Local skate culture has held its own since the days of Slam City Jam, the longest running skateboarding event of its kind, which ran from 1994 until 2005 when it moved to Calgary. Although the event was put to rest after rolling away from home like so many teenagers skate culture in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»it is still alive and thriving.
Kids today are drawn to skateboarding because its a competitive, expressive sport that fosters creativity, friendships and, for some, even a career.
Before the fireworks Saturday night at Sunset Beach, an event officially known as the Honda Celebration of Light, Vancouvers newest non-profit skateboarding society, Jamcouver, aims to host the biggest skateboarding exhibition and competition in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. With a fireworks audience estimated at 23,000, they will host six teams of 10 athletes, entertaining children of all ages and their grown-up skateboard moms and dads.
Jamcouvers mission is to raise money for an indoor skate park thats more than just a skate park.
Dan Post, the managing editor of Color Magazine, a Canadian skateboard quarterly, is one of Jamcouvers biggest supporters.
"Jamcouver intends to create a sustainable, permanent recreational space with community money," he said. "It will appeal to skaters of all ages and levels by providing a dry, safe canvas in our rainy months, complete with free after-school programs like writing and photography that are specific to skate culture."
Post, a resident of South Granville, moved to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»with a desire to bridge his two passions: writing and skateboarding. He said he was never a typical jock and skateboarding became a passion. "I was led in to team sports like baseball but found myself rebelling against the typical athlete mold. There is a need for certain young personalities to break out, create, progress and move forward, and the sport of skateboarding does just that."
Jamcouver reeks creativity, and the biggest surprise this weekend will be the street course. You wont see any cookie-cutter ramps or bowls this course is designed with mucho WOW factor and athletes will have to bust unique moves to get points with the judges.
Post met me on the edge of Chinatown in The Plaza, a sheltered terrain of smooth concrete and giant posts that support the Georgia Viaduct above.
As school-age kids carved cement around us, Post described the positive reasons kids should take up skateboarding. At the time of our interview, The Dry Spot summer skateboard camp and owner-instructor Ben Chibber was guiding a group of seven- to nine-year-old boys through the ramps. Why do they skate? Each little man seemed to reply in unison, "Its fun! I get to do tricks, meet new friends and ride new places." At Jamcouver, the boys said they were most excited to see Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»legends like
Paul Machnau, Russ Milligan and Jordan Hoffart.
Jamcouver coupled their event with the Celebration of Light because it draws huge crowds and they want to showcase skateboarding to families.
From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., spectators can watch skaters tour the street course and visit the vendor fair, complete with live performances, retail and autograph opportunities from pros.
Save on Meats will sell food with profits going to its Betterlife Foundation and Jamcouver. Donations will also be collected onsite.
Get out there with your kids and discover the future of skateboarding. Maybe even master the ollie. As Ive already learned from my son and these kids, skateboarding is definitely a cool sport.
Steph Florian is always chasing her next adventure and plays with her family in the mountains and on the sea. Get in touch at [email protected] and Twitter.com/@PlayoutdoorsVan.
