W4L from Joshua Swanson on Vimeo.
What’s amazing about real skateboarding is the community that it creates between those that are in the mix. When we think of strong scenes, the Medicine Hat area is a definite way-point on the map because of their strong commitment to helping each other out, and not stopping there. Following the tragic end of their indoor park , there has been an instant effort growing to get something happening and the dream is now coming to life. This has lead to more opportunities which they’ve created to help others out in many ways which is the awesome example here of a group of skaters working together in a positive light.
On December 13th, Medicine Hats local West 49 skate team partnered with the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association to do a video premier. The premier had 101 people out and raised $1500 towards a new indoor skatepark and meeting place for the association after the former Central indoor park collapsed last January due to record snowfall. The West 49 crew filmed over the spring and summer to put together this video dedicated to Central, West for Life. These guys really don’t wait for anyone or anything to happen, they just get busy and do what they see is best for their community.
The Medicine Hat Skateboard Association is an organization which was formed as a way to change the sometimes negative image of skateboarding, and to positively effect the local and global community. Not only has the association been involved in skateboarding with annual indoor and outdoor skateboard competitions, they have worked hard to support community organizations such as the food bank, the womens shelter, homeless shelters and local arts centres. When the MHSA isn’t organizing local events and fundraisers they are putting their hard work and talents towards international endeavors including one to LA and Mexico to build homes for the homeless. As well, the association took on a huge trip to Nigeria, Africa with 40 skaters to drill water wells, refurbish a school and feed the homeless among many other projects in their 2 weeks there. With projects such as these, including western Canadas largest indoor skatepark Central (designed and built all by local skaters), where teens served as instructors and mentors for young upcoming skaters in “Skate Skool”, the MHSA has been building up great skateboarders who are also strong leaders in their community. Overall the skateboard association desires to show that a passion for skateboarding can be joined to thinking outside yourself and setting goals, to make a huge positive impact in your world.”
The “W4L” or “West 4 Life” video was shot to showcase local Medicine Hat skaters but also was dedicated to Central, The MHSAs former indoor skatepark. “We premiered the video Dec 13th to share it with the skateboard community and those who support us, but also as a fundraiser towards a new indoor skatepark, which we are making big strides towards and hope to see happen early in the new year” says Josh Swanson, the videos lead hand. W4L features both West 49 flow riders and store staff Cam Gillingham, Nolan Hehr, Ruairi Chisholm, Curtis Windover and Josh Swanson, as well as friends, Ryan Sox, Reis Burrows and Tito Ferretty. What’s more legit than store staff that skate, watch them here as they put in hours on the streets.
Most Canadian skaters never set foot in the Central Hub but have heard of it no doubt, and have a deep respect for crews like this that hold it down for what’s good in their town and beyond. Check out the video and hit them up on their facebook to give them feedback and support. Skaters helping Skaters, what’s better than that, and to be down with your sponsors like these guys are is a two way street.
MHSA FB PAGE LINK: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4228444412
MHSA SITE: http://www.medhatskate.com/
