Go Skateboarding Day
Encyclopedia
International Association of Skateboard Companies
The International Association of Skateboard Companies is a profit organization that was established in 1995. Its "goals are to promote skateboarding, increase participation, save its members money, and educate". Its members include skateboard manufacturers, distributors, skatepark designers and...
(IASC) to promote skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
. It is usually marked on June 21.
History
International Association of Skateboard Companies
The International Association of Skateboard Companies is a profit organization that was established in 1995. Its "goals are to promote skateboarding, increase participation, save its members money, and educate". Its members include skateboard manufacturers, distributors, skatepark designers and...
(IASC) to help make skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
more accessible to the world through various events held in major cities around the world. Beginning with the first celebration in 2004, GSD has since received Special Congressional Recognition from the US Congress for promoting the sport of skateboarding. This holiday is celebrated by millions of skaters around the world. 5boro Skateboards
5boro Skateboards
5boro Skateboards is a leading manufacturer of skateboards and accessories based in New York City. Adopting its name from the five boroughs of New York, was established in 1996 by long-time NYC skateboarder, Steve Rodriguez. Today Steve operates the brand with friend and fellow NYC skateboarder,...
founder/owner, Steve Rodriguez
Steve Rodriguez (5boro Skateboards)
Steve Rodriguez is the founder and owner of 5boro Skateboards. He is a long-time resident of New York City, and is widely recognized as the mayor of New York’s tight-knit skateboarding community...
, runs the New York City chapter of Go Skateboarding Day, and with thousands of participants in tow each year, GSD NYC is considered one of the largest single gatherings of skateboarders in the world and is now considered an official holiday.
2007 YouTube arrest incident
Some skaters celebrating Go Skateboarding Day have unfortunately had conflicts with the law in the past. One of the more notable incidents involved skaters Matt McCormack, Skylar Nalls, Robbie Brindley, Casey Canterbury and several other friends in Hot Springs, ArkansasHot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
where breaking the law got them in trouble with police. Baird and the involved skaters contend that the police used excessive force when they arrested them while the police maintain that the officer was enforcing a city ordinance. The incident made headlines when a Youtube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
video of the arrest was uploaded drawing over three million views and intense internet debate over the incident. There is some question about who was at fault, but many say that the Youtube video had been edited to portray the skateboarders as the victims. All of the skaters were found guilty.