The Guajatac
a Downhill Skateboarding and Music Festival is a perfect example of an organically grown event. What started in 2007 with a group of 25 skaters going downhill has become one of the most attended skateboarding events in the world. Where else can you find all the disciplines of skateboarding in one neat package that extends for four days and three nights in a tropical atmosphere with breathtaking views? A bright Caribbean sun, warm water, great weather and excellent beaches are what make this event on the enchanted Island of Puerto Rico (a U.S territory) so special.
Fueled by mass Island-wide media coverage, the Guajataca Downhill event continues to attract huge crowds, with an estimated 25,000 spectators in attendance in January 2015. In terms of competitors, this past event generated more than 300 registrations from all over the world. This included the top skaters in each discipline from Brazil, Colombia, France, Estonia, Canada, Santo Domingo, Australia, Peru, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Ecuador and numerous states of the USA including Florida, California, Colorado, New York, Texas, Arizona, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, Virginia, Delaware and many others. (Apologies if we forgot to mention your state or country!)
In recent years, a parade of worldwide luminaries, such as Scoot Smith, Douglas Dalua and Kevin Reimer (just to name a few), have amped the event to legendary status among the world DH The Guajataca Downhill Skateboarding and Music Festival is a perfect example of an organically grown event. What started in 2007 with a group of 25 skaters going downhill has become one of the most attended skateboarding events in the world.
Where else can you find all the disciplines of skateboarding in one neat package that extends for four days and three nights in a tropical atmosphere with breathtaking views? A bright Caribbean sun, warm water, great weather and excellent beaches are what make this event on the enchanted Island of Puerto Rico (a U.S territory) so special.
Our town mayor, Heriberto Velez, continues to be a driving force to secure the necessary permits and resources for this event, which many on the political structure of the Island consider a model to follow and recreate. The action kicks off at the skatepark event on Thursday, followed by the downhill eliminations on Friday. Slalom and sliding, events that always attract large crowds, take place on
Saturday. And the downhill finals take place on Sunday, with amateur age groups, boys and girls first, then women, men, and finally the pros, trying to get their share of many thousands in cash money and prizes. Thanks to an army of staff volunteers from the Pirate Surf Club and the production and sponsorship expertise of Guajataca X Inc., we have been able to maintain a delicate balance between the large crowds, sponsors, area residents, emergency services and racers to control the race route and enable the heats in all age groups to proceed smoothly.
The wipeouts are always spectacular, with racers paying dearly for any slight
mistake made on the course. The GDH 10th anniversary promises to be even better than last year’s. It’s truly a worldwide celebration of skateboarding culture. We will definitely close the town square again with rocking afterparties that will last into the morning hours and many related activities. If you plan to come, book your flight into the Aguadilla (BQN) airport early, and find a cozy place to stay near the beach. It fills up fast and you may have to sleep at the campground under the stars (not a bad option). Just try to get some sleep if you are planning to race, and you may get some of the prize money in any of the multiple disciplines we will be offering this year. See you there!
Thankyou to Michael Brooke and Concrete Wave Magazine,
Issue No. 4 VL 14 Winter Issue