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Pia Koenig
founder & project manager
Hey, I'm Pia! I'm a studied psychologist and sports scientist from Germany. For 10 years I have been living in my home of choice, Innsbruck, Austria.
I founded SKAID in spring 2017 when I had spent some time abroad, finished my studies and couldn't make excuses for not taking action in the refugee crisis anymore . I had been thinking about starting a project but didn't quite know how and at first didn't find people with the same motivation ("no time, no need").
I finally found the courage to start the project on my own and am now very very happy to have found lots of support by the local skate community and a team that is skilled, funny and above all kind hearted from top to toe.
As I watch our young participants improve I really get the impression that SKAID will help them to find their place in our society and will contribute to their growing into self-confident adults.
My wish is that they will be able to identify with something else than just cultural background or nationality and that through that shared identity and passion they will find friends anywhere in the world they might go in the future.
Tun Kintzele
trainer, graphic design, good soul since the very beginning
Hi, I am Tun, one of the trainers at SKAID. I have been skateboarding for about 18 years now, i can‘t remember for sure. The only thing i am sure about though is that I loved skateboarding since day one and could not let it go. It is a fun sport with lots of room for creative self expression.
That‘s something I always wanted to share. A lot of the kids that I train now never stood on a skateboard before they came to Innsbruck, and now they explore the city with a board under their feet nearly on a daily basis. That also makes me a proud trainer! Besides skateboarding i am working as an architect in Innsbruck.
Josefa Friedel
project coordinator Skaid Climb
Hey, I'm Josefa, 33 years old and I've been living in Innsbruck since 2017.
I'm working on becoming an art therapist and live and social counselor. Since spring 2021 I'm part of the
SKAID team. I'm supporting Pia doing the project coordination for Skaid and helping in the organization
of our projects. In summer 2022, I planned and organized the project SKART, which is combining art therapy and therapeutic skateboarding.
I'm a colourful and open person, always interested in new experiences and educations.
My motivation to become part of the project is the belief that sport is a strong method to connect people from
different backgrounds. I think all sports should be available for everybody, no matter what their life looks like.
I love being outside in the mountains, go climbing, take risks and overcome my fears. Those are experiences that
help so much in building up self-esteem and a positive view on life. I want to share this experiences with the
young people. It makes me happy to see our participants having fun climbing and watch them evolve!
Anna-Katharina Strigl
trainer, organizational support
Holaaaaa, my name is Locke and if I'm not pushing on my skateboard through Innsbruck, you can
find me giving skaid classes or organizing stuff in our office. I finished my bachelor in economics health
and sports and am currently studying sociology. I got into skateboarding in 2017 and can't get enough
of it. My absolute dream trick would be a FS smith grind...working on that haha.
What I love most about skateboarding is that you can see cities like huge playgrounds and see new obstacles on every corner. And the community of course.
Osama Alghalaini
trainer
Hi, I am Osama one among other skaters who were introduced to skateboarding through Skaid and its efforts to bring the youth in Innsbruck to an amazing and diverse community of skaters. As you see now I made it so far and I am a skateboarding instructor. I am originally from Syria ( like a lot of participants in Skaid, we have similar background) currently studying in High school and paving my way into university. I believe that, the set of skills I acquired, thanks to the project, extend far beyond the idea of a qualified trainer who just skateboard and help others accomplish the same, but it reaches a social integration in an unknown and rather unfamiliar culture. Our purpose in Skaid is to help everyone to take that little, yet important step, to go out there and seize the opportunity laying before them.
Anton von Schwichow
trainer
Hey, my Name is Anton, I´m 27 years old. I´m studying Digital Work and I work as a Skatecoach for Skaid. I really enjoy the Sessions. Skateboarding means a lot to me. It gives me the opportunity to express myself and to connect to other people in a very easy way. Seeing the dedication of the participants and sharing the love for skateboarding is just such a good thing to do. It´s nice to help them to overcome their fears and see them progressing. Another great thing that I enjoy is that we really have a supportive vibe during the sessions. Everyone is helping and motivating the others.
Anna Lusser
trainer
Why do I skate? Because for me, it means freedom. The freedom to turn your head off, to be alone or in a group, the freedom to be the person you are and the freedom to explore your own creativity and limits.
Best of all, you don't need anything except a board and a bunch of patience and the rest comes by itself!
Skaid stands for all these things and that is why I am very proud to be part of it!
Dora Pickl
trainer, organizational support
My name is Dora and I joined Skaid in 2020.I have a bachelor's degree in social work and currently work in the refugee and migration sector. When I'm not working, I'm skating. Because it's a good balance, challenges me, lets me be creative and simply because it's fun. Sharing this with others at Skaid gives me a lot back. When someone outgrows themselves, you simply rejoice with them.
