‘I am proud that we are providing this unique experience for those living with disabilities.’
Andrew Garcia
Ability Skateboarding
May 2026
Can you tell us something about Texas that no one knows?
No secret but don’t buy breakfast tacos north of San Antonio.
What triggered the idea to start Ability Skateboarding?
I’ve skateboarded my whole life and love action sports. Most of my professional work has been in the adaptive sports field. I have worked for different organizations that offer robust adaptive programming but none of them seemed interested in running skateboarding programs when I suggested it. So, I decided to fill this void in services myself.
On your website it says that you are networking with different organizations and cities to bring adaptive skateboarding clinics directly to them. What is it that you want from them?
When we partner with organizations and cities, we are seeking a few things but vary by partnership. If it’s a non-profit that offers disability programs or sports, we ask to offer adaptive skateboarding clinics directly to their participants. We may ask cities for sanctioned skatepark space or to run the clinic for their parks and recreation department. Ideally, we want to work with others because together we can do more than when work alone.
What is the biggest challenge running Ability SB?
Funding the programs. We are skaters, we do not run in corporate circles or know people who are affluent or have influence. Things are slowly changing as people learn about the programs and mission. Fingers crossed for the funding to become more steady in 2025.
How much do money do you require at a minimum to keep going?
We have an operating cost of $25k with no paid staff. The leadership is all volunteer based.
Are there any other organisations you follow that do the same/similar
thing?
There are a handful of organizations on the planet that offer some form of adaptive skateboarding. A few examples are Skate Anima (Brasil), Adaptive Sports Foundation (New York), Adaptive Action Sports (Colorado), Kinetic Kids (Texas) and ASkate Foundation (National).
‘A dad in Houston helped us create the dual-cane board and cane-walker board.’
Who comes up with all the special skateboard setups? Some of them look like rocket science. Is there an actual company that does that or is it all DIY?
A dad in Houston helped us create the dual-cane board and cane-walker board. We met him at Banger in the Hanger while promoting our programs. His son had Cerebral Palsy, so he wanted to help us. From there me and the cofounder created better versions of the originals. We are working to get professional canes created instead of diy.
Here is an image of a guy working on a wheelchair. What is the story behind that?
The fabricator in the wheelchair is Tom Finch. He is an engineer out of California that makes WCMX (wheelchair motocross) wheelchairs. He is one of 5 or less fabricators of the wcmx chairs. Some of the videos and images of kids riding in chairs is his creation. The top wcmx athletes in the world ride his chairs. He is also the one who will be building our canes and is also creating us a version of this link attached for the more involved participants. Skate Anima Adaptive Device.
‘We are skaters, we do not run in corporate circles or know people who are affluent or have influence.’
What is the Texas skate community most proud of?
I cannot answer for the state but I am proud that we are providing this unique experience for those living with disabilities.
Who do you consider the godfather and godmother of Texas skateboarding?
For us it’s Jon Comer. He didn’t let having a prosthetic leg hold him back from living life. He showed people with and without disabilities that anyone can be a part of the skateboarding community.
How about the godmother?
Jordan Santana, she is the first Texan and American woman to land a 540 McTwist. She definitely has helped pave the way in Texas for female skaters.
Last Question. If you could interview any person in the world?
I would interview D.B. Cooper. I love mystery and knowing how and why you would jump out of a plane for money. Seems like a conversation worth having.