Plan Ahead for your next Mental Health Day

By: Dawn Marie Fichera

Need a good reason to take a mental skate day from work? How about the  eighth annual Go Skateboarding Day, that kicks off the start of summer worldwide? That’s right slackers. The International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) announced the 8^th annual Go Skateboarding Day to take place on the first day of summer, June 21^st, 2010.

Back in 2003, a couple of skaters from Huntington Beach Pier thought it would be a swell idea to get together and skate to celebrate the coming of summer. Eight years and millions of participants later, the skateboarding community still thinks its a great idea.  And it is.

Before you think it’s all about riding, there is a human interest side to this story. Go Skateboarding Day works to honor and unite participants in the spirit of skateboarding and has prompted cities to build skate parks, promoted local skate shops, and raised money for local charities. The event continues to gain momentum each year as an official holiday and 2010 is sure to bring great achievements for the skateboarding community.

Don Brown, Chairman of the IASC Board of Directors and Vice President of Marketing at Sole Technology has this to say, “We see Go Skateboarding Day] continuing to get the global skateboard family together to share their passion, creativity and fun. As long as this happens mission accomplished.” Amen.

For more information, go to http://www.goskateboardingday.org/ or Facebook, to find local Go Skateboarding Day events. You’ll find  flyers, information packs, and other materials to help create your own events and spread the word on the website.