Arisandi steps gingerly on to the first skateboard he has ever seen. Losing his balance, he giggles and catches himself before almost toppling over. But after just one 45-minute lesson, he is confidently jumping on and off the board with ease.

Thirteen-year-old Arisandi is one of more than 720 Indonesian students who have taken part in an event called Skate Jam, organised as part of the Australian Embassy Jakarta's Arts and Cultural Program 2014.

Professional skaters from skate brand, DC and a team of coaches from Skateboarding Australia have been touring Indonesia teaching skateboarding skills to Indonesian youth. Free 'learn to skateboard' lessons, as well as demonstrations by professional skaters, have been held in Bandung, Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar (Bali).

"I've had a really good time here at the skateboarding clinic," says Arisandi, who travelled three hours to attend the event. "The best was when the coaches taught me how to flip the board–I hope I can practice more in the future."

Undeterred by space and equipment limitations, skate board instructors have set up skate ramps and small training areas in indoor and outdoor malls.

"I've had an amazing time," says Pat Gemzik, a skateboarding instructor from Brisbane. "Seeing the enthusiasm and energy of the kids has been really inspiring, and I feel so privileged to be here sharing what I love to do."

Many of the youth who have participated in the Skate Jams, have come from schools built under a partnership between the Australian and Indonesian governments.

"I hope Skate Jam introduces these young Indonesians to another aspect of Australia's support for their education through safe and fun sports," says Greg Moriarty, Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia.

"Skate Jam is a great opportunity to deepen people-to-people links and understanding between Australia and Indonesia. I hope these events will mark the beginning of many new personal connections between our countries."

"We really appreciate participating in this kind of event," says Mr. Asep, a maths teacher from a secondary school outside of Bandung. "It's good for the students to learn new sports and extracurricular activities and give them outlets outside of the classroom."

CEO of Asia-Pacific Quiksilver, DC Shoes, Paul Hutson, was happy to hear this kind of response from one of the educators attending.

"In the past, skateboarders didn't have the best reputation, but this kind of event helps to project the sport as a healthy one that's good for fitness," he says.

"I think the success of the event can be summed up by the smiles on the kids' faces, how excited and into it they are. That makes it worth it for all of us."

The Embassy's Arts and Cultural Program 2014 reaches audiences across Indonesia through a variety of events, including concerts, visual art exhibitions, dance, literature, fashion and a science and innovators road show. It is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is generously supported by the ANZ Bank, the Australia-Indonesia Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Curtin University, Deakin University, Ernst and Young, Flinders University, Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland and the University of Tasmania.