Surf Skate Science - South Florida Homeschool Co-Op

10/31/2026

Part 2/2 These portrait shots from our students are epic.

Our hope is that this experience has inspired this next generation of photographers to pick up a camera, tell their own stories, and continue documenting the people, places, and culture that make skateboarding so special.

A huge thank you to skate photographer Johnathan Becker and the wonderful team at Bellows Film Lab for sharing their passion and helping our students discover the magic of capturing moments on film.

Why does skate photography matter? 📸 We love this quote…

“I think the amazing thing about action is, that it’s literally one millisecond that will never happen again.” - Atiba Jefferson

10/31/2026

Part 1/2 There’s something pretty special about seeing the world through the eyes of our students!

This term has been all about exploring the art and science of photography and analog mediums. We are SO excited and proud to share some of the incredible images our students captured during Thursday’s skate photography session with Jonathan Becker .

Photography is so much more than taking a great picture. It’s about learning to see the world differently, finding beauty in unexpected places, and recognizing the power of preserving a moment in time.

10/31/2026

“There is nothing better than capturing a moment that will be gone forever.” — Atiba Jefferson

Some of skateboarding’s greatest moments live on because someone was there with a camera.

Long before Instagram, photographers were documenting the tricks, the people, the places, and the culture that shaped skateboarding. They weren't just taking pictures. They were preserving history.

As we wrap up the photography portion of our semester exploring the A in STEAM, we hope we've inspired a few kids to see photography a little differently. To take a photo not just for the gram, the likes, or the instant gratification, but for the art of it. To slow down, notice the light, anticipate the movement, and recognize a moment worth remembering.

We've explored the science of light, the chemistry of film, the patience of developing by hand, and the art of capturing that perfect split second. But perhaps the most important thing we've tried to teach is that a photograph can become more valuable with time. Because someday, the ordinary moments we capture today may become the history someone else treasures tomorrow.

Here's to the next generation of photographers who will carry on that legacy. Keep looking. Keep creating. Keep documenting.

What moments from skateboarding's history are you grateful someone captured?

10/29/2026

One of our favorite parts of working with kids is seeing them light up when they get to talk about something they love.

And today we got to witness just that!

We turned the skatepark into a lunch venue for the wonderful team at Step Up For Students and local government officials. But the best part was watching one of our students take the stage and share her journey and passion for SPACE! 🚀

Listening to her talk about where she’s headed, we couldn’t help but think that one day we’ll be saying, “We knew her when!”

This is why we believe so strongly in educational choice. Not every kid learns the same way, and having the freedom to explore their own interests can make all the difference.

A big thank you to Step Up For Students and the State of Florida for helping make these opportunities possible for families.

We hope our guests walked away seeing what we get to see every day. Kids are capable of some pretty incredible things when you give them room to grow.

And who knows? The next astronaut might just be hanging out at your local skatepark!

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid? Are you doing what you dreamt of? Tell us about it. How did you get there? Who helped along the way? And if you didn’t get there, what stopped you?

10/29/2026

Skateboarding teaches us a lot about life. Especially how to pivot when things don’t go as planned! Today was one of those days.

When our scheduled plans fell through, we reached out to someone we’d met just yesterday at Bellows Film Lab . And Jonathan Becker Jonathan Becker didn’t hesitate to step up! What we found our was that Jonathan isn’t just a photographer. He’s a skateboarder with a BFA in Photography from Pace University , a staff photographer for Skate Jawn magazine, and has photographed events for Red Bull Skateboarding 🛹 , Street League Skateboarding , and more.

His challenge to our Surf Skate Science students at Lot 11? Just 2 or 3 shots. Make them count.

Imagine handing kids expensive cameras (thanks Zion Antonio for trusting us) and asking them NOT to take hundreds of pictures! …But that’s exactly the point.

As we continue exploring the A in STEAM, we’re teaching something that is slowly disappearing in our instant gratification world. The art of slowing down. Observing. Anticipating. Trusting your instincts. And waiting for that perfect moment.

No endless retakes. No instant previews. Just the science of light, the art of timing, and the patience to get it right.

Yesterday we explored the chemistry and craftsmanship of developing film. Today we put the art of photography into the hands of our students.

Now comes perhaps the hardest lesson of all. Waiting to see what they captured!

Huge thanks to Jonathan for showing up for our kids and reminding us that sometimes the best things happen when plans change.

Would YOU trust a kid with an expensive camera and only three chances to capture the perfect shot? We would love to hear your thoughts.

10/28/2026

Skateboarding and photography have something in common. In both, it’s all about capturing that perfect moment!

Today our Surf Skate Science students visited Bellows Film Lab in Miami to explore the art AND science of film photography. We learned about photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson’s philosophy of “The Decisive Moment,” that split second when timing, movement, and composition come together.

From developing film to creating photographic prints, students discovered how chemistry, light, timing, and precision turn a moment into something tangible you can hold in your hands.

It’s STEAM in action! And just like landing a skateboard trick, capturing that perfect shot takes patience, practice, and a little experimentation.

All semester we’ve been exploring analog versus digital technology. While we love the convenience of today’s digital tools, we also believe in preserving the art and science of traditional photography. Learning to develop film and create prints by hand keeps these skills, techniques, and creative traditions alive for future generations.

Huge thanks to the team at Bellows Film Lab Miami for bringing this experience to life!

Have you ever developed film or printed a photo in a darkroom? October 30th Bellows Film Lab is hosting a workshop to show you how. Sign up at the link in their bio.

10/27/2026

The holidays are coming and we have two fun community events planned at The Lab! Mark your calendars, grab your crew and come hang with us.

November 21 | 5 to 8 PM
Our annual Skatesgiving Potluck is back! Bring a dish to share, enjoy some skating and spend the evening with the people who make this community so special. Everyone is welcome.

December 12 | Noon to 4 PM
Our Holiday Shop, Swap & Sesh is the perfect chance to clean out your collection, find some new treasures and support local makers. Bring your fingerboards, skateboards, surfboards and gear to trade or sell. We’ll also have local vendors, plenty of skating and a whole lot of holiday cheer.

Interested in being a vendor? Reach out!

At the end of the day, The Lab is about more than skating. It’s about bringing people together, building friendships and creating a space where everyone feels like they belong. Join us every Tuesday from 7-9pm for our adult skate session and most Saturdays for our all ages skateboarding clinic.

The Lab @ Surf Skate Science, 3701 NE 5th Ave, Oakland Park.

Save the dates, spread the word and bring a friend. We can’t wait to see you!

10/27/2026

What if the greatest risk isn’t failing at life, but spending it pursuing someone else’s definition of success?

Go to school. Get good grades. Graduate. Get a job. Work 9 to 5. Climb the ladder. Retire. Finally enjoy life.

But what if, by then, you’ve missed the things that made life worth living?

This video hits hard when you realize the square he’s standing in isn’t just a job. It’s a mindset.

There’s nothing wrong with hard work, but a paycheck should help you build a life, not cost you your life.

As AI and technology reshape the future, we need to prepare kids for more than fitting into someone else’s square. We need curious thinkers, creative problem solvers, innovators, and lifelong learners who can adapt and think for themselves.

Success isn’t just a salary or title. It’s the life you get to live, the people you love, the places you explore, and the joy you find along the way.

Let’s stop asking only what our kids want to be and start asking how they want to live.

The goal isn’t to start living at 65. It’s to build a life you don’t need to retire from.

We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.



Video credit unknown. DM us so we can give you the credit you deserve on this.

10/27/2026