Or Skate or Die: an old school skateboard extravaganza.

In what could possibly the last skateboard event in Vancouver this side winter; Saturday saw a gaggle of peeps gather to celebrate the days of skateboard lore. Everyone met at China Creek, the oldest skateboard park in Vancouver and then took to the streets to session a few spots before ending up at Strathcona Park for a good old-fashioned launch ramp session and a freestyle demo by none other than Canadian Freestyle legend Kevin Harris.

Originally, I had intended to do a video article on the event for King Shit, but I was unable to track down our camera. In the spirit of kicking it old school, I figured I’d do an olden times style written piece on the event accompanied by photographs. This didn’t work out too hot.

In the midst of travelling from spot one to spot two I stopped for a coffee. By the time I left the coffee shop, our mob of skateboarders in period attire were nowhere to be found. I did what I felt was most logical; I went on to Strathcona figuring they would be there in no time. They didn’t show up for at least an hour. Thus, my King Shit article was down the toilet.  Nonetheless, here are some photos from the day.

Adam Hopkin's old school whip

Some guys we saw on the way to spot number two. I believe they were heading to an unlreated old school snowboard event.

It would have taken nearly 5 months for this set up to get boring in 1986

Kevin Kelly getting rad on the launch ramp. Don't fret, he early grabbed into this backside 180.

Seeing as it was a chilly day, this *Frigid Air was fitting.

Kevin McCoubrey brought out these Airwalk Prototypes from the vault. Here's his product review 15 years later:

I’m over it. They’re like bricks on your feet. I can’t believe dudes used to skate in these and that’s probably why dudes in the eighties sucked, because they were wearing shoes like this. The heel is so thick you can’t even feel your board.

Kevin takes advantage of the triple thick heels on his prototypes.

* The first attempt at a non-endemic brand trying to weasel into skateboarding was by the Appliance manufacturer Frigidaire. They paid several professional skaters to subliminally plant product placement into trick names. The "Frigid Air" was the only one that stuck. It was originally referred to as the reverse judo.