Professor Paul G. Schmitt recently took a moment to celebrate more than 20 years since Don Brown declared June 21 as Go Skateboarding Day.
Along with sharing an old photo from one of his favorite June 21 sessions, Schmitt talked about how much the annual celebration has grown over the years and why it still means so much to skateboarders.
According to Schmitt, it has been over two decades since Don Brown declared June 21 as Go Skateboarding Day, joking that the occasion is also Brown's Father's Day because of the role he played in creating it.
Since then, the celebration has grown into an annual event that brings together skateboarders from all over the world, with parks, shops, brands, and local communities organizing sessions to celebrate skateboarding.
Schmitt also shared a memory from five years ago when he and a group of fellow skateboarding enthusiasts took on a 26 mile ride that was mostly downhill from Cook's Corner to Monarch Beach.
The session gave everyone a chance to spend the day skating together while enjoying one of Southern California's scenic routes.
Looking back at how things have changed, Schmitt said it is amazing to see Go Skateboarding Day become such an important occasion for the worldwide skateboard community.
Every year, thousands of skateboarders head outside to skate with friends, attend local events, and welcome new people into the community.
Even with all the attention surrounding June 21, Schmitt made it clear that, for him, every day is Go Skateboarding Day.
While the date gives everyone a reason to celebrate together, his message was that skateboarding is something worth enjoying all year long rather than just on one day.
This year's celebration included plenty of time on his board as well.
Schmitt said he skated with the local crew at Linda Vista Skatepark before joining the La Costa Racing Team at the PHP Pump Track for a casual race gathering.
It was another fun way to spend the day surrounded by fellow skateboarders and friends.
Schmitt's post was not only about looking back at the history of Go Skateboarding Day. It was also about appreciating the people who helped get it started and seeing how a simple idea has grown into an annual tradition enjoyed by skateboarders across the globe.
June 21 is a chance to skate together, meet new friends, and celebrate the activity they love, even if, as Schmitt says, every day is already Go Skateboarding Day.
Professions Schmitt Posted:
"It’s been over 20 years since @don_brown declared #GoSkateboardingDay as June 21st so it’s his FathersDay
This was Goskateboarding day five years ago on our way on a 26 mile mainly downhill ride from Cook’s corner to #MonarchBeach with my fellow #SkateboardingEnthusiast
It’s amazing to she how this day has become a focal point for our #SkateboardCommunity around the world
Just to be clear everyday is Go Skateboarding Day, but today we celebrate it regardless
I got to session with local crew @linda.vista.skatepark and the joined @lacostaracingteam @ #PHPpumptrack for a casual race gathering."
