Locals are joining in an international celebration of their sport on Thursday as skateboarders around the globe take to the streets for Go Skateboarding Day.
“We’ll be starting at 4 p.m. from the west end of Baker Street where the old Esso gas station used to be, skating up Baker Street to Josephine taking a left on Josephine and then take the stairs down to the Nelson and District Youth Centre to continue the events by skating ramps and more,” said Shane Johnsen owner of Tribute Board Shop.
The event holds special significance for local skaters as they continue fundraising for the outdoor skateboard park.
“We want to bring more awareness to a sport that everyone knows about, but it’s great to see that mass gather together and show support for the sport they love,” said Johnsen.
“It’s even more important for Nelson because we are on the cusp of getting over the last few hurdles of getting our outdoor skatepark in place. I think this is a good time for us to get out there and share the sport with the community.”
Go Skateboarding Day began on June 21, 2003 and now has events from Anchorage, Alaska to Cape Town, South Africa.
“The population of skateboarders in Nelson is very high,” said Johnsen. “But due to the limited facilities you don’t see us as much. But there are a lot of people eager to get out and skate in the community.”
The Kootenay Lake Outdoor Skate Park Society is fundraising and working to build a skate park near the Nelson and District Community Complex.
There are a variety of ways to get involved with the fundraising of the project including a campaign that allows people to buy a square foot of the skatepark for $50.
For more information on how to get involved with the Skate Park Society visit Tribute Board Shop or email klosps@hotmail.com.