The music was loud the way kids like it. The crowd was wowed with tricks and daring. The sky was filled with teens flying through the air on their skateboards at Gibsons Skate Park June 21. International Go Sk8 Day was a hit with those who attended it. "I like action. I like a party," said Janine Williams, owner of The Banana Slug Board Company and event organizer.
More than 25 local businesses contributed to the Sunshine Coast's first time hosting the international event that occurs simultaneously around the world at multiple venues. Williams said that almost every business she spoke to was supportive of the idea. Some participants came from Vancouver, a switch from previous years where Coast boarders have gone to Vancouver for the competition. Williams said the event and the park in general are beginning to bring in tourism and money to the community and that families coming to the Coast to camp and spend their weekends are bringing their kids by to use the park that opened a year ago.
Williams, who knows most of the competitors by name, said she enjoys the culture at the skateboard park. "It's almost like a fellowship. They show each other stuff," she said, noting how the older youths mentor the younger kids.
Ted Chisholm, Sunshine Coast Regional District parks and recreation co-ordinator for youth programming, marveled at the talent at the park.
"These guys get told they're going nowhere. 'Get a life.' People don't value [skateboarding]. They don't see it takes hours to get this good. The physical strength and dexterity they're self-motivated, they're self-taught, they're outdoors and not in front of TV sets," he said.
Volunteer Brian Bercier is an adult role model who sees value in the sport. Bercier brought a collection of skateboards to the event from years gone by. Remember those skinny little things people used to careen down hills on in the '70s?
"Brian is an ambassador for the sport," said Williams. "A helmet and pads and he's out there with the kids sweeping up garbage and teaching the kids."
Prizes were handed out in four categories and included gift certificates to stores like Chemistry clothing. Some youths won complete kits with new decks, wheels and parts to build new skateboards.
Williams is already looking forward to next year's event and is hopeful that a committee that includes youths who use the park can be formed to lighten the load. "It was a lot of work. Kudos to Ted Chisholm. Whatever they ask for, he tries to make it happen, but it was a lot of work."
Despite sounding tired, Williams was smiling as she watched another fearless youth she knows sail past. There was still the after-party, complete with a live band, in the youth centre to set up.
