Skateboarders in Terrace marked the return of the internationally celebrated Go Skate Day on June 21 at George Little Park, marking the first such event in the city since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peter Hunter, a local resident and a father who participated in the event, pointed out that though Go Skate Day may be a significant event in major North American cities like Vancouver and San Francisco, it has been gaining traction in Terrace.
“There’s a small group of dedicated skateboarders in Terrace that decided to get together, pool some resources and have their own Go Skate Day,” Hunter said. He noted that the sport is particularly inclusive, saying, “All you need is a skateboard and some cement to keep busy and occupied.”
The Go Skate Day event brought together a group of 25 to 30 enthusiasts, with local companies contributing skateboards, accessories and clothing as prizes.
“It was a pretty good prize pool and everybody who was there left with a prize of some sort,” Hunter shared, adding that the group is hopeful of making this an even larger annual event.
Hunter, who used to skateboard in downtown Vancouver in the 1990s, highlighted the resurgence of the sport. He picked up the skateboard again after nearly two decades when his 12-year-old son developed an interest.
“It’s been a bonding experience for him and his son,” he said, reminiscing about his old skateboarding days while sharing new experiences with his son. “We share stories about shoes and new skateboards and our favourite skateboarders — and share those videos on Instagram and TikTok. It’s a pretty special thing for sure.”
The event did not go unnoticed by the local law enforcement either, as a Terrace RCMP officer stopped by to engage with the group, adding to the overall jovial atmosphere.
However, the festivities did not overshadow the underlying issue of the inadequate skateboarding facilities in the city. Hunter emphasized the need for better skate parks in Terrace.
“We have our skate park at the Sportsplex, but it’s very old and outdated so no one skateboards there,” he said. “That’s why we all meet at George Little Park and skateboard there instead.”
According to Hunter, minor improvements to the existing Sportsplex are merely a “bandaid fix.” The ultimate goal is to secure funding for a modern, updated facility, a process he acknowledges can take a considerable amount of time and resources, as evidenced by the recent creation of a new skatepark in Smithers, which took over 12 years.
Hunter remained optimistic, however, expressing hope for a growing local interest.
“The more events that we can host, the better it is for everybody to draw attention to skateboarding here in Terrace.”
Viktor Elias joined the Terrace Standard in April 2023.
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