Attack of Danger Bay, May 20th-25th
After an entire year of anticipation and build-up, the time has once again rolled around for one of our communities truly legendary events to go off for the fifteenth straight year up in Pender Harbour, B.C. Of course we are talking about none other than Attack of Danger Bay which boasts the title for the longest running downhill event as well as for the first downhill skateboarding race held in Canada. We recently had the privilege of chatting with event organizer as well as curator of culture, Bricin “STRIKER” Lyons about what to expect out of this years festivities and how those of you lucky enough to barge this epic gathering can be best prepared for wildest weekend in downhill skateboarding.
Despite playing a critical role in the organizing and promotional aspects of this event from its conception, Striker admitted that despite his best efforts he has never actually won the epic race that he hosts. His original reason for putting on the event he told me only half way jokingly during our chat was because, “I thought I was the fastest and that I would win”. Recently however he has actually shifted his personal goal from simply winning an Attack at Danger Bay to sustaining the rootsy movement that he has fostered until it reaches its twentieth anniversary. To help make this dream a reality, the diversity of the event has been addressed now offering far more than just racing to keep all participants shredding and stoked. These additions through out the years have grown to include at this years gathering a slide competition (judged by STRIKER him self), a free ride day, full contact skate hockey, and live music throughout the entire weekend. Striker first conceived this as a time for skateboarders to get together and celebrate the uniqueness of our community and this years fiesta promises to fall right into line with that philosophy.
Carnage Corner claims another victim. Photo: CoastLongboarding
The longevity of this event is by no accident but certainly has been aided for the past ten years by the $8,000+ cash prizes offered for those brave enough to get down at the Bay. The loot is spread out amongst various divisions in an effort to spread the stoke and encourage top notch performances across the board. These divisions which will compete on two separate race courses range from Grand Masters all the way to Ladies, and even includes a Business Class bracket which facilitates those who remember to pick up their monkey suit from the dry cleaners before heading out to the race. This event was rooted in the concept of fun all the way back in 2001 and this universal theme still remains the main rallying point for all the event organizers.
With registration still OPEN and sign ups avaliable upon arrival, there is literally no excuse for any of you on the fence not to take the plunge and rage out at this race! Camping is provided to all participants which means bringing the proper gear will be critical to the enjoyment factor experienced by each individual (A.K.A. dress warm). This is almost a full week long event so also make sure to bring enough spare wheels, bearing, shoes, and boards to tackle the varying terrain as well as varying events that you will be participating in. From the horses mouth, Bricin “STRIKER” Lyons, in order to comfortably survive Attack of Danger Bay 2016, you will need, “A lighter, Caribou Beer, a knife, and a baseball bat…”
Hit up http://www.coastlongboarding.com/dangerbay.cfm for some of the more nitty gritty details of the event as well as the various event flyers. Its never to late to clear your calendar and make a sporadic trip up North for one of the finer spectacles downhill skating has to offer. This also is a unique chance to support one of the only events that stretches back to the rekindling of downhill racing within skateboarding, something that all of us should embrace and stand behind as a united community of shredders.