this year we missed out on being able to see the gathering of Skaters on World Go Skate day in June.
Obviously due to the whole Covid situation a large gathering of Skateboarders was not going to be allowed. I love going to see it every year even though I am not a skater myself as it's such a fun gathering.
4 years ago while on my monthly trip for supplies to the city we saw hundreds of skateboarders taking over an entire section of road in what is normally bumper to bumper traffic. I broke out into a big grin but was wondering what the hell was going on.
The guys that do the printing for my merchandise at the dive shop are Skaters and have their own line of clothing " Think Positive Wear". They are super cool guys and as they are into their own scene and also have their own clothing line they care about the product and I noticed this carries over into their work on my stuff. I messaged my friend Airwin at the shop and said what the fuck is going on with all the skaters. He said dude its go skate day.
So now every year I head up to watch film and photograph it all as its pure joy to see and you can't help but get a lift from it.
The gathering starts at the Fuente Circle in Cebu City and the route they take through the city changes every year.
While they are waiting for everyone to arrive they of course start doing tricks and have fun hanging out.
Fun to watch
And then at the appointed time they let loose and reclaim the streets.
This is the part I love the most.
Literally hundreds of skaters taking over the streets and the joy is infectious.
They are feeling empowered by the sheer numbers and the joy radiates out from their smiley faces and you can't help but get caught up in it all and you find yourself grinning right back at them.
You feel the energy
And the sheer joy in the celebration of being able to skate the streets surrounded by all your skater bredren.
Another very noticeable thing about the whole day is just how friendly they all are.
I am an old grey foreigner and the outpouring of genuine friendliness is really hard not to notice.
It does make me wish I could skate. Maybe I should give it a go and join in next time.
I'd love to be part of this and experience it from a board rolling through the streets of Cebu surrounded by happy skaters.
So next June 21st if you are in Cebu City and you see a bald foreigner with a grey beard in a Scubahead t shirt on a skateboard rolling down Osmena Boulevard
That'll be me 😆
But if you are in the City on that date it's worth checking out. I guarantee it will make you smile
I hope you enjoyed this post as it's also a reminder of the human spirit which is what is going to get us all through this testing time.
Stay safe out there people wherever you may be on this planet of ours. Take care
