MEET THE COACHES
SKATEBOARDING FOR FUN
COACH
MAT CHIGWIDDEN
MAT CHIGWIDDEN IS THE PROUD AND PASSIONATE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF CHIGGY’S SKATEBOARDING. HE IS A PROFESSIONAL SKATEBOARD COACH AND HAS BEEN OPERATING CHIGGY’S SKATEBOARDING SINCE 2013
“I started skateboarding in 1999. My family and I grew up on the Central Coast in New South Wales and I began to skate at the local park The Entrance. We moved to Coolum on the Sunshine Coast in 2003 and my parents built a house on the property about 10 minutes from my new local Coolum Skate Park. A couple of years later, I was lucky enough to score a 14ft vert ramp from Billabong, used for demos around Australia. Looking back, I am so grateful; it would be every young skateboarder’s dream to have that wooden masterpiece right in your own backyard. Skateboarding has been my biggest passion for as long as I can remember and I have been lucky enough to have travelled the country and overseas skateboarding for fun and competing with enormous support from my sponsors, fellow skaters, family, partner and friends. Skateboarding has given me the most awesome opportunities to meet the coolest people and have the best time just skateboarding together.”
COACH
HAYDEN HOWSE
Hey my name is Hayden Howse or Howsey.
My skateboarding journey started 20 years ago and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made!
Apart from being a healthy outlet for me, it has also given me everything I have, from lifelong friendships, endless memories and heaps of job opportunities.
Mat (Chiggy) and I grew up going on skate trips up and down the coast and those times for me were some of the best days of my life.
It’s an absolute privilege now as a skate couch to be able to give back and share that stoke of skateboarding with the next generation…. its honestly the best feeling in the world!
COACH
KAI TOLHURST
Hi my name is Kai, but most call me Kaiser.
Dad introduced me to skateboarding before I could even walk or talk and since then it has been the centre-point of my life.
My favourite thing about skating is how great the community is, and that no matter where I have been throughout Australia or overseas I have instantly found friends I can connect with and share the love of skateboarding.
One of the best feelings in the world is persisting at a new trick, sometimes for weeks, to finally have your hard work pay off and feel yourself rolling away, that never gets old. Better still is having a bunch of friends around to share the hype, and even better than that, is watching your friends experience that same feeling.
I hope to share the whole experience that is skateboarding with everyone, because it’s been the greatest source of enjoyment in my life since day one. And I want more people to feel that!
COACH
Luke Benson
Hey, My name is Luke Benson. I was born and grew up in England.
I’ve been skating since I can remember, it’s one of my biggest passions besides surfing and playing music. I feel very lucky to have skating to be a part of my life, it’s taken me all over the world and I’ve got to meet such great people from it.
I’m incredibly excited and blessed to be welcomed into the Chiggy’s Skateboarding family and can’t wait to share my skateboarding knowledge and passion with you. Yewww !
COACH
MADDOX O’REILLY
Hi, my name is Maddox. I’m 16 years old and have been skating for 6 years now.
The best thing about skating to me is the feeling of landing a new trick. Nothing compares to rolling away from a trick you have been trying for weeks or have been too scared to try. The stoke and hype is unmatched.
I first started skating when I was 10 because my dad got me a board. Skateboarding is the centre point of my life and is the best thing I have ever came across. I have been so lucky to meet so many amazing people through skateboarding who all share the same love for skateboarding as myself.
I’m super hyped to now be a part of the Chiggy’s Skateboarding family! Looking forward to meeting all of you and sharing my love and passion for skateboarding with all of you!!
COACH
NELSON MARKETO
Hey my name is Nelson Marketo, but you guys can call me Nelo!
I’ve been skating on and off for the past 14 years and was originally introduced to skateboarding by Chiggy when I was a grommet.
I’ve been lucky enough to travel to different parts of the world on skateboarding adventures and have met plenty of legends from different countries along the way.
I love being active and have always been involved in team sports whether I was playing or coaching. But I would say the skateboarding culture is the coolest and most inclusive by far. No matter your age, gender, shape, colour or skill level. If you’re truly a skateboarder you know it’s all about encouraging each other and having a good time!
I’m super keen to be apart of the Chiggy’s Skateboarding family. Looking forward to sharing my 14 years of knowledge with the younger generation and letting the good times roll!
COACH
VINCE YOUNG
I first started skateboarding 20 odd years ago.
After seeing a family friend riding a skateboard I begged my mum for one for my birthday!
After a few days at the local skatepark, I began to meet new kids that have gone on to become life-long friends. We have spent decades skateboarding, learning life and making great memories together.
That’s what’s so special about skateboarding. It’s not just that it’s the most fun thing to do any day of the week, it’s the community that comes with it. The support, the love and the care everybody within skateboarding shows towards each other regardless of age, ability, gender or race it’s all good vibes.
I’ve spent the past decade coaching surfing and now feel so excited to be a part of the Chiggys Skateboarding team to share my passion for skateboarding with you all!
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT US
TESTIMONIALS
Jo Campbell
Principal
Silver Lining School Ficks Crossing
Chiggy’s delivered skateboarding lessons to more than 250 young people across the South Burnett in August and September 2023. These skateboarding workshops provided kids from Wondai, Cherbourg, Murgon, Nanango, Kingaroy, Blackbutt and Yarraman an opportunity to learn a new skill, gain more confidence and meet new friends. Dozens of parents told us they were grateful to have an activity to take their kids to over the school holidays that didn’t involve looking at a screen or device.
South Burnett skate parks have unfortunately become a bit of a negative place to hang out and get up to mischief, so it was really constructive to have the boys from Chiggy’s down there being positive role models for the young people to look up to and emulate.
Several parents said they loved how gentle and welcoming and friendly the team from Chiggy’s were. A lot of young people are too intimidated to come down to the youth park but the boys from Chiggy’s made everyone feel like they belonged and even the shyest young people eventually warmed up and came out of their shell by the end of the workshop.
Skateboarding is a healthy and positive way for young people to socialise and exercise. By getting out and changing the community’s mindset around skate parks and skateboarding Chiggy’s is giving young people the skills and confidence to use their skate parks for good – rather than antisocial behaviour.
John Goodall
Balonne Shire Council
Balonne Shire Council was extremely grateful for the time you took in returning to our little oasis in Outback Queensland, to spread the word about skateboard culture and what it does for an individual’s mental health and social well-being.
It was a pleasure to partner with you yet again, to get the message out about skate boardings place for young children and how it plays a part in overcoming adversity.
We look forward to continuing our association with Chiggy’s Skateboarding, but more importantly to Mat Chigwidden's teams next visit in 2024.
Kate McCormack
South Burnett Program officer
Chiggy’s delivered skateboarding lessons to more than 250 young people across the South Burnett in August and September 2023. These skateboarding workshops provided kids from Wondai, Cherbourg, Murgon, Nanango, Kingaroy, Blackbutt and Yarraman an opportunity to learn a new skill, gain more confidence and meet new friends. Dozens of parents told us they were grateful to have an activity to take their kids to over the school holidays that didn’t involve looking at a screen or device.
South Burnett skate parks have unfortunately become a bit of a negative place to hang out and get up to mischief, so it was really constructive to have the boys from Chiggy’s down there being positive role models for the young people to look up to and emulate.
Several parents said they loved how gentle and welcoming and friendly the team from Chiggy’s were. A lot of young people are too intimidated to come down to the youth park but the boys from Chiggy’s made everyone feel like they belonged and even the shyest young people eventually warmed up and came out of their shell by the end of the workshop.
Skateboarding is a healthy and positive way for young people to socialise and exercise. By getting out and changing the community’s mindset around skate parks and skateboarding Chiggy’s is giving young people the skills and confidence to use their skate parks for good – rather than antisocial behaviour.
Zac Jones
Head of Sport
St Andrew’s Anglican College
St. Andrew’s Anglican College has partnered with Chiggy’s Skateboarding for two years now and has been nothing short of amazing. With nearly 100 students now taken part in the program the benefits have been outstanding for our students.
The highly qualified coaches have a genuine care and connection with the students and make them feel valued and seen. From the simple things of remembering every student’s name and high fives to helping them learn kick turns to kick flips, the coach’s expertise and relationships with the students are incredible.
We’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that skateboarding can have not only on a student’s development of their coordination and motor skills but also their social and communication skills. We’ve had feedback from families and teachers about their child/student’s improvement in confidence and resilience and also improvement of focus in class.
Learning to skateboard with Chiggy’s Skateboarding has given our students a safe and supportive environment to learn new physical skills and new life skills that you just can’t get anywhere else.
Sam FitzGerald
Head of Sport
Good Shepherd Lutheran College
Chiggy’s Skateboarding has been a game-changer for our 1, 2, 3 Sport Program at Good Shepherd Lutheran College. The impact of skateboarding on our students has been nothing short of remarkable. Matt, Luke, and Vince from the Chiggy’s team did an outstanding job in engaging our students while including essential life skills through the sport of skateboarding.
There has been numerous benefits to including Skateboarding into our 1 ,2 ,3 Sport Program. Skateboarding not only promotes physical fitness and coordination but also instils discipline, focus, and resilience in our young participants. Our students have also shown tremendous growth in self-confidence and problem-solving skills.
We are incredibly grateful to Chiggy’s and their dedicated team for making our program a huge success. We highly recommend Chiggy’s to anyone looking to empower and engage young minds through the sport of skateboarding.
We are incredibly grateful to Chiggy’s and their dedicated team for making our program a huge success. We highly recommend Chiggy’s to anyone looking to empower and engage young minds through the sport of skateboarding.
Leah Potma
Between my two eldest boys we have been doing lessons with chiggy for about 2 years. They absolutely love him and look forward to their lessons every week. He has always provided such a positive and safe space for them to further their skills, make friends and most importantly HAVE FUN!! I’m amazed at how quickly the boys have gained new skills and confidence with his positive encouragement.
Chiggy, you have a wonderful way of teaching and we will continue to support your business!”
Paul & Ange Byers
Lukas has been training with Chiggy now for a couple of years and has worked his way up to the Advanced class.
Chiggy makes the lessons really fun & is great with all the kids.
He challenges them to learn a new trick each week & is really encouraging.
Also, the day Tours & Camps are epic!!
Serena Collins
Our son first met Chiggy on one of his Skate camps a few years back. He had the best time and learnt so much and so many new friends, this was also where his love for skateboarding grew even more. Chiggy is someone who our son definitely looks up to and I love that he always has the time and patience with the kids no matter their age and pushes and encourages them when they need it. I would definitely recommend any of Chiggy’s day tours, skate camps and skate lessons to anyone who has a child that is wanting to get into skateboarding or even progress to the next level.
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