Check out our Go Skateboarding Day 2019 video. It’s amazing to have this record of a memorable day spent remembering our friend…
Go Skateboarding Day was truly overwhelming this year. We knew that we would be dedicating this day to the memory of Ben Raemers and wanted to make it a special celebration of his life at his favourite park. As soon as we reached out to everyone in our community for support the response was beautiful. Enjoy this video filmed and edited by Isaac Wilkinson, featuring Matt Beer, Ben Broyd, Aaron Wilmot, Rio Obyrne, Taylor Jones, Mark Churchill, Josef Szklaruk, osef Szklaruk, Jordan Thackeray, Ewen Bower, Diggs English, Stevie Thompson and Jack O’Grady. Thanks to everyone who came out on the day to make it the amazing event you can see above. Thanks to our distributors Shiner, Keen, Rock Solid, Dwindle, Out of Step and Converse, Palace, Nike SB, DC, New Balance and Supreme whose prize donations meant everyone left there with a smile on their face. Never in years of putting on things like this have we seen so many kids and parents so very stoked. Huge thanks to Vans whose unwavering support in the lead up and on the day ensured things went smoothly. It’s thanks to them that everyone was fed and watered and left with something to remember the day and Ben. They also hooked us up with Mark Churchill who smashed it on the microphone and kept things flowing. We couldn’t have done it without them. Big shout to Converse for making stickers for the day too. Thanks to Ben’s sister, friends and family and everyone who came to spread the love.
We wanted to send out thanks to Catherine Boyd at Tower Hamlets and Dave Hime at Victoria Park for understanding our event and supporting the execution of it. Dave was hugely helpful as was Sean the ranger and his crew. It was a pleasure to work alongside them. Our friend Susie Crome who works for Tower Hamlets was also instrumental in us having good relations with everyone and helped us on the day.
We also wanted to thank the Inspire Mental Health consortium for aligning with us on the day as their event took place next door. Also thanks to Grassroots who are a suicide prevention charity whose literature we added to the totes we gave out to everyone. Their Stay Alive app is a powerful tool everyone should be aware of. Go Skateboarding day was a touching celebration of Ben’s life, but he should have been there with us shredding that bowl like nobody else and it’s tragic that he wasn’t. Love your friends, tell them you love them. Ask them how they’re doing, ask twice. We have to be there for each other, come and speak to us at the shop if you need someone to listen, we’re here for you. What feels like a huge leap is an important step in turning things around which Grassroots and other people are helping to normalise. Talking is something we need to do more of. Friday was an outstanding display of the love our community has for each other. Sometimes we need to remember that, reach out, we’ve got you.
If you haven’t already please donate to the Go Fund Me to support Ben’s family at this difficult time. Thank you skateboarding. Thank you Ben. Your memory rolls forever and may there be many more jams with your spirit at their core.
Check out some Go Skateboarding Day action from years gone by. Links to the galleries and videos appear below…
Go Skateboarding Day 2019: Gallery / Video | Go Skateboarding Day 2016: Gallery
Go Skateboarding Day 2018: Gallery / Video | Go Skateboarding Day 2015: Gallery / Video
Go Skateboarding Day 2017: Gallery / Video | Go Skateboarding Day 2014: Gallery