The Grateful Shred event drew a sizable crowd at the Squamish skate park on Saturday, July 15.
The event had hundreds of people gathered already by early afternoon at the park near Howe Sound Secondary with the event scheduled to end late into the evening.
The main draw to the event is the skateboarding competition that is fit for all ages, genders and abilities but there are also local vendors, artists and food at the event.
“Our events are first and foremost skateboarding contests, but we’re different from your average. We include a local makers market, live painting, music, food & drink, and am [and] pro division skateboarding in one event, open and inclusive to all,” reads the website for the event.
Last year the contest awarded $7,500 in prize money to the competitors and donated a total of $1,500 to its charity partners, Squamish Arts and Indigenous Life Sports Academy.
This year the group added a mini ramp near the Spirit Creek Apartments to use while the event was taking place, which kept some of the competitors warmed up while they waited their turn.
The group also plans to hold a similar event in Toronto, according to its website
“Our goal is to make this an annual contest in multiple cities around Canada, raise funds for and add to our charity partners, build brand awareness and create a feel-good, community-led, inclusive event for skaters nationwide,” reads the website. “A contest that Canadian skaters look forward to year after year.”
For more information, check out skategratefulshred.com.
@squamishchief Check out the Grateful Shred event from Saturday. #squamishchief #gratefulshred #squamishskatepark #squamishskateshop #shredskatepark ♬ Deceptacon - Le Tigre
