Skateboarders and bicyclists gathered at the North Shore Skate Park in Grand Marais for an entertaining day with 3rd Lair, a professional skateboarding and BMX bike team. Above left: 3rd Lair BMX riders helped kids hone their skills on the ramps at the skate park, which the 3rd Lair declared “the best in the state.” Above right: Austin of 3rd Lair gives Jaymie Kirk, 8½ of Grand Marais, skateboarding tips.
On August 14, the North Shore Skate Park in Grand Marais was filled with energetic kids enjoying skateboard and BMX bike lessons and demonstrations with the 3rd Lair skateboard team. Over 20 kids, ages six to 17, turned out for the practice and performance from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3rd Lair is a team of professional skateboarders and BMX riders that travel around the world, competing in events such as the exciting “X” games. The event was emceed by MC Trog, who played high-energy music and kept the action going.
“We were lucky to get them to visit our skateboard park, which they said was the best in MN!” said event coordinator Courtney Blake, AmeriCorps/ Cook County youth programs coordinator.
Blake worked to bring a skateboarding group to the North Shore Skate Park after Community Center Director Diane Booth suggested holding some sort of skateboarding expo to promote safety. Adults watching over the park wanted to promote safety. And, they wanted to do something to attract kids to the park, which was completed in 2007 after years of fundraising by local youths.
Blake said one of her favorite moments was when Austin, one of the 3rd Lair skateboarders, went one-onone with Jaymie Kirk, 8 1/2, of Grand Marais, who had never ridden on a skateboard before, to teach her to ride. By the end of the day, Jaymie was competing and going on the ramps by herself.
“Jaymie and many other kids gained new skills and confidence to ride. It was a great day,” said Blake, who said participants came from as far away as Silver Bay.
“Many parents and visitors came and watched the event from the bleachers that were moved in front of the skate park for the event,” said Blake.
The event was hosted by Cook County KidsPlus and was made possible by a large donation from the Grand Marais Lions Club and KidsPlus.
The performance by 3rd Lair included some very impressive skating and biking, including jumps like this one. North Shore Skate Park at the Cook County Community Center is free and open for use from dawn to dusk in spring, summer, and fall.
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