Celebrations set for 25-year anniversary of Fair Go skateboarding competition

COMPETITORS from around the country will flock to Ballina for the 25-year celebration of the Fair Go skateboarding event.

It will be held over two days at Missingham Park on December 5-6 with more than 100 people across multiple divisions.

The event was originally held with homemade ramps in the Ballina Fair Shopping Centre Carpark.

It was a way for the local riders to highlight the need for a proper skatepark, which the council built the following year.

Five years later it was extended with the addition of a bowl, making it suitable for people of all abilities.

For the last decade Tony Chavez, Freddie Turmel and Graeme McDonald from Truckstop Sk8 have been running Fair Go.

“It’s amazing to think it’s been going this long, it’s become a staple event for skateboarders across the country,” McDonald said.

“The humble beginning is still what it’s all about and that ethos hasn’t changed over the years.

“As the name suggests it’s about getting involved and making sure everyone gets a fair go, no matter what your skill level is.”

Fair Go is believed to be the longest running event of its kind in Australia.

Junior heats will start on Friday with open age divisions up to over-40s to follow on Saturday.

Skateboarding has had more mainstream attention in recent years after it was included at the Olympic Games for the first time in 2020.

Tweed Heads teenager Chloe Covell competed at the 2024 event in Paris, while aspiring Olympian Felicity Turner has competed at Fair Go in the past.

“The sport has taken on a life of its own on the global stage and you can’t deny its popularity now.” McDonald said.

“Skateboarders build up a lot of camaraderie between them and you won’t see many events where people are high fiving each other during competitions.”

There will be a presentation and Fair Go celebration at Cherry Street Sports Club after finals on Saturday.