Parents may flip watching their kids do a McTwist or a mongo-foot, but the debut of Surfside’s first-ever skateboarding clinic may help reduce any lingering worries.

Beginning at noon Saturday at the community center, town residents 8 years and older will learn about skateboard safety and proper maintenance. According to Tim Milian, parks and recreation for the town, the driving force behind the clinic was the large number of young skateboarders.

“We have all these kids in Surfside that skateboard and we would like to bring to light the safety issues,” Milian said, noting that the town would like to harness some of that youthful energy in the future. “We plan to have a one-mile skate board race in the near future through Surfside.”

The clinic will include skateboard inspections and will introduce basic techniques for commuting such as switch-foot skating and foot braking.

“The most important aspect of this clinic is to ensure that everyone is wearing a helmet when commuting,” said Jonathan Strauss of USA Distance Skateboard Association, who will instruct the clinic.

Strauss bills himself as an “event operations and unorthodox marketing consultant, creator of the Adrenalina Skateboard Marathon tour, and a strong advocate for organized skateboard racing.”

In 2010, he gathered top distance skateboarders to create the International Distance Skateboard Association (The IDSA), the umbrella federation for the national governing body of the USA Distance Skateboard Association. The organization ensures the safety of event competitors through route inspections, age groupings and event insurance.

“We also grow local awareness and participation by demonstrating skateboarding’s benefits toward a healthy and positive lifestyle, and to ultimately infuse new energy into skateboarding as a viable and legal mode of transportation,” Strauss said.

Milian expects a turnout of about 30 kids. Strauss will be providing an incentive for more kids — and their parents — to show up by giving out stickers and free T-shirts that support the national governing body of the sport.

“I also think parents and children should attend because skateboarding as transportation is a sport for everyone,” Strauss said.

One local resident and skateboard enthusiast who does use this method of transportation is Mayor Daniel Dietch, who often rides a skateboard to commission meetings.

“We expect the mayor will be in attendance with his kids,” Milian said.

Pre-registration is required. Participants will end the clinic with a group skate around town, with Surfside police as escorts. Participants must sign a waiver and provide their own skateboard, helmet, and protective pads.

“Hopefully, we will get the mayor to skate at speeds like the top pros: 19 miles per hour,” Strauss said.