Attack of Danger Bay, the mecca of downhill longboard racing, celebrated its 12th birthday May 19 in Pender Harbour.
The very first downhill race organized for longboarders, Danger Bay has since sparked a firestorm of professional and amateur downhill races around the globe. Australia, Finland, Austria, France, Italy, Brazil, Peru, U.S.A, Puerto Rico and more now have downhill races on some of the highest and curviest mountain roads in the world.
But in the beginning there was Bricin Lyons. He started Danger Bay against all odds.
Locals were not thrilled to see kids on long skateboards on racing wheels zooming down the hills of the Harbour, but he persisted. The Harbour's racers were five young men, Lyons included, called Team Green. They are now famous in the longboarding world. Scott (Scoot) Smith, Team Green member, is the only person to win the World Series and World Championship in the same year. He skated the world for years, supported by professional sponsors. Lyons, who no longer races, still organizes Danger Bay and travels the world as a paid announcer. The others race Danger Bay every year sporting green leathers and green hair.
Once a 'wear your jeans and pray you don't fall' sport, (the Danger Bay track has an aptly named carnage corner) Groms, ages 13 to 15, Super-Groms, ages 11 and 12 and size, women, masters (over 40) and open division, 16 to 39, now wear professional leather suits, helmets, leather gloves with plastic discs (pucks) velcroed to their palms, and have been clocked at 80km/hr. downhill.
Smooth paved tracks are bordered with hay bales at the sharpest corners, and an ambulance is on site for the duration. There are falls, and riders have broken bones, but the same can be said of horse racing, BMX, and skiing.
Until three years ago, 15-plus countries were represented at the Danger Bay starting line. Because there are so many races taking place congruently, only six countries were there last Sunday. However, Harbour locals are much more involved. Rona and Oak Tree are sponsors, and Irene, of John Henry's Marina, with the help of the Pender Harbour Resort, has formed a new local team of Groms and Super Groms to carry on from Team Green.
Team Irene members must sign a code of conduct, which includes no alcohol or drugs and staying in school. The 10 lads proudly skate in matching red and black leathers, thanks to Irene's fundraising efforts. Team Irene walked in the May Day Parade, holding their banner, leading the other134 longboarders through Madeira Park, and earning the loudest applause from spectators. They practice regularly, family members 'spotting' corners for on-coming traffic, and all did extremely well at this year's at this year's Attack of Danger Bay. See all the results in the sports ticker on page 46.
