Go Skateboarding Day.

By: Amanda Poole

       “Aw drat’s! Another ‘No Skateboarding’ sign! Where and when in the world will we find a decent place and day to go skate?” Well, I have the time and place! June 21^st, 2011, the very first day of summer. From England to Afghanistan, The United States to Peru, Go skateboarding day is a worldwide event. More than 500 events worldwide and millions of skaters participating globally, to pro skater support, Go Skateboarding Day continues to inspire and generate awareness around the world. It was created to ignite creativity, sprit, and the exhilaration that just skating gives people.

  The whole skateboarding day isn’t just for fun either; it’s also a strong and growing organization. The Go Skateboarding Foundation helps fund programs which promote skateboarding and give a positive impact on our society of young skateboarders. It raises money to give back to charities which involve skateboarding programs which include: JohnnyKicksCancer, Lee Matasi Foundation, Stoked Mentoring, Boys and Girls clubs, YMCA, A skate Foundation, and Grind for Life, to name a few as well as multiple skate park fundraisers across the nation. The foundation inspires to increase tomorrow’s skateboarders by encouraging young people to follow their dreams!

The only downside to skating anywhere in Hot Springs is that there are certain places that have banned skateboarding. And the fact that Hot Springs isn’t really popular out here in our little town. In the summer of 2007 some local skateboarders got arrested for not following the law. So you can have fun, but watch out where you skate! Always remember to ask the person who owns the property or the store parking lot owner before you go skate. Other than that, have fun!

You can ride a long board, short board, or some home made monstrosity. As long as you're on a board with wheels and having fun, Go Skateboarding Day is for you. The International Association of Skateboarding companies began this organization in the year of 2004. Go Skateboarding Day not only gives skaters a chance to skate freely almost anywhere around the world all day. But it also is one of the only times skaters from all over skate together with old and new friends from all parts of the country, and world. And even in the little town of Hot Springs, Arkansas. And if you’re just a commoner in a car or walking on the side of the street, watch out! Even though I’m sure that most skaters tend to stay away from roads and sidewalks in general.

             

            All you skateboarders around Lake Hamilton who haven’t heard of this day, here’s your chance to go out and skate, and tell anybody you know who skates about it also.  When the day comes I’m sure it will be one great recreational day. Rain or shine. Even if there aren’t many places around Hot Springs to go and skate, I’m sure you’ll find one place you like.  Like: a skate park, parking lot, just a park, or even a school yard. Who says just a flight of stairs on the side of a building, or something as simple as an abandoned parking lot can’t be fun? As long as you’re skating and having fun, nothing should really even matter.