More than 50 students to compete in skateboard invitational
High school students from across 40 different Central Alberta schools are set to hit the Glendale Skatepark in a competition that promises to showcase skills, tricks and talent.
The Lindsay Thurber Raiders Skateboarding will host the 7th annual GhostRaiders Invitational Skate Park Competition on May 31 at the Glendale Skatepark.
Registration and warmups begin at 9 a.m., with the competition running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will compete on skateboards, BMX bikes, or scooters.
The competition has been taking place for the last six years and was spearheaded by Stephen Banks and the Delburne Ghost Ryders. It was the first interschool skate park competition in North America, and Stephen continues to volunteer his time to this unique event. Lindsay Thurber has since taken over the competition, and rebranded it to be the GhostRaiders Invitational.
“This will be the first SM调教社区 version of the competition,” said RJ Willms, Teacher at Lindsay Thurber.
Participants in Grades 7-9 will compete in the junior division, while students in Grades 10-12 will compete in the senior division. Guest judges from Industry Snow and Skate, as well as Lindsay Thurber alumni who have gone on to have careers in skateboarding will be in attendance. Businesses from the community including Industry, Wipeout, and Save-On-Foods have also made significant contributions to ensure the day is a success.
As part of Career and Technology Studies options at the school, students at Lindsay Thurber have the opportunity to take part in a ‘Business of Skateboarding Course’, which they can gain credits for.
“The class starts in Grade 9 and we go through the history of skateboarding, the basics of skills, and the basics of the features,” said RJ. “As we get into Grades 10-12, we have taken business modules from marketing and management, and enterprise and innovation, and then created these modules to apply to skateboarding. Students create full business plans and marketing plans. From Grades 10-12 it takes students through how to start a business in the skateboard industry, and then those skills are transferable well beyond the skateboard industry.”
As for the GhostRaiders Invitational, RJ said they are excited and busy preparing.
“Students have been a huge part in planning for this day,” he said. “My Grade 9s will be helping run the event on the day of. We have collaborated with our Foods Department so they will be running the concession and lunch program. Our students will apply for the jobs they want for the day, and we’ll be interviewing them to help give them that real world, authentic work experience. It’s really cool.”
The community is invited to attend the GhostRaiders Invitational.
