Skateboarding in the Olympics
Skateboarding in the Olympics
Jamestown skateshop owner talks about the excitement around upcoming Games
The summer of 2020 held the promise of Olympics with brand new events. However, a worldwide pandemic suspended the games for a year and left people wondering if the world event was even a possibility. Fast forward to the summer of 2021, and the games are about to begin, with skateboarding added as a new feature in the summer games.
On Friday, July 23, 2021, the Summer Olympics will open with protective measures in place for athletes. A group of those Olympians will be carrying skateboards to Japan, taking part in opening ceremonies for the United States.
Jamestown native Pete Scheira, owner of Jamestown Skate Products (JSP), tells ellicott-villeNOW that the excitement for the games this year has been great for his business. “It’s definitely made us a lot busier,” he says. “Skateboarding in general is way more popular over the past couple years. Sales have gone up every year and this just brings a bigger light to it.”
Pete Scheira and JSP have been a staple of downtown Jamestown for 11 years now. Scheira fabricates his own skateboards for the shop, offers shop branded apparel, and even houses an indoor skating facility for people to enjoy and try their hand at this fast-moving sport.
“This year’s Olympics are definitely going to bring skateboarding to a broader audience,” Scheira continued. “People that normally wouldn’t watch a skateboarding event or be exposed to skateboarding are going to be able to see it. The Olympic Games will have two different disciplines - park skating (bowls and vert) and then street skating (stairs, handrails, benches).”
Scheira is very familiar with Ellicottville and their efforts to raise money to build a skatepark.
“They are working towards the same goal as we are here in Jamestown, through the same grant program. We’re six months ahead of where Ellicottville is,” explained Scheira. “It’s going to be great for Ellicottville, for us, and for all the other communities that are trying to build skateparks. It will be great for kids to have places to go where they can hang out with their friends, meet new friends, and have something active to do.”
Scheira sees the benefits of developing a skateboard park trail between Jamestown, Ellicottville and other communities - safe places that all ages will be able to enjoy for years to come. The Olympics acts as a catalyst, sparking even more curiosity into this already popular sport.
“Skateboarding in the Olympics … mind blowing! I’m super excited! I wish I could be there. It is amazing that this is happening!”
If you’d like to find out more about efforts to bring a skatepark to Ellicottville, check out sk8evl.com for the very latest and how to help/donate.
Jamestown Skate Products is a skateboarder owned and operated shop and indoor skatepark. In addition to the shop and park, owner Pete Scheira offers skate lessons and also presses his own decks, in a multitude of shapes and sizes. The first floor houses the JSP shop and board manufacturing, while the second floor features a 5,000 sq. ft. bowl plus street course and mini-ramp. JSP is located at 207 Pine St., Jamestown, NY 14701. Follow @jamestownskateproducts on IG/FB.