On Saturday, Aug. 21, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Old Littleton Road, the town of Harvard will be host to the Central Mass. Downhill, Flatland & Slide Jam Longboarding Competition. The event will be the first of its kind in Central Massachusetts and has drawn interest from athletes as far away as New York and New Jersey, as well as sponsorship from local and large-scale companies.
Longboarding is a variety of skateboarding that, as one may guess, requires a longer board than the shortboards used by trick riders like Tony Hawk. Longboards come in, and may be ridden in, a variety of styles, but all emphasize higher speed and maneuverability than shortboards. The sport evolved in California during the 1950s, inspired by surfing. It has experienced a recent resurgence, thanks to innovation in board and gear design as well as the great connector—the Internet.
Some people may initially respond negatively to the idea of skateboarding as a whole. Longboarders in general, however, do not subscribe to the rebellious, destructive attitude that earned shortboarding, and thus skateboarding, a bad reputation. While shortboarders have been known to ignore safety precautions—like wearing a helmet—the longboarding community has consistently encouraged its members to wear helmets, gloves, and elbow and knee pads, so they can protect themselves as they push their skills to the limit.
In the last three years, this unique and thrilling sport has grown rapidly in Harvard. Today, more than a dozen young people in town practice and enjoy longboarding. Harvard’s spectacular topography is ideal for the sport. Skaters “bomb,” or ride, down steep local roads like Prospect Hill, Still River Depot, West Bare Hill, Woodside, Old Littleton and many more.
Saturday’s competition will take place on Old Littleton Road, which will be closed to traffic from Pinnacle to the center of town to ensure the safety of both skaters and drivers. The skaters will compete in a number of events: a downhill race to the finish on the steepest part of the road, a best trick competition, a flatland component, and a longest slide challenge. Sliding, or free riding, features athletes using their momentum to skid their wheels sideways down the hill, spinning all the way around or stopping like a snowboarder. Longboarders, however, also make use of gloves with durable plastic pucks on the palms which they slide along the pavement to control their slides.
Harvard resident and rider Mike Girard is responsible for organizing the event and was inspired by the growth of longboarding in Harvard and online. “There are a few main reasons I decided to organize this event,” he says. “The sport has been expanding rapidly nationwide, and Harvard has been a sort of microcosm for me of this scene. When I started skating with the Stones, we saw no other riders in town. Now, it’s rare to skate in town without seeing another skater somewhere. The competitive level has been pushed, the community has grown, and I started to realize that a number of great skaters were in Central Mass. The idea popped into my head as other skaters messaged me, saying how they ‘had no idea there were other riders from the area’ and how they really wanted to come skate the hills in my YouTube videos. I wanted to have a chance to spread the stoke to all these skaters, so I figured a bigger skate session would be a great way to bring everyone together and have a great time skating some fun local spots. As the idea and interest level grew, I decided to turn it into a full-scale event and start seriously organizing it.”
Sponsorship for the event has been arranged by Girard. Loaded Boards and their wheel production company Orangatang, as well as Nashawtuck Boards and Last Caress Tattoo Studio have all backed the competition. Additional sponsors include BC Longboards, Eastern Boarder, and Bustin Boards. Loaded and Orangatang will be supplying prizes, including boards, sliding gloves, wheels, T-shirts, and stickers. A raffle for prizes will also be held.
Last Sunday a preview of the potential of the Central Mass. Longboarding Competition occurred on Still River Depot Road. Riders from skateboard companies Soda Factory and Nashawtuck Boards, as well as Max Dubler, a member of Skate House Media (www.skatehousemedia.com), showed off their skills alongside the Harvard locals. Dubler professed his admiration for the hills of Harvard and most of all the surprising strength of the Central Mass. longboarding scene. A video of the pre-ride can be found on the competition’s Facebook page.
The entry fee for competitors is $10, but spectating is free and encouraged. All contestants will be required to wear safety gear, and hay bales will line the downhill course. This event will be an excellent opportunity for people with all levels of interest to learn more about the sport. Those who have never seen a longboard can learn what it is all about, and beginners can get pointers from the pros. The Harvard Police Department and the citizens of Old Littleton Road have shown overwhelming support for the event.
To learn more about the event, contact Mike Girard at emgeemann@gmail.com, or visit the event page by searching Central MA Freeride on Facebook. Girard’s videos can be found at www.youtube.com/emgeemann.
Garrett Cosgrave is a Harvard resident and longboarder. He is currently living in Montreal, writing for McGill University’s webzine at www.leacocks.com.