The 2013 Summer at the Skatepark free drop in skateboard coaching sessions have had a successful season, with almost 300 participants learning to skateboard at the Castlegar Rotary Skatepark so far.
On Friday, Sept. 6, from 1 to 6 p.m., there will also be a celebration of the 10th year of the skatepark's existence.
"It's just about coming to the skatepark and having some fun to finish off summer," said organizer and instructor Ty Smith. "There will be some cake and speeches from local dignitaries and music… it will be a good time. We're at 297 participants, so close to 300. Come on down and enjoy yourselves."
With funding from BC Gaming and the Columbia Basin Trust, local not-for-profit Kootenay Family Place will be helping to host the party. Besides the speeches and cake, there will also be prizes and demos.
Chris Huxley, an airplane mechanic from Chilliwack who is in the area working for the forest service, has been to the skatepark on a number of occasions and was getting some exercise on Wednesday, Sept. 4 on a homemade board.
"It took about a week of evenings," said Huxley. "It's fibreglass, honeycomb, carbon fibre and Kevlar. It's a typical composite build up where you're using vacuum bagging, epoxy, resin and that kind of stuff."
Huxley said he has been skating since he was a teenager.
"It's a nice park and is fun," he said. "I'm glad the community is encouraging skateboarding. It's a great exercise for kids and keeps them out of trouble."
Describing the skatepark as a special place, Smith said they've had a remarkable summer with great weather and he was blown away by the amount of participants who came out to learn how to skateboard.
For more, be sure to check out the Friends of the Castlegar Skatepark Facebook page.