On Go Skateboarding Day 2012 etnies set a Guinness World Record for the largest skateboarding lesson ever given as 311 skateboarders rallied at the etines skatepark of Lake Forest.
“Today was not only about learning a lesson in skateboarding and setting a record, it was also learning about inspiration,” Pierre-Andre Senizergues said after the event yesterday. “Skateboarding was Thomas Johnson’s inspiration to stay active and happy when he was ill and his positive persistence has inspired the hundreds of skateboarders that came out today. As skateboarders, we need to give back and inspire others who skate or want to skate. Thomas’ memory did that for us and helped us to set the Guinness World Record!”
Bummed we missed it. Would have been great to learn some of those classic freestyle moves from the master. Follow the jump for the official word.ETNIES SKATEPARK OF LAKE FOREST CLAIMS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ON GO SKATEBOARDING DAY
More Than 300 Skateboarders Helped to Make History by Participating in the Largest Skateboarding Lesson Ever
June 22, 2012 (Lake Forest, CA) – Yesterday, Go Skateboarding Day 2012 at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest went down in skateboarding history! The skatepark set the Guinness World Record for the largest skateboard lesson ever given. Led by Pierre-Andre Senizergues, World Championship Skateboarder and etnies Owner/CEO, and Nick Gates, skatepark coordinator, 311 Southern California skateboarders of all ages and experience levels participated in the momentous day to celebrate skateboarding’s official worldwide holiday.
The event, held in memory of Thomas Johnson, an eight-year-old local skater who passed away from cancer in 2010, was filled with skateboarders and their families wearing Thomas’ favorite color orange in support of Team Thomas, a community created to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
“Today was not only about learning a lesson in skateboarding and setting a record, it was also learning about inspiration,” Pierre-Andre Senizergues said after the event yesterday. “Skateboarding was Thomas Johnson’s inspiration to stay active and happy when he was ill and his positive persistence has inspired the hundreds of skateboarders that came out today. As skateboarders, we need to give back and inspire others who skate or want to skate. Thomas’ memory did that for us and helped us to set the Guinness World Record!”
The Guinness World Records organization required 250 participants in the lesson to set the world record and with immense support from skateboarders all over the county, the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest surpassed that number by more than 50 people. The feat accomplished on Go Skateboarding Day 2012 set the bar high for skateparks around the world to break the standing record.
(left to right) Nick Gates, Pierre-Andre Senizergues and Christi Johnson, Thomas’ mom
“Today we set the world record for the largest skateboard lesson in a skatepark and it was probably one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had,” said Nick Gates of the event. “It was so awesome to see so much of our community come out, etnies pull together with the city and everyone working together. It was just a crowning achievement for the skatepark and how awesome the skatepark is. Having so many people here supporting Thomas made it hard not to feel emotional the entire time. It was a beautiful day.”
As part of the Guinness World Record skate lesson, World Championship skateboarder Pierre-Andre Senizergues taught the participants some freestyle tricks
Go Skateboarding Day, a global celebration founded by the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC), is the official holiday of skateboarding that gives skaters and non-skaters alike a chance to take a break from their normal obligations and make skateboarding their top priority on June 21st of every year.
For more information on etnies, check out etnies.com or facebook.com/etnies. To learn more about the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, visit: www.etniesskatepark.com/
