MANILA, Philippines - At least 900 skateboarders plied a 7.1-km route from Quirino Grandstand to Circuit Makati in the DC Go Skateboarding Day yesterday in an attempt to shatter a Guinness world record for the largest skateboarding parade.
The skaters joined the push parade, riding their boards along Roxas Boulevard, Quirino, Osmeña, Pedro Gil, Tejeron, Syquia and M. Roxas as they tried to eclipse the mark set by the Venice High School Alumni Association Centennial Celebration Committee in Los Angeles, California in 2011 with 498 participants.
DC brand manager Vianca Tan said that though the event failed to meet certain parameters set by Guinness in the attempt such as the six-feet distance between skaters and the setting up of the start and finish line markers, they are still positive that they will make it to the record books.
“We will still file. It’s guaranteed that we surpassed the record number but if it will be recognized, we have to find out after 12 weeks. We’ll still try to submit everything from the witnesses and all the requirements,” said Tan.
Tan also expressed hopes the event will further generate interest in skateboarding in the country.
“It’s a platform to introduce it, to show that there’s a lot of sports other than the usual ones,” said Tan.
Meanwhile, the skateboarding competition was held late in the night with DC Pro skateboarders Cyril Jackson, Chase Webb and Alex Lawton performing a skate demo to the delight of the fans.
The DC Pro skateboarders the other day said they were happy with the growth of the sport not only in the Philippines but worldwide.
“It’s just endless, it keeps getting bigger and bigger and it’s amazing. I’m really intrigued what’s gonna happen in the future because it’s growing and growing and especially now we’re becoming an Olympic sport (in 2020),” said the Aussie Lawton.
– Kristina Villanueva