What started as a grassroots idea to bring skateboarding into schools has grown into a high-energy, student-driven competition celebrating sports, creativity and community.
More than 50 students from across 20 central Alberta schools are expected to gather at the Glendale Skatepark in Red Deer on May 29 for the 8th annual GhostRaiders Invitational Skate Park Competition, hosted by Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School.
The event has been taking place for the last seven years and was spearheaded by Stephen Banks and the Delburne Ghost Ryders.
As the first interschool skate park competition in North America, Stephen continues to support the event.
Lindsay Thurber has since taken over the competition, rebranding it as the GhostRaiders Invitational.
“This is a great chance to bring students together and celebrate the culture, creativity, and athleticism behind skateboarding and action sports,” said RJ Willms, a teacher at Lindsay Thurber.
Participants in grades 7 to 9 will compete in the junior division, while students in grades 10 to 12 will compete in the senior division.
Guest judges, as well as Lindsay Thurber alumni who have pursued careers in skateboarding, will be in attendance.
As part of Lindsay Thurber’s Career and Technology Studies (CTS) program, students can participate in the "Business of Skateboarding course", for which they earn high school credits.
“The class starts in Grade 9 with the history and fundamentals of skateboarding,” said RJ. “As students' progress to Grades 10-12, they learn real business skills — everything from marketing and innovation to launching a global, skateboard-related business. These are skills that go far beyond the skatepark.”
Preparations for the GhostRaiders Invitational are well underway, with students taking a lead role.
“Students have been instrumental in organizing this event,” he said. “My Grade 9s will help run it, and our foods department will be operating the concession. Students will even go through a job application and interview process to run different parts of the day. It’s hands-on, authentic work experience at its best.”
Registration and warm-ups begin at 9 a.m., with the competition running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Participants will compete on skateboards, BMX bikes or scooters, and the public is welcome to attend the event.
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