While Trey Curry, 11, snapped a quick ollie on the east side of the Largo Skate Park, his little brother, Ryder Curry, 8, stood at the top of a half-pipe, concentrating on his launch.
Their buddy, Jose Maisonet, 12, got lots of air as he came off the end of a ramp.
Skateboarding is just cool and fun, Jose said. But, on a serious note, these fellas, who were visiting Largo from Tampa on Saturday night, always keep their helmets on.
"It's automatic,'' Jose said. "If you don't wear a helmet, you'd get hurt. All skateboarders around the world should wear a helmet.''
Unfortunately, not everyone agrees.
To help promote skateboard safety on National Go Skate Day, the Ian Tilmann Foundation will host the Ian Tilmann Memorial Jam on Sunday at Largo Skate Park.
In 2005, Ian Tilmann, a 28-year-old who grew up in Safety Harbor, was not wearing a helmet when he lost control of his skateboard on the stretch of Hercules Avenue known as Cemetery Hill. He fell headfirst onto the road.
Within 10 days of the accident, his parents were forced to say goodbye to the former Marine as he was taken off life support at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. The cause of death: a fatal brain injury.
"Ian didn't think it was cool to wear a helmet,'' said Marcy Tilmann, his mother.
As they grieved and within six months of their son's death, Marcy and Barry Tilmann decided to set up a nonprofit organization designed to give skateboarders access to safe skateboarding.
The Ian Tilmann Foundation's "Helmet for a Promise'' gives every skateboarder who pledges to wear one at all times a free helmet, which retails up to $50.
"Our philosophy is to give every skateboarder the personal choice to wear a helmet," Barry Tilmann said.
The Tilmanns will be at Largo Skate Park on Sunday.
"We'll be there with our measuring tapes, measuring heads,'' Marcy Tilmann said. "So far, my youngest skater who has registered is 3, and my oldest is 60.''
In the last three years, the Ian Tilmann Foundation has distributed more than 1,700 free helmets.
"I wish I could say the situation is improving, but new skaters come along every day, and it's a challenge to get them wearing helmets,'' Marcy Tilmann said. "That being said, I do think we're making more people aware because of what we are doing.''
Piper Castillo is reachable at pcastillo@sptimes.com.
The event
What: The Ian Tilmann Memorial Jam, in conjunction with National Go Skate Day.
The program will include contests, live music, raffles and concessions. Proceeds benefit the Ian Tilmann Foundation.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Largo Skate Park, 400 Highland Ave. NE
For more information: Call Mandy Petersen at (727) 518-3021.
To learn more about the Ian Tilmann Foundation: Visit theiantilmannfoundation.org or the Ian Tilmann Foundation page on myspace.com .
By the numbers
20 Approximate number of volunteers serving the Ian Tilmann Foundation.
$35,000 Approximate operating cost for the Ian Tilmann Foundation since its inception November 2006.
750 Number of visitors to Largo Skate Park so far in 2009.
75 Approximate number of helmets distributed to Largo residents by the foundation.
1,700Approximate number of helmets distributed by the Ian Tilmann Foundation since 2006.
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