After a string of publicised longboard accidents, skating bans and negative media coverage last spring, the BC longboarding community finally has something to look forward to, a dedicated longboard park in White Rock.
Let’s face it, no matter what you do you can’t stop skateboarding. Accidents happen in any sport and it’s only the best interest for everyone to create a safe environment for longboarding. But of course, we can’t expect everyone to think that way.
Lucky for us, we have Constable Troy Derrick to help us push for something positive in the BC longboarding scene. I mean come on, how often do you come across a skateboarding mountie? Read more about Troy here:
Over the past few months, Troy and other reps from the longboarding industry (Landyachtz, Longboarder Labs, Ultimate Distribution, Concrete Wave, Protest Skateboards), have been working together with the Surrey Parks Board and RCMP to help put together a longboard park in White Rock.
Plans for this longboard park are moving forward and have already been approved, starting with a pilot project to convert an existing park pathway into a dedicated longboard track. While this will be mainly targeted to beginners, don’t worry there is a phase two!
A few locations are being considered for phase two but nothing concrete yet. I can tell you this though, it will certainly be something with steep and long winding paths.
So what does this mean for the longboarding community? Aside from not having to deal with traffic or getting kicked out, this entire project should help bring some positivity into the eyes of the public. Hopefully, this will set an example for other cities to follow (yeah we’re looking at you North Van!).
I for one am stoked for this and will be trying my best to work with Longboarder Labs, Troy and the other dedicated people involved with making this project happen.
Stay tuned for more updates! In the meantime, remember to skate safe and show the public what longboarding is all about! Now is the time for the entire community to get together behind this project and show their support.