Communities For Skaters

Skate News - Vancouver

VANCOUVER, July 27, 2005 – In a move that reflects the emerging status of the west coast as the hotbed for skateboarding in Canada, Mayor Larry Campbell has officially proclaimed the week of August 22nd to 28th, 2005 as “Skateboarding Week” in the City of Vancouver.

“The proclamation of August 22-28 as Skateboarding Week simply recognizes the rise of the sport here in the City of Vancouver and what it means as an important element of west coast lifestyle and culture for our young people and young-minded people of all ages,” said Mayor Campbell, an active champion of events and activities for the residents of western Canada’s largest city.

In the Official Proclamation, the Mayor outlines the rationale for the designation of Skateboarding Week: “British Columbia’s skateboarders have brought international distinction to our city with their achievements. Vancouver has developed and established a significant skateboard industry including the largest and oldest professional contest in North America, Slam City Jam, and a thriving skateboard community supported by the Vancouver Skate Park Coalition.”

Vancouver’s emergence as a skateboarding capital traces back to Expo ’86, when the Transworld Skateboard Championships were held here. It marked the first truly global skateboarding competition and set the stage for events like the Solo Mobile Slam City Jam, which is now part of the World Cup of Skateboarding. Today, there are dozens of skate parks throughout the Lower Mainland which have been built in cooperation with city officials and local skateboarders, and many more are planned for the future.

posted by Communities 4 Sk8ers @ 8:36 AM