As skate park opens, business with classes, camps expands

The skate scene appears to be growing in Sioux Falls.

As the first skaters try out Barb Iverson Skate Plaza, one business that supports the sport is expanding.

The Siouxer, owned by partners DJ Paronto and Laura Lutz, has been busy this summer with renovations, skate camp and skate classes.

The Siouxer is a skate shop and group youth lessons business at 201 N. Harlem Ave. that opened last summer and recently expanded its space by 1,800 square feet.

“We opened up a wall, and we’re looking to bring in more street skate obstacles,” Lutz said. “It will be great this winter when people are looking for a place to skate.”

Lutz said the addition will allow for more skate classes and open skate times.

The Siouxer also has skateboard accessories, including trucks, hardware, wheels and apparel, Lutz said. Business hours fluctuate over the summer because of camp hours and are posted on social media.

“We are working with Jammin Jay from Minneapolis to help with the new addition,” Lutz said. “Jammin Jay is known for building indoor skate parks in the Midwest, and he will be helping us make a full bowl.”

Lutz said a business goal is to provide quality items to be a specialty shop.

In addition to the renovation, summer skate camps are in full swing.

Camp is during the day, and classes frequently are offered Monday through Thursday nights.

“We recently started programming with the Y,” Lutz said. “Kids come in, we teach them how to skate, and (we) also push a lot of art.”

Lutz said the Y brings groups of kids to The Siouxer on Wednesdays, and every other week, Camp Tepeetonka brings campers to The Siouxer.

“Often, I talk to the kids about skating, get some of them going, and I have a friend who talks to them about the arts,” Lutz said. “We’ve found art and skating go hand and hand, and it’s very important to us to help people make this connection.”

The Siouxer also has worked with many local artists to help bring the art influence to its students.

“We have a great community of people working with us to contribute to that,” Lutz said. “Different skate cultures might have more of a music influence; we try to push the art thinking aspect.”

Paronto influences many of their students in terms of art, Lutz said.

“Skateboarding is an expression of one’s self,” Paronto said. “In terms of art, just grabbing some materials and making something is an expression of yourself too.”

Paronto said crafting, weaving and painting intermixed into the classes are good in-between activities to keep the creativity flowing in the group setting.

In September, The Siouxer will host Star Fest, an 18-and-older event with three bands playing at the venue. Lutz said that throughout the winter, the hope is to hold more shows.

“Youth are so important to us here,” Lutz said. “We want to build confidence and help individuals be comfortable growing.”