Skateboarding is arguably the fastest growing sport in America. With its popularity swelling from coast to coast, the once nearly deceased sport is basking in the limelight.
With the surge in skateboarding's popularity has come the birth of a new skate shop. This skate shop does not function as a means for financial gain but rather a platform to showcase raw, local talent with the hopes of being discovered.
One such shop, Industrial Rideshop, in Coronado Mall, had the opportunity this weekend to showcase such talent by hosting skateboard demos on Saturday.
Industrial offered skate fans two opportunities to catch the action. The first Demo was held at Cavalry Church. Cavalry has built a concrete skate park behind their facility that many have regarded as "the best park in town."
The only required pad is a helmet and the park is open to the public.
The second demo was held in the evening at Los Altos Skate Park. Los Altos is also a concrete, public park, but requires no pads.
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The Industrial team, comprised of riders from Albuquerque and Phoenix, entertained spectators with an impressive display of skateboarding talent.
Not only did the day offer plenty of skateboarding action but food and free stuff from sponsors like Red Bull, DVS Shoe Company, Krux and Independent Trucks, Ricta Wheels, Santa Cruz Skateboards and others. And to top it all off, the weather could not have been better.
But the demos are also a unique way for a shop to give back to the community in appreciation for its devotion to skateboarding.
"I think these are really positive because it offers a place for the kids to come to other than negative places that offer negative influences," former UNM student, Industrial team manager and employee Eddie Vargas said. "This is all about skateboarding, doing it because you love it and bringing the community together. Industrial is paving the route for the rest of the shops in Albuquerque."
UNM student and Industrial employee Emerson Lafebre agrees.
"I think it is a positive influence on all these kids for us to be here and set an example," he said. "I think that it's something that Albuquerque is all about. It's cool that we can combine all these things."
Industrial is also using demos as a means to get young talent discovered. Much like scouting programs for professional sports organizations like the NFL, demos work to get young talent the exposure they need to achieve at the next level.
"I totally see it as a good thing," team rider Dustin Kerr said. "Anyone who gets hooked up with Industrial now is pretty much going to get hooked up with bigger companies. It's a family, even though we have shops in other states we're still a big family and everyone looks out for each other."
Industrial Rideshop has found a home in Albuquerque and judging by the response from the community, it will be a happy one.
The skate community in Albuquerque and Industrial appear to be a good fit.
"Putting these things [demos] together as much as we can, giving out free stuff wherever we can is just showing the community that we're not worried about making money, but keeping people skating," Vargas said.
