source: The Rossland Telegraph
More press for the Rossland Skatepark Association. This is an excellent article written by Andrew Zwicker hitting home the same issues that many, many other groups are putting out there to their local communities.
source: Nelson Star
We couldn’t make out what had happened, or what was happening, as we drove past the scene last week but we knew it wasn’t good. A large area of Ward Street was cordoned off with yellow police tape effectively closing the highway and there was this bus, at a distance, sitting silent amongst the flashing lights of emergency vehicles, in the middle of Lake Street.
It wasn’t until the next morning I heard what had happened and all know by now, a skateboarder and bus collided leaving a young man very seriously injured. Shocking and very sad.
Witnesses reported the skateboarder was travelling at a good clip down Ward Street, crossed Vernon Street, then hit a bus as it was making a right turn onto Lake Street.
As mentioned, I wasn’t there when it occurred, so I won’t comment further as to circumstances, legality or lay any blame here, but I will say that I was afraid something like this was going to happen.
This is not the first time a skateboarder has crossed Vernon at Ward at speed. I’ve seen it before while waiting to make a left turn on to Ward in front of the Hume Hotel. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing and remember thinking “that’s absolutely nuts!” or words to that effect. But risky acts on our streets and roads are not limited to skateboarders >…. read on
Strathcona Skatepark Jam, Vancouver: August 29th for Under 16 only
registration 11 -11:30am start time 12pm
Contributor – a project co-founded by Mike Giles and Annie Lam that aims to serve the needs of disadvantaged city youth through skateboarding – Livestock Vancouver will host the official opening for “Smile On Your Brother” on Monday, August 24, 2009.
The show has 60 hand crafted skateboards, based on the shape of the first ones to be mass produced, with designs by some of the world’s most renowned figures working within the skate and street art culture, including: Andy Jenkins, Parra, Don Pendleton, Cody Hudson, Chinatown Soccer Club, and many, many more. The art show will make its way across Canada, with all pieces being auctioned online up until October 25, 2009.
John Hanlon from Surrey BC places 3rd @ DC’s King of Vancouver>Check the full coverage @ Color Magazine
NOTE: DC handed over a $10,000 cheque for repairs and maintenance to the plaza in Vancouver.
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I found this interesting video about some grassroots skateboarding and education: documented by Adrien Levinger, A Student from Paris, France completing an internship at Columbia University…
source: Castleganews.com
West Kootenay skateboarders, scooter riders and BMX’ers tore up the pavement at the first Gnar in the Gar competition.
The event, which was primarily sponsored by Black Russian Skate owner Josh Evin, featured live music from DJ Dexter, Mr. Smith and DJ Cedar.
Although it wasn’t planned there was a competition for youth on racing scooters as well as a competition for the few BMX bicycle riders who were on hand.
“We weren’t planning, but I figured that if there were enough of them there and they wanted to take part, why not? And it was cool to get everyone in the park involved,” he said.
The event drew around 25 skateboarders, some BMX bike riders and some racing scooter enthusiasts.
Evin said the event was a success, however, he was hoping there would be more skateboarders from the Grand Forks and Nelson areas.
“All in all, I think a lot of kids from Castlegar showed up and they all had a good time,” said Evin.
All those who participated were able to get some sort of prize for their efforts.
After the afternoon of cool tricks and great music, the group headed to the Old Castle Theatre for an all ages show which featured, among other things, skateboarding movies.
“It was awesome,” said Evin. “Their new HD projection machine is amazing and we played some really good music,” he said.
The show was attended by 40 people, a number Evin said will improve in the years to come as word of the competition gets around the West Kootenay.
Evin is hoping to put on another skate event at the indoor bowl in Salmo this year if not he assured that there would be another outdoor show next summer in Castlegar and maybe even in Slocan.
“Thanks everyone for coming out and everyone who pitched in to make the event a huge success,” Evin said.
source: Goldstream News Gazette
Local skateboarders are looking to clean up the West Shore skatepark and their own public image under the banner of the resurrected Wescom Skateboard Society.
Up to a few months ago, the skatepark was graffiti-strewn and often a gathering point for some teens to drink and smoke up. Now painted in solid blues and greens, and generally free of litter, skateboarders are taking pride and ownership of the park, said Tristan Webb, 25, president of Wescom.
“Over the next few months we will be trying to change the image the public equates with skateboarding,” Webb said. “We’ll help keep the area clean and help maintain the site. We’ll see how things go.”
Skaters want to improve landscaping, provide benches, expand park elements, get demo events going and even have movie nights, he said.
They also plan to plant grass and shrubs to improve the aesthetics and keep dirt from blowing into the park.
“We want more of an overall park instead of just a skateboard park,” Webb said. “And there’s nowhere for parents to hang out except in their car.”
The first Wescom society dissolved about seven years ago after it successfully raised money to help build the skatepark, under the guidance of Brad Patterson, Wescom’s current vice-president. Patterson said with a number of issues emerging at the skatepark, it was time for riders to band together again.
“We’ve got to get organized as a community group,” Patterson said. “We want more community events at the park and to see it really used to its potential.”
Earlier this year, a scuffle between Langford bylaw officers and some belligerent drunk teens at the skatepark prompted the City to withdraw $10,000 earmarked for improvements. That incident soured an already uneasy relationship between skaters and bylaw officers, but Webb said that is slowly starting to change.
“We were definitely jaded toward (bylaw officers),” he said. “But we are working with instead of against them.”
“We get a lot of young kids and parents who come (to the skatepark) and are very happy with the scene,” he continued. “Our image isn’t completely ruined.”
Bobbi Neal, the community development coordinator with West Shore Parks and Recreation, which leases the skatepark from the Sooke School District, said the Wescom group has been extremely fast at responding to issues such as graffiti.
WSPR supplies paint and gear and Wescom supplies the painters.
Since the skaters helped paint the park and clean it up, they’ve heard plenty of positive feedback from the community, Neal said.
“(Wescom) is a fabulous, grassroots organization,” Neal said. “They’re the users of that park and they are invested in it.”
WSPR plans to work with Wescom on organizing events and helping with fundraisers. Neal said this year WSPR found an insurance provider that will cover skateboarding, a major step to allow sanctioned events.
Call Tristan Webb at 250-818-3289 for meeting times and more information on Wescom Skateboard Society.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
Hi out there – just thought I would share a photo of me turning high in the Kaslo Skatepark during a recent stopover.
