Longboarders to compete on mountain
A longboarder races down Giant's Head Mountain during 2008 competition.
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Updated: June 19, 2009 12:36 PM
Skateboarders will return to Giant’s Head Mountain this summer for an extreme-two-day competition in August.
The longboarding competition will take place Aug. 15 and 16 on the mountain for the second annual competition.
Dale MacDonald, recreation director for the municipality, said the organizers, from Rayne Longboards in Vancouver, are hoping to make the competition an annual event in Summerland.
MacDonald said the organizers have full insurance for the event.
They are anticipating 110 participants and 50 volunteers.
During the weekend, they will also rent the Summerland Rodeo Grounds to allow participants and volunteers camping spaces.
“It was a really well run event last year,” he said. “It went so well and everybody enjoyed it so much.”
For safety, organizers had fencing and bales in place. The participants wore helmets and protective clothing for the competitions.
MacDonald said part of the appeal for the organizers was the mountain course, which allowed a technical course and scenic views.
Andrew Monaghan, organizer of the event, said participants will come from across Canada, Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona.
While the course will follow the same route as last year, it will be structured differently.
Instead of riders going downhill individually, riders will race two at a time.
“It’s a little more intense, but the riders are asking for it,” he said.
During the races, they will reach speeds of up to 65 kilometres an hour.
Monaghan said Giant’s Head Mountain is a good site for longboarding since it demands good technical skills for skateboarders.
“The hill itself offers a great challenge,” he said. “Giant’s Head really offers a training ground to apply to other courses.”
Monaghan said organizers are still looking for local sponsors for the event.
The registration deadline and the deadline for sponsors is July 1.
For more information visit www.ridethegiant.ca or contact Monaghan at ridethegiant@gmail.ca.
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