In the tradition of major, world-renowned skateboarding events in Greater Vancouver – including Slam City Jam and EXPO 86’s Transworld Skateboard Championship – the Generations Skateboard Society proudly announces the first 7 Generations Cup, an Indigenous-hosted pro skateboarding event taking place June 10-12 at Langley Events Centre.
Taking inspiration for its name from the Kwantlen First Nations’ seven laws of life – health, happiness, humbleness, generations, generosity, forgiveness and understanding – the 7 Generations Cup features a variety of events across its three-day span, including an all-terrain contest, a freestyle cup, trick battles, and a competition marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Mini Ramp Challenge, a first-of-its-kind event that took place in Richmond in 1987. There will also be Pow Wow dancers, Indigenous drummers and singers, a Basket Repatriation Ceremony, Indigenous vendors and more.
Brenda Knights of the Kwantlen First Nation and Bentwood Skateboards is a Board Member of the Generations Skateboard Society and is helping to ensure strong Indigenous leadership and inclusion. “There will be no doubt that guests of the event will have the opportunity to have both an Indigenous experience as well as enjoy a fantastic skateboard event,” says Knights. As part of its mission to be as inclusive an event as possible, organizers have also taken steps to ensure gender equity and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The event will also feature a newly built version of a famous ramp that was originally designed by pro skaters Kevin Harris and Lance Mountain. Harris, a world-record holder and Canada’s first pro skater, is a board member of Generations Skateboard Society and a key organizer of the event. Harris also cofounded the legendary Richmond Skate Ranch that helped launch many of Canada’s top pros. “I’m super excited to be a part of this event and to help bring back a major skateboard competition to British Columbia,” he says. “I hope it will inspire the next generation of skateboard pros.”
As well, the 7 Generations Cup marks the return of Jason Bothe (a.k.a. Renee Renee) as emcee. Bothe is an icon in the skateboarding world for his emceeing at various events and on FUEL TV, as well as having appeared in a number of skate-oriented films and music videos.
Jay Balmer, Chair of the Board for the Generations Skateboard Society, says, “We’re very excited to invite the skateboarding world back to British Columbia. We have a deep history of skateboarding around Vancouver, and we intend to make the 7 Generations Cup into an annual event that brings the skate community together.”
The 7 Generations Cup takes place Friday, June 10 to Sunday, June 12 at Langley Events Centre (7888 200 St.). For spectators, single-day tickets start at $26; 3-day passes start at $78. Purchase tickets and find more event information at 7genskate.com. This is an all-ages event.