There’s something magic about watching a child drop in on their first ramp, paddle into a wave, or land a clunky ollie for the first time. It can be messy and unpredictable, which often worries parents, but it’s also where confidence gets built. We learn from trying again and again and bouncing back from falls or mistakes.

An article by H. Rosin a few years ago said that a preoccupation with safety has stripped childhood of independence, risk-taking, and discovery. Whether at school, home, or the playground, we keep on hearing “be careful.” In fact, research around risky play found that parental anxiety can become a barrier to children’s healthy emotional development, leading to higher levels of anxiety and lower self-esteem, in other words, “our fear of children being harmed by mostly harmless injuries may result in more fearful children” (Tierney, 2011).

In a 2020 study, on adventurous play as a protective factor for childhood anxiety (Dodd & Lester), researchers found that when children lead their own risky play, they begin to form an “adaptive coping template.” This means they learn to tolerate uncertainty and respond to it more comfortably — which builds emotional resilience and a growth mindset.

We get it, you want to give them space to grow — so where do you start? Does your child want to learn to skate or surf? Amazing. Not only does it give them a chance to take healthy risks and develop both mind and body, but it also connects them to a tribe, a place to belong, learn from others, feel inspired, and slowly build their own identity one trick at a time.

First things first: what is a grom?

The word “grom” (short for grommet) originally came out of Australian surf culture — a nickname for young surfers just starting out. It wasn’t always a compliment, but groms flipped the script. Now, it’s a badge of honour: young, bold, and not afraid to wipe out in front of a crowd.

At Dopamine, we use it for every child or tween who rides their own wave — skate, surf, snow, or street. Groms aren’t defined by sport. They’re defined by attitude: brave enough to fall, stoked enough to get back up.

How do you raise one?

You don’t need to be a pro skater or surfer to raise one. But you do need to let go of control (a bit). Here’s what helps:

• Celebrate effort over outcome. Clap louder for the try than the land.

• Normalise falls. Don’t wince every time they tumble. If they didn’t hurt themselves, it’s a win and a learning opportunity.

• Model risk-taking. Try something new in front of them, maybe even hop on a board.

• Give them gear they’re proud of. Whether it’s a board or their first tin of Dopamine Skinwear (it matters that they feel ownership).

Learning a few basics like how to push, kick turn, or find their balance on a board can build confidence fast. Many skate parks now offer beginner clinics or sessions where children can learn the ropes in a safe, low-pressure environment and even surf shops can often point you to local communities or they might run some sessions themselves.

You can also try watching some beginner YouTube videos together — there are tons of fun tutorials, oh, and we’ll soon be launching our Dopamine Grom series too!

Even just practicing standing on a board at home is a great way to start. It’s not about nailing tricks, it’s about getting comfy and having fun.

What gear do they need?

Start with the basics:

• Skaters: A good quality board (try smaller sizes for under-10s), helmet, and knee/elbow pads. A flat park or local skate spot is perfect.

• Surfers: A soft-top foam board, rash vest, and sunscreen they’ll actually wear (yep, you guessed it, try Dopamine’s).

• Clothes that move: Oversized hoodies, loose T-shirts, and shoes that grip. Style matters too, so let them own their look.

Why confidence hits different in action sports

A 2022 Reddit thread on r/skateboarding asked parents what their kids get from skating. The answers? “Confidence, independence, grit,” and “a reason to get off screens and into the real world.” One said: “Skating teaches you it’s okay to fall — but more importantly, it teaches you how to get back up without waiting for someone to help.”

Research backs this up. Action sports build more than physical strength — they support emotional resilience, spatial awareness, creative thinking, and intrinsic motivation (Gambone, 2019; Skateistan). These sports are often unstructured, self-directed, and community-powered. That combo helps kids:

• Learn to self-regulate after frustration

• Trust their body through repetition

• Collaborate and support others at the park or break

• Build personal identity and pride

Let them go at their own pace. Whether they end up pro or just push around the driveway, it’s about the journey, not the trick count.

And when they want to quit?

Let them pause, but not give up. Grom life comes in phases. Respect their rhythm, but remind them: the best things take time. Keep looking for inspiration and celebrate their small tries and efforts.

At Dopamine, we’re raising a tribe of groms — children who fall hard, laugh loud, and ride even louder. And we’re right there with them, building products and stories that protect the journey. Because fearless skin needs fearless confidence, and every grom deserves both.