RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CAThe International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) announced Tuesday that the 5th Annual International Go Skateboarding Day (GSD) will be held this year on the first day of summer, Saturday, June 21, 2008.
Go Skateboarding Day, founded by IASC, is recognized internationally by skateboarders, skateboard companies and the industry as a whole as an official holiday and continues to grow exponentially each year; both the number of people who celebrate it and the number of events taking place in its honor around the globe.
"This day allows anyone, devoted skater or first-timer, to celebrate the exhilarating spirit of one of the most influential activities in the world, skateboarding," said John Bernards, executive director of IASC and GSD spokesperson. "For this one day, you can let loose and skate as a communityit's your holiday. Whether you carve hills on a longboard or grind at the park, it doesn't matterif it has four wheels, ride it!"
On GSD, skateboard industry manufacturers and retailers, along with influential and professional riders help to fuel the energy and growth of skateboarding by producing events in different cities across the globe. Much credit is also due to the millions of kids that spread the word of the holiday and create their own events. Skateboarders can look forward to a handful of new initiatives this year including: a series of collectable postersthe first has been created by pro-skateboarder and Toy Machine Skateboards and RVCA artist, Ed Templeton; a retail window decorating contest; new branding; and countless new events that leaders in the skate industry and various skate companies/skate shops will execute around the world.
"I am honored to create the first poster for GSD," said Templeton. "Millions of skaters taking to the streets depicts a powerful statement and if I can inspire and encourage more to do so then I have done my job."
This year the holiday falls on a Saturday, which means no school, no work, no excuse not to get outside and ride. The excitement for GSD is consistently growing worldwide and events are currently being planned to take place in Portugal, Africa, Czech Republic, Italy, France, Netherlands, Japan, England, Australia and Canada as well as hot spots in the United States such as Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Tampa, Dayton, Dallas and New York City.
Last year, millions of skateboarders participated in more than 600 events held worldwide and 800,000 people logged onto goskateboardingday.org. Highlights from GSD 2007 included numerous events sponsored by IASC members: Alien Workshop, Active Board Shop in Ohio who hosted an autograph signing session with pro-skaters, a BBQ and a skate jam; the KCDC Skate Shop and 5Boro in Brooklyn, NY brought together more than 2,500 people to skate together throughout the day. Element premiered their new team video at over 350 locations and held a BBQ and skate jam at their headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Check out how you can get involved or create your own event this year at goskateboardingday.org or skateboardiasc.org.