There is plenty to criticize about the International Olympic Committee. But at least it is trying to stay current with the addition of sports such as surfing, wall climbing and skateboarding for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.
The Island has top-level surfers and wall climbers who are eyeing Tokyo. But don鈥檛 count out the skateboarders, who will be on display today in the 16th annual Vee Dub competition in the Vic West bowl at 250 Esquimalt Rd.
鈥淚 hope the Olympic inclusion makes people see our sport in more of an athletic light,鈥� said Jimmy Miller, curator and PA announcer for today鈥檚 event.
鈥淓specially in terms of skateboard park facilities.鈥�
Sixteen years of existence means something, and so the Vee Dub event is among four Canadian points qualifiers sanctioned by sa国际传媒 Skateboard for national team selection. That鈥檚 something about which Miller is justifiably proud.
鈥淥ur event has proven family friendly, stable, consistent and trustworthy and I think that has been recognized,鈥� he said.
The competition is being run in conjunction with the City of Victoria.
The Olympic inclusion for Tokyo 2020 is simply the latest incarnation for a sport that is consistently adapting, said Miller.
In the 1960s it was popularized in Southern California, sometimes in empty backyard swimming pools with Beach Boys songs blaring in the background. Then came a new wave of skaters influenced by the movie Back to the Future. Another wave came with Tony Hawk and the X Games.
鈥淪kateboarding is always changing and evolving, both technically and culturally,鈥� noted Miller, who has been skateboarding for more than 30 years.
鈥淣ow the Olympics will allow skateboarders to pursue their passion in an athletic fashion. It鈥檚 a unique opportunity for our sport.鈥�
But, like surfing, skateboarding is also a sport of iconoclasts and there will be those who eschew the Olympic hype and continue on their own path.
鈥淎ll some people need is a board and a curb and nothing more,鈥� said Miller.
鈥淏ut for other top-level performers of a different mind, there is now a clear athletic path to pursue to the Olympic Games.鈥�
Rising Una Farrar of Victoria is unable to compete today due to injury but has already made a name for herself in the sport and will continue to be a performer to watch in the future.
Registration opens today at 9 a.m. with boys and girls beginners taking to the bowl at 9:30 a.m., novice boys at 10 a.m., novice girls at 11 a.m., intermediate girls at 11:30 a.m. and intermediate boys at noon. The oldtimers are on at 1:30 p.m. Then it gets serious with the sa国际传媒 Skateboard points qualifying portion of the competition with the elite advanced women in the bowl at 2:30 p.m. and the advanced men at 3:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the other hipster, and previously outsider, sport being brought into the Olympic fold is also making news with the announcement Friday of the Canadian surfing team to the 2019 Lima Pan American Games this summer in Peru, which is a direct qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Among those named to the seven-member team are Tofino surfers Mathea Olin in longboard and Catherine Temple in SUP. Shannon Brown of Tofino will coach the Canadian team.
鈥淚t would mean the world to represent my Canadian roots at the Olympics and show the world what it truly means to be a Canadian surfer,鈥� said the 16-year-old Island prodigy Olin.
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