Happy Go Skateboarding Day to all my skaters and skate aficionados!
Dust off your wheels and do some stretches because Go Skateboarding Day is on Monday, June 21st, 2021. This is a day when skateboarders all around the globe celebrate the thrill, creativity, and exhilaration of skateboarding. On this day, all members of the worldwide skateboarding community drop what they’re doing and take the day to remind everyone else why skateboarding is so popular. Whether you’ve been skateboarding for years, just took up the hobby, or would prefer to watch the pros do their thing from the comfort of your couch, we’re going to discuss the origins of this day and how you can celebrate it.
Where Did International Go Skateboarding Day Come From?
Go Skateboarding Day (GSD) was started by the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) and other skate industries who worked together to reach wider audiences and increase public exposure to skateboarding. The first Go Skateboarding Day took place in 2004 and was led by a handful of events in The United States and Canada. Don Brown is the founder of Go Skateboarding and a member of the IASC. He created GSD so fellow skateboarding industry employees could be given the time to hang out with other skaters and do what they love. Nearly 16 years later, countless skateboarders still come together on GSD under a united love for skating.
Ways to Participate in Go Skateboarding Day 2021
As a professional skateboarder and recovery advocate, Brandon Novak understands the importance of skateboarding. His skating career was affected by his heroin addiction, but soon became the thing he enjoyed most along with helping regain their sobriety as a certified intervention specialist. Not only is he part of the skateboarding community, but he’s also a part of the addiction recovery community. If you have a love for skateboarding, below are a few ways you can observe the annual Go Skateboarding Day in 2021.
- Learn new skateboarding moves: What better way to showcase your skills and make new friends than to learn some new tricks for Go Skateboarding Day?
- Help the younger ones at the park: While the little ones who are still learning can get in the way sometimes at the skatepark, this year try to help them. This promotes community, peer support, and it changes the dynamic of the skatepark when it comes to newbies.
- Watch a skateboarding documentary: There are tons of skateboarding documentaries, including Skateboard Kings, Blind Video Days, Dogtown and Z Boys, and more. Watch some of the greatest skateboarding legends when they were still learning.
- Get a new skateboard: If you haven’t treated yourself to a new skateboard recently, now’s the time to do it. Customize the deck, wheels, trucks, bearings, or anything else to make it unique and stand out for GSD.
- Sign up for a skateboarding competition: Search for some local skateboarding competitions you can participate in. This is a great way to connect with other skaters and develop your skills. It’s also just fun. Some common amateur skateboarding competitions include Zumiez Best Foot Forward, Volcom’s Wild in the Park series, and The Boardr Am Series.
- Create your skateboarding video: Some of the most legendary skateboarders kicked off their careers on the internet. Before YouTube was even a thing, skateboarders were uploading their homemade skateboarding videos anywhere they could. Pay homage to your legends and join the diverse online skating community by creating a video of your own. This is also a great way to watch for any improvements.
- Invite friends to celebrate with you: Even if your friends are new skaters or don’t know how to skate, invite them to celebrate Go Skateboarding Day with you. It’s not about how many tricks you can do, it’s about skateboarders coming together to do something they love.
- Help a local developing skatepark: Show appreciation for the places where you’ve practiced and grown as a skateboarder by volunteering at your local skateparks. It can be as simple as donating a small amount to repair something at the park or just cleaning any trash that’s left behind. You should take as much care of the place where you practice as you do your equipment.
Brandon Novak is a professional skateboarder that has showcased his talents in the Jackass series. He currently works with Redemption Addiction Treatment Centers as a recovery advocate and even received his certification as an intervention specialist. He currently helps friends and families get help for their loved ones. If you’re interested in learning more about Brandon’s intervention services, call him now at 610-314-6747.
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