Help Coach Mank Heal —

If you’ve ever been to Volcom Skate Park or at one of our after-school programs, you’ve likely heard Coach Mank before you saw him — the unapologetically loudest voice on the concrete, shrieking out encouragements at the very top of his lungs, coaching children through their fear. That’s Coach Mank. And then you see him — kneeling beside a child, adjusting their stance, talking them through a drop-in with the patience of someone who truly believes in the magic of what a child can do when they feel safe, supported, and seen.

He lives for these kids.

Coaching isn’t something Mank does — it’s who he is. Every single day, his heart is focused on one thing: how to help children find joy through skating. That’s his mission. That’s his devotion. And if you’ve ever watched him work, you know — he gives everything. His time, his energy, his entire soul.

When I first met Mank, he was out at the skatepark every single day — not always for a paycheck, not for praise, but just out of pure love — teaching kids to skate for free. He gives himself, day after day, to every child who shows up, asking for nothing in return but the sound of wheels rolling and laughter echoing.

He’s the kind of coach who shows up on his day off.

Who stays late because one of our students is so close to landing their first kick-turn and he can’t bear to leave them hanging on the edge of their first big moment.

He is the kind of man who cries after sessions — truly cries — when a child who once said “I can’t” finally does. And he calls to tell me about it, so fulfilled by helping each student.

To say that his whole livelihood is centered on bringing kids joy would be an understatement. It is his life’s purpose. It’s the way he loves.

Recently, our beloved Coach Mank suffered a stroke during one of our after-school programs and as the paramedics were loading him into the ambulance, he was selflessly apologizing in fear that he was scaring the kids and feeling like he let them down.

While he is thankfully recovering, the road ahead is steep and filled with uncertainty. And now — for once — Mank is the one who needs a village.

As the Skate Coastal family, we feel deeply called to step up and support the man who has shown up for all of us time and time again. The one who taught our kids not just how to skate, but how to trust themselves. How to fall and get back up. How to be brave.

If you feel moved to help, we are humbly asking for donations toward his recovery and medical care. Even a few dollars makes a difference. Even a share of this message spreads the love. If you can give, give. If you can send a prayer, send it.

This is our moment to do for Mank what he’s done for us a thousand times over.

Let’s remind him:

You are not alone.

You are loved.

And we’ve got you — wheels, heart, soul and all.

Thank you,

The Skate Coastal Team