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Skateboarding in memorial

Over a steady stream of music flowing out of speakers, skaters of all ages and capabilities took to the park.


Over a steady stream of music flowing out of speakers, skaters of all ages and capabilities took to the park – the centre of the crowd’s attention at the first annual Skate 4 Dave skate competition, in memory of local skater Dave Patterson, who took his own life earlier this year.

The competition went off so well, skaters were pleasantly surprised.

“It was amazing," skater Daymeyien Brekke said.

“I never though it would be that good or there would be that many people at it.

“They put in a lot of effort.”

With such a successful effort, organizers are now looking to the future.

"We'll definitely be doing it again next year. It gives the skaters something to look forward to," competition organizer Tanya Morneau said.

The competition featured two categories: advanced and intermediate, with the beginners category being phased out due to lack of competitors.

First through third in both categories were awarded a variety of prizes donated by event sponsors, ranging from decks to wheels, hoodies to sunglasses.

A prize was also handed out for the best trick.

The event raised $2009.15. Organizers plan to put $500 towards a tree and a plaque in remembrance of Dave Patterson, the namesake of the tournament, with the rest of the money going towards an addition to the skate park.

There was also a petition to expand the park, which garnered 135 signatures.

Ryan Gosselin, a sponsored skater who had been a close friend of Patterson, made the trek from Ontario to attend the competition.

Morneau said Gosselin’s performances were crowd favourites.

“It was a highlight of their day,” she said.

Gosselin capped off his performance doing a back flip off the quarter pipe, landing on his feet on the ledge.

As a tribute to Patterson, Gosselin rode his last session of the night on the board Dave had bought before he died.

In between formal skating sessions, rapper Exile and DJ Matt Harrington from Zero Hour, kept the crowd pumped up, while the diehard skaters kept skating.

The organizers would like to thank the competitors that came out and the sponsors that made it possible.