By Jackson Fuller
The Wrightsville Beach Foundation will host its third annual Skateboard Day on Friday, May 30, in the Robert’s Grocery parking lot.
This free event was designed to raise awareness about the popularity of the sport and the importance of helmet safety.
“We have been trying to get a skate park for a few years now and it certainly has been a divided issue,” said Layne Smith, member of the Wrightsville Beach Foundation. “This event allows us to show just how passionate Wrightsville Beach can be about skateboarding, and we hope all the local skaters come out.”
The foundation is a private, nonprofit organization working to enhance the Wrightsville Beach community. Its members hope this event can prove the value of one day implementing a skate park in the town.
To provide a quality skateboard experience in a parking lot, local skaters, Permanent Vacation Skate and Surf Shop and 17th Street Skate shop will donate the rails and ramps for the event.
In addition to local skateboarders, the Sweetwater Surf team is expected to participate.
“We have a huge surfing community, and that somewhat goes hand-in-hand with skateboarding,” Smith said. “A lot of other beach towns have skate parks, and I think it would be a very positive step for the community.”
Dr. Noah Pierson, a Wrightsville Beach medical practitioner and skateboarder, will be present to speak about helmet safety to the kids for the second time.
“He talked a lot about safety devices such as helmets and guards,” said 12-year-old Dylan Rosbrugh, a past and future participant in skate day. “This year I’m excited to be skating those ramps again. I’m really hoping there’s a half-pipe there.”
Rosbrugh is a skater all across the Wilmington area, but he said he thinks putting a skate park in Wrightsville Beach would stop kids from skating on the streets of Wrightsville Beach, and also force kids to wear helmets in an organized area.
The event is sponsored by Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar and will take place from 4-7 p.m. There will be a raffle with a variety of prizes including two skateboards.
