All it took was a little bit of planning.
It didn't work out well before apparently, but it sure did this time.
"We planned it really well," offers Karl Niedzielski, co-event co-ordinator.
The Freedom Tour Skate Jam took its show on the road for the first time after holding it here in Yorkton for the past three years.
Tucker Chornomud, Skate Jam co-organizer and representative of B3Xtreme Skate Shop in Yorkton, said it was awesome.
"It's a great success. This is Esterhazy's first skate tour.
Almost 100 people took part in the day, including both skaters of all ages and spectators.
"I'd like to say 100," he said around the midway mark of the day.
Chornomud said that bringing the Tour to Esterhazy had been part of his plan "for years" and he said he was really excited to watch it all unfold.
"We get to show off," he said with a sly grin on his face. Being able to put on this show here "means everything to us".
He told the paper that a similar type skate show had been tried previously in Esterhazy however "they didn't get any support from the city/town".
There was plenty of support for B3Xtreme, he observed that day.
"They're really excited," he said of the locals that came out. "It's what we do."
Of the 100 or so people that came out, Chornomud guesses that 20-25 made the trip from Yorkton.
Chornomud and some friends from B3Xtreme were out that morning around 10 a.m., getting things set up for their first road trip as a skate crew. He said it was really good to see so many people coming out to support them. Among them was Brenda Redman, recreation director Esterhazy.
"They've done an Extreme-ly great job," she offered when asked for her opinion of the day.
"I'm happy with it," adding that it's the first time in at least three years that Esterhazy has been able to hold a skateboard event that went well.
"We put some money into it, " she said with a smile. Redman also added that it's something she will continue to support as long as she can.
"Do we ever!," she told the paper. "This has been what our goal was (for a long time)."
She also noted that skateboarding is on the rise in Esterhazy even with "vibrant clubs" currently on the go for other sports, she said.
She added that she was impressed with Yorkton's B3Xtreme as well as Chornomud and the others who brought the Tour into Esterhazy for a day.
"Tucker's amazing," she observed. "We're lucky to enlist his services.
Ms. Redman added that she called Chornomud's store and made the initial request.
"I'm hoping this will be permanent," she remarked.
FREEDOM TOUR PART III
Now that Chornomud and pals have kicked started a Tour, they've made one stop and now they have plans for a third stop. He said they will be heading down to Wawota at the end of next month.
