Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. People across the northern hemisphere will be marking the occasion with events, rituals and general celebrations. But for others, June 21 means something completely different.
Today marks Go Skateboarding Day, a worldwide celebration of skateboarding. Since it began in 2003, this global event has been gaining popularity every year.
Established by the International Association of Skateboard Companies, Go Skateboarding Day is designed to promote the sport, raise awareness of it and give skateboarders a chance to enjoy a whole day of their favourite activity.
But it’s not just about skateboarding itself, the event will see people hold fundraisers and parties as well as staging protests and demos – all in the name of this skilful, extreme sport.
If you live in a big city, the chances are that you’ll see more than a few skateboarders whizzing past you today. But where are the best cities in the world for skateboarding?
California
Generally considered the birthplace of skateboarding, California is somewhat of a Mecca for skater boys and girls. Legend has it that surfers put roller-skate wheels onto pieces of wood for something to do when the seas were too calm.
The sport grew from there, and cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco still offer some of the best skateboarding in the world.
New York
The New York chapter of Go Skateboarding Day is one of the biggest in the world, and sees thousands of participants each year.
Skateboarding has gone hand-in-hand with the urban subculture of New York for many years, and today different celebrations are being held all over the city.
London
London has its fair share of skateboarding locations too. One of the most well-known and recognisable is the South Bank, which is home to an al fresco skate park.
Several events and skateboarding demonstrations are taking place today as part of the global celebrations, so go and see just what these unsung sportsmen are capable of!
(Images: Dipsey, Andre Engels, Exey Panteleev)
