OUR TEAM

Impact is run by staff, a Board of Directors, and a wide range of volunteers. Since its inception, Impact has been about community and working together to uplift others. To everyone who has helped along the way, we owe a debt of gratitude.

YASH PRESSWALLA

Founder, Executive Director

Yash has been involved in kids’ skateboard programming in various forms over the past decade. He began by working through the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation, where he ran an instructional program for children from 4 to 12 years old. In 2009, Yash and a partner established East York Skateboard Camp, which provided an opportunity to develop longer, more in-depth programs. It wasn’t until late 2016 that Impact began to form. Through his years of experience with skateboard programming, Yash realized that there was a bigger picture, and that capturing the attention and imagination of youth at this crucial stage in their lives carried an opportunity to teach much more than just how to skate.

Impact is a new type of children’s program, whose aim is to empower youth and give them the tools to become confident, caring, healthy adults. Beyond mentoring, Impact seeks to pursue opportunities to bring its programs to those who need it most, especially those facing financial, cultural, or developmental barriers to more traditional sports. Through his background as a professional musician, music instructor, pre-school assistant teacher, and working with adults with special needs, Yash has a rich variety of approaches to all types of people, and his kind, thoughtful, patient manner as an instructor is evidence of his care and commitment.

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Achievements/Certificates:

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• Karate-Taekwondo: Black Belt (2nd degree), 2018

• Life Coach Certification, Expert Rating, 2017

• ISCP (International Skateboard Certification Program)/SKATZ Facilitator, 2017

• High Five: Principles of Healthy Child Development, 2017

• Self Confidence and Assertiveness Training, Renaissance Life Therapies, 2017

• Standard First Aid, 2017

• Police Vulnerable Sector Reference Check, 2017

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Practitioner Certificate, Acology, 2017

• Positive Youth Development Certificate, ACT Youth Center for Excellence, 2017

• Adapt & Create with Natural Learning Processes (Workshop), NLP Canada, 2015

• AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities), 2014

• York University, Bachelor of Fine Arts: Music, Spec. Honours, 2012

• City of Toronto: Parks and Recreation Volunteer Awards – Youth Group of the Year (Team EY), 2007

RYLAN SHAVER

Lead Instructor

After being a part of the Revolution family for 9 years, he had the opportunity to move to Toronto, where he became connected with many people in the skateboarding community and began volunteering for SkateLife, a skateboard outreach program. Through SkateLife he had the opportunity to go to Nanning, China, and helped to organize and run a skateboard camp.

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Rylan connected with Impact Skate Club in 2017, which has given him the opportunity to use his knowledge and passion for skateboarding as a way to connect with children and youth to help nurture creative problem-solving, self-respect, and the importance of community involvement. Rylan also helps run a skateboard program at St. Alban’s Boy’s and Girl’s Club, along with other sports programs.

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Achievements/Certificates:

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• Police Vulnerable Sector Reference Check, 2017

• Algonquin College, Business – Marketing, 2015

• SBC Skateboard “Recognize” Interview, 2014

• 2nd Place Volcom Stone’s “Wild in the Parks” Pro-Am Category, 2012

• Jack Edmunds Athletic Award, 2007

Rylan grew up in the town of Brockville, Ontario, and in his early years was involved with many different sports programs and activities. Around the age of twelve, he picked up his first skateboard. After the first few years of his skateboarding journey, he was asked to be a part of the Revolution (skate shop) skateboard team which led to a part-time job at Revolution. Soon after, Rylan helped to start Revolution Skateboard Camp and received a sponsorship from Fallen Footwear until it folded in 2016. Rylan is currently sponsored by ShakeJunt and Mehrathon Trading.

KALEN D.C.

Youth Leader

Kalen started skating at the age of 12, and immediately fell in love, skating every single day in front of his home. It soon became an outlet – a space free of judgement and expectation, where he could determine for himself how hard to to push himself. Skateboarding doesn’t require the approval of others, and Kalen discovered that he was highly motivated, and always inspired to progress. In just over 3 years he has become a force in the Toronto skate scene, and isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

In the summer of 2017, he started spending more time at the East York Skatepark, and with the Impact Skate Camp. He found that he had a lot to offer the younger skaters, so he volunteered and spent most of the summer as part of the Impact crew. Kalen continues to volunteer his time and skills, helping kids to learn the valuable lessons skateboarding has to teach, while always pushing his own skating to greater heights.

Though skateboarding is his primary activity, Kalen is a skilled athlete and a talented musician. His maturity and sharp sense of humour is tempered with patience and kindness toward everyone he meets.

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Achievements:

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• Victoria Park CI, Grade 10

• Steeplechase, 5th best time (Regionals), 2017

• 1st Place, So Hip x Evolve Skate Contest, 2016

• Milne Valley Middle School Merit Award, 2015