WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT OUR DISTANCE PROGRAM
DISTANCE PROGRAM GUIDE
A Structured Pathway for Non-Local Athletes, Where Education and Olympic Dreams Align
Please read the information below to learn everything you need to know about our Distance Program - all information is for year 2025/2026.
At LVLUP, our mission is centered around the holistic development of each student-athlete. We are dedicated to nurturing your child’s passion for skateboarding, an Olympic discipline sport set to be showcased at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, while also ensuring their academic growth, personal development, and social well-being.
LVLUP Academy is more than a training ground, it’s a place where young athletes grow as scholars, citizens, and future Olympians. We are committed to developing individuals who aspire to excellence, demonstrate integrity, and value diversity, both on and off the board.
We understand that not all athletes are able to attend the LVLUP Full-Time Academy on a daily basis due to geographical constraints. For those who live outside the immediate area, we offer an exclusive opportunity to join our Distance Program a carefully designed pathway that allows serious athletes to engage with our high-performance training environment without full-time relocation.
The Distance Program is scheduled across specific periods during the California academic year only, allowing families the flexibility to choose a time that aligns with their school and personal commitments. Please see below for the full calendar, including designated blackout periods during which we do not accept enrolments.
To maintain the integrity and impact of the program, we require a minimum 4-week commitment per California Semester (min 2 weeks at a time) and a full-year enrolment of at least 8 weeks total. This ensures that athletes experience meaningful progress and are fully immersed in our coaching methodology. You can attend more than 8 weeks a year should you choose. Note, we do not accept sporadic one-off enrolments throughout the year, as spots are limited and high in demand. Once all available placements are filled, applicants will need to wait until the following year’s intake.
Our 2-week minimum is intentional: we find that the first week is often an adjustment period, as athletes acclimate to the intensity and expectations of our program. By the second week, they’re better positioned to absorb instruction, develop consistency, and truly lock in new skills. This structured approach leads to better long-term outcomes and higher performance retention.
Athletes in the Distance Program are integrated into the daily routine of our Full-Time Academy, with access to the same coaching structure, skate sessions, and progress tracking. Those who are continuing their own academic studies remotely are welcome to bring schoolwork and sit in with our full-time athletes to complete their studies every morning from 9-12pm. We will have a qualified learning coach on site to provide academic support if needed. If no schoolwork is required, training begins at 12:30 PM daily, with the option to arrive earlier for lunch at 12:00PM alongside our full-time athletes. Please note: the skatepark is not available for use prior to the scheduled training start time. Importantly, participation in the Distance Program requires full integration into the Academy training to get the most out of the overall experience.
At 12:30pm athletes will be put into assigned coaching groups based on skill level and adhere to the program schedule. This is not a free-skate environment; athletes are here to be coached, challenged, and supported in their progression. Our goal is to ensure every participant is set up for measurable success, within a professional and high-performance framework.
Access for Athletes Affiliated with National Federations - If you are an athlete affiliated with a national federation that has in the past paid for a membership at the CATF and wish to train at LVLUP, access must be coordinated directly through your federation, based on the specific training package or agreement they have established with our facility. Please note that individual access will not be granted until your federation has formalised its partnership with LVLUP. Once an agreement is in place, we will work closely with the federation to ensure a structured and seamless integration into our training environment, aligned with their strategic goals and athlete development plans.
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you once the appropriate arrangements have been confirmed. If you are affiliated with a national federation but your federation does not have the funds to support a membership for you, then you can proceed to booking this program.
Arrival and Departure Policy:
Arrival Day: Athletes must arrive on the first day of their chosen program start date, which is typically a Monday.
Departure Day: Athletes are required to depart on the final day of their program enrolment, usually a Friday.
Release of Athletes: For safety and security reasons, athletes will only be released to their registered parent or legal guardian unless prior arrangements have been made. Exceptions may be granted if the parent or legal guardian provides written authorisation permitting the athlete to leave with an approved adult or independently.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. CANCELLATION POLICY:
● In the event that LVLUP must cancel your enrolment for any reason, you will be entitled to a credit for future use or a 50% refund.
● If you choose to cancel your enrolment at least 30 days prior to your scheduled start date, you will receive a credit to be applied at your convenience; no refunds will not be issued in this case.
● Cancellations made within 7 days of the program start date are non-refundable, including any deposits or payments made to date, as your enrolment reserves a limited space in the program (no credits will be issued either)
2. IS ACCOMMODATION / HOUSING AVAILABLE?
At this time, we do not offer any onsite or offsite accommodation for participants. Families are responsible for making independent housing arrangements at their own convenience and expense, as accommodation is not included in the program. Currently, our facility does not have the capacity or necessary city permits to house people. However, we are actively exploring options to provide housing in future program years.
3. IS THERE ANY TRANSPORT SERVICE AVAILABLE?
Yes, we offer airport pickup and drop-off services for athletes traveling independently to the Academy flying into McClellan-Palomar Airport (Carlsbad) for an additional fee of $50 USD each way or or San Diego International Airport for an additional fee of $100 USD each way.
Please note the following important details:
Transportation is provided between the airport and the LVLUP Academy facility only. We do not offer direct transportation to or from private accommodations or third-party lodging.
This service must be ticked on the enrolment form to ensure availability and proper scheduling.
Our staff will coordinate closely with the athlete’s flight itinerary to ensure a safe and timely transfer to and from the Academy.
This optional service is designed to support families whose athletes are traveling alone and to provide added peace of mind during arrival and departure days.
4. WHO ARE THE INSTRUCTORS AND COACHES? Expert Coaching & Academic Structure at LVLUP Academy
LVLUP has built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional coaching and athlete development across all skill levels. Our coaching team is composed of highly experienced, passionate professionals from across the country and around the world. Many of our coaches are actively competing athletes, while others are former professionals, Olympians, X Games competitors, and long-time industry experts, all united by a shared commitment to mentoring the next generation of skateboarders.
Our coaching groups are structured by age, skill level, and enrolment volume, ensuring every athlete receives focused, personalised instruction that meets them where they are and challenges them to progress.
5. ARE PARENTS ALLOWED TO STAY AND WATCH DURING ACADEMY COACHING TIMES?
As LVLUP is a full-time academy and educational program, it operates similarly to a traditional school environment. For this reason, parents are not permitted to remain on-site or observe sessions during core academy hours (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM). During this time, students are fully immersed in both academic and athletic development, and our structured schedule is designed to foster focus, independence, and personal growth.
Our experience in Australia has shown that the presence of parents during the coaching part can unintentionally distract students and hinder their ability to fully engage with the program and their coaches. To ensure each student reaches their full potential, we maintain a drop-off and pick-up system consistent with most school-based programs.
However, parents are very welcome to attend and observe from 3:00-4:00pm, during the afternoon coaching block. Additionally, families are invited to come along and watch during public hours later in the evening when the park is open to the general public.
We value parental support and encourage ongoing communication outside of instructional hours to ensure a collaborative and supportive environment for each student’s success.
6. WHAT SCHOOL WORK DO THE KIDS DO?
Academic Expectations for Visiting Athletes - It is up to you and your child to make the appropriate arrangements with your child’s current school directly to determine any academic requirements or expectations during their time at LVLUP. Please inform the school that we have fully qualified Learning Coach onsite who are available to supervise and assist with academic work each morning. Our structured learning environment ensures that student-athletes remain engaged with their education while training at a high-performance level. For students who are homeschooled, we will allow them to manage their own coursework independently. They are welcome to work in our classrooms each morning alongside other student-athletes in a supportive and supervised setting.
Students who are not participating in academic studies while at LVLUP are expected to arrive by 12:00pm in preparation for the start of coaching at 12:30pm, with the same finish time of 3:30/4:00pm
Our goal is to maintain a healthy balance between academic accountability and athletic development, ensuring each student remains on track both in their education and in their sport.
7. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?
A typical day at LVLUP Academy is designed to balance academic focus, physical activity, and high-performance training, all within a structured and supportive environment:
8:00-8:30am Arrive at LVLUP Academy skate/ride until Education starts
8:45am Morning huddle for entire Academy
9:00-12pm Education with a break
12:00-12:30pm Lunch
12:30pm Coaching starts until 3:30pm
3:30-4:00pm Free Skate and pick up
Please note that athletes are required to leave the facility by 4:00pm daily, as the skatepark hosts public lessons from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, during which the park is fully booked. Academy students will have access to the park again from 7:00pm on set week nights.
8. DO I GET TO USE THE PARK AT OTHER TIMES TO PRACTICE? Skatepark Access for Academy Athletes
As part of their enrolment, all LVLUP Academy athletes will have complimentary access to the skatepark during designated open sessions outside of scheduled training hours. This provides additional time for practice, progression, and community engagement in a supervised environment.
Skatepark Access Hours:
● Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 7:00pm – 10:00/11:00pm
● Saturday: 1:00pm – 9:00/10:00pm
● Sunday: 12:00 PM – 7:00/8:00pm
These sessions are included at no additional cost and are exclusive to Academy athletes. Athletes are expected to uphold LVLUP’s values of respect, safety, and responsibility while using the facility during open access hours.
California School Semester Dates for 2025/2026:
Please refer to the below calendar for block out periods for our Distance Program
Fall Semester Starts: August 27, 2025 Fall Semester Ends: Jan 23, 2026 (14 weeks available in total)
Spring Semester Starts: Jan 27, 2026 Spring Semester Ends: June 5, 2026 (13 weeks available in total)
9. WHAT IS THE COST OF THE DISTANCE PROGRAM?
Program Fee: $1,500 per person, per week with a minimum commitment: 4 weeks per semester (8 weeks for the year)
Again accommodation & transportation are not included as part of this program and must be arranged independently.
As availability is limited, we strongly recommend confirming your preferred dates as early as possible to secure your spot. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
** Please note we are not accepting anyone until Mon Sep 3rd. The first weeks are for us to imbed the full-time athlete program given it is new.
10. HOW DO I ENROL/BOOK MY CHILD IN FOR THE PROGRAM?
To enrol your child, please complete the registration form available at the link below:
https://form.jotform.com/251466434133150
For more information please email: admin@lvlupusa.com