All Aboard: Granville's Green Ramp
The Vancouver Skateboard Coalition (VSBC) carries the mission to support the city’s skateboarding community by championing accessible and inclusive skate spaces. Through advocacy and community-driven initiatives, VSBC works to increase, improve and maintain skateparks across Vancouver.
The All Aboard Green Ramp is one of their most successful projects, due to a niche market, it showcases the need for a publicly accessible, dry, well-lit and safe skateboarding facility during Vancouvers wet winter months.
Located in a covered and fenced area in the Ocean Artworks sector of Granville Island, the All Aboard Green Ramp is in its sixth year of establishment. Running every year from November until the end of February, the ramp is free to use and staffed by VSBC volunteers who create an inviting environment for skaters of all levels.
The coalition has stressed the need for creating an approachable atmosphere in order to cast a wider net on all kinds of skaters, from beginners to experts, from men to women, the volunteers provide non-judgemental tips to all.
Sam Shone
The beginning to Sam’s journey with the coalition was unexpected but turned into a fulfilling one. She began volunteering in 2018 and two years later, Sam found herself unexpectedly elected to the coalition's board after other members encouraged her to fill one of the two open positions. Starting the job, like many skaters, she hit the ground running. She began as a director, but quickly made an impression as she earned the role of Vice President this past year.
Reflecting on her experience, Sam emphasized that the coalition’s success in achieving its mission depends heavily on community effort and a shared idea of giving back, values that helped Sam get involved in the first place. “I saw it as an opportunity for me to give back to something that had given back to me."
Sam was quick to add that none of this would be possible if it weren’t for Granville Island showing their support by providing the space for free.
Mark Igliotti
Mark has been skateboarding for over thirty years and has spent the last decade living in Vancouver on and off.
“This is my first time skating the ramp in a few years,” said Mark. “But I always love coming here for the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to skate something different and especially now that we're in the wetter months with shorter days, having a dry, lit space is really something special.”
Currently a professor of painting at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, the dedicated skater says the connection between his career and the sport is clear: ‘There’s a lot about skateboarding that lends itself to expression, and I’ve made different projects that have overlapped with skateboarding.”
Kim Regala
For Kim, the Green Ramp is more than just a skateboarding space, it’s a community hub that shoots down stereotypes that has lingered over the sport for years.
“I feel like [the Green Ramp] is unique,” said Kim. “The stereotype with what a skate space is, it’s very male-dominated. It can also be very intimidating for a beginner skater, but here, you’ve got a mix of beginners, people somewhere in between, and really, really good skaters. But at the end of the day, everyone’s just cheering you on.”
The importance of this centrally located skate park goes beyond camaraderie. Its covered, well-lit setup, especially during Vancouver’s rainy months, is crucial. Mainly, it’s just simply hard to come by. The nearest indoor skating facility is nearly an hour drive out of town. Without it, skaters could be forced into unsafe alternatives like parking lots or streets.
“Skating is more than people chilling at a skate park smoking weed– it’s really not that,” said Kim. “It’s a sport that brings people together. For me, it’s therapeutic.”
AUSTIN LANGEVIN
Skateboarding has been a passion for Austin since he first hopped on a board in middle school. After seeing other kids riding down the sidewalk, he knew he needed to be a part of whatever that was: “I just kind of hopped on a board one day and never went back.” Now 28, Austin reflected on the fact that the difficult learning curve was what actually kept him going.
“It’s pretty challenging, especially at first. That’s kind of the tough time when you start— getting over that hump. But it was exciting for me, so I think that helped me stick with it.”
Originally from Winnipeg, Austin has lived in Vancouver for six years, becoming involved with the city’s skateboarding scene over the past three to four. Today, Austin finds himself volunteering whenever he can with the VSBC, often helping at the Green Ramp. Whether it’s making sure everyone is signed in, or going to meetings to contribute to larger discussions on the future of the sport.
Austin shares a common theme with many of the skaters who frequent the Green Ramp, giving back will move the needle forward.
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