Breaking Paskapoo Downhill Rodeo News
Dear Longboarding Community,
Over the past four years the Speedboard and Longboard Association of Calgary has fought very hard to try to keep the Paskapoo Downhill Rodeo Alive. We have gone tens of thousands of dollars into debt, clawed our way out of it with your support, and overcome various political barriers along the way. Without the amazing support the longboarding community has given us none of our events would have been possible.
Our 2009 event was by far the most successful Rodeo. It was a riders and organizers dream with tonnes of freeriding, jumbotrons, and a race that couldn't have gone much smoother from an organizational standpoint. I wish that we could build on our success in 2009 and deliver an even better event in 2010, however it is with the deepest regret that I am announcing there will be no 2010 Paskapoo Downhill Rodeo at Canada Olympic park.
The owner-operator of the venue Canada Olympic park, Winsport Canada, has chosen to challenge our ownership rights to the event, attempt to push our organization away from all aspects of the event and steer it in a direction that is not in line with our beliefs. It has been a very challenging process in deciding our course of action, and I assure you all that we have considered every option and attempted to negotiate with Winsport Canada to find a solution to our disagreements.
We are working hard to secure new venues for two new small races, one in Calgary and one outside of Calgary for the summer of 2010. Once again I will ask for the communities support, both from riders and sponsors, for our new races. They will not be as large scale or grand as the Paskapoo Downhill Rodeo Was. Our organization can not afford to take any large financial risks going into this next race season.
Winsport Canada has attempted to bully us away from our own event. There is a chance they will attempt to hold a race independent of the longboarding community. I assure you our sport is better off without their involvement. I am asking you to show your support of our organization by boycotting any longboarding event held by Winsport Canada.
After four years of fighting with everything we have to keep the rodeo alive, we just cant do it anymore. For more information, or answers to any questions you may have please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours, Aaron Christensen
Race Director Paskapoo Dh Rodeo
Co-Chair SLAC
aaron@paskapoodh.com
PH: 403-826-1616
