination and promote equality with an intersectional approach.

Non-traditional skaters, where are you?

Subsequently, it is essential for us to create a network and build an active community with other skaters who are considered to be “abnormal”, “weird”, “not cool”, “crazy”, “edgy” and so forth. In FMS we aim to empower alternative forms of skateboarding, particularly girl skateboarding, which has only emerged in recent years in the local skate scene. We have worked on hosting girl skate jams and promoting alternative skateboarding to have a place in skate contests and events, as well as equal prize money. Over the past years we held various events that promoted women empowerment, both amongst our participants but also amongst the local skate scene too. The number of girls who are skating in Athens has been increasing, and we are here to ensure they feel safe and are having fun on their board.

But as this day of the year has come again, we also want to ensure that are voices are getting heard and that our presence is strong, so this article apart from advocating for the girl, gender queer and non-traditional skaters within the Athenian skate scene, is also an open call to join us on the 8th of March at 18.00 p.m. at Propylaia, so we can march together. Afterwards we can spend some time collectively having some drinks and beverages at ‘Ministry of Concrete‘. See you on the streets!

The post They told us we were girls, so we claimed our female lives appeared first on Free Movement.

On the week of our 6th birthday, after 900 sessions of pushing social cohesion, empowerment and wellbeing for young Athenians through skateboarding, Free Movement Skateboarding have received recognition from the highest level – an EU Be Inclusive award for Breaking Barrier in Sport. From 97 applications, judges stated that the MKO won the award due to its innovative, access-focussed approach, bringing sport to the people who need it most from our van-based mobile skatepark. 

For us, it’s a real honour for us to receive this recognition from such a high level. For six years we’ve been out in public spaces, refugee camps and schools 5 days a week, working with young people in the city who really need it – almost 3000 of them since we started – this award is for them. 

Denia Kopita, instructor and communications lead made us proud as she took the mic at the award ceremony, saying that ‘this award is for the girls who are discriminated against in skateboarding, for those who feel they can not pick up sports, to empower themselves and not feel intimidated. Free Movement Skateboarding are pushing this change as seen in our participation statistics, with 39% girls and women involved. We also see this in the behaviour of boys and men in our sessions and the Greek skate scene at large.’

The EU Sport Forum took place in Stockholm on the 2nd and 3rd of May, featuring the Be Inclusive award ceremony alongside providing a platform for crucial conversations around gender equality, integrity and good governance in sport.

Watch Will and Denia receive the award here: https://youtu.be/bpebUI4AXR0

EU article on the winners: https://sport.ec.europa.eu/news/meet-the-winners-of-the-beinclusive-eu-sport-awards-2022

The post We won an EU Sport Award! appeared first on Free Movement.

From skate instructors to fundraising managers, our team consists of a brilliant group of people, with different skills, background and stories. One of them is Denia Kopita! Denia is one of our skate instructors and super passionate about making the Athenian women’s skateboarding scene bigger and more inclusive by organising events and meetups. She’s also a member of our core team, responsible for the collaborations and communications of Free Movement!

When and why did you start skating?
I started skating around the age of 18, after I finished school. I’ve always been fascinated by it but never found the courage to do it. Actually, I had bought a skateboard when I was 13 but I didn’t know anyone who was skating back then, so I ended up selling it to buy myself a guitar. Once I finished school and before I moved to London for studies, I got a board and it’s been a hell of a journey ever since!

What’s your favourite thing about skateboarding?
Many things actually! One is the feeling of freedom it gives you when you ride. Also all the people you meet through skating. You all share the same passion and this creates such a strong bond between you. Some of my best friends I’ve met through skateboarding. And lastly, the opportunities and experiences you get through skating that you wouldn’t be getting if it wasn’t for it; jobs, travelling, developing various skills… I could go on forever!

Why did you decide to work with FMS, and what exactly do you do?
The representation of female skate instructors is something very important for Free Movement as there are many young girls coming to our sessions, that’s what initially brought me to FMS. I’ve been working here for almost 3 years now, having started as a sessional instructor, to part-time member and then full-time core team member. Now, apart from a skate instructor I’m also responsible about the communications, as well as the collaborations that we have with various brands. Since I’m passionate about women empowerment, I also organise girls events and meetups, and working hard to make the women’s skate scene a lot bigger and a safe space for everyone. This brings me so much joy!

What’s your current setup?
My current set up is a 8.25 Passport board, Indy trucks and Spitfire Formula Four 53mm wheels.

What do you do apart from working for FMS?
I love to hike, play football and take film photos!

Favourite place you’ve skated?
All the skateparks and spots in Copenhagen, Denmark!

The post GET TO KNOW US: Denia Kopita appeared first on Free Movement.

From skate instructors to fundraising managers, our team consists of a brilliant group of people, with different skills, background and stories. One of them is Christos Seferlis! A jack-of-all-trades when it comes to board sports, Christos is one of our instructors and a top-tier skater. If you haven’t checked the previous article with Erato, check it out here.

When and why did you start skating?
I started skating at the age of 8 years old. Well, I got my hands on a skateboard for the first time through my big brother. My dad bought him a board and I stole it from him immediately. Got my first ollie that day too. From that point and after, I never stopped.

What’s your favourite thing about skateboarding?
My favourite thing is to just take my board and go for a ride, empty my head and enjoy the moment. At the end of the day, it’s always about those simple moments.

Why did you decide to work with FMS, and what exactly do you do?
I’ve been studying and teaching board sports for several years, so it was a good opportunity to get involved into skating and be part of a wonderful cause.

What’s your current setup?
My current set up is a 8.25 board, 145 trucks and 52 wheels

What do you do apart from working for FMS?
I’m studying physical education and sports management.

Favourite place you’ve skated?
Pipeline skatepark in Hawaii.

The post GET TO KNOW US: Christos Seferlis appeared first on Free Movement.

From skate instructors to fundraising managers, our team consists of a brilliant group of people, with different skills, background and stories. Our amazing skate instructor, Erato Chatira is the person we’re going to be focusing today. If you haven’t checked the first blog of of the “Get To Know Us” series, check it out here.

When and why did you start skating?
I started skating in 2017, because I was looking for something different in that period of my life, a way to escape from my mind and explore new ways of moving.

What’s your favourite thing about skateboarding?
One of my favorite things in skateboarding is the feeling of being present when you are doing a trick and the process of achieving that!

Why did you decide to work with FMS, and what exactly do you do?
I decided to work with FMS because since I was a child I wanted to help other people in a more fun and creative way. I think skating is exactly that! In Free Movement I work as a skate instructor and I am one of the van drivers.

What’s your current setup?
My current set up is a Lover skateboard, independent trucks and spitfire wheels!

What do you do apart from working for FMS?
Apart from FMS I am working as a dental technician, I do contemporary dancing and I am hoping to create an eco friendly clothing brand!

Favourite place you’ve skated?
Royal Oak Skatepark in London!

The post GET TO KNOW US: Erato Chatira appeared first on Free Movement.