The Skateboarding event "UPRISING SPARK Supported by Rakuten" was held on April 27th and 28th at Minato no Mori Park in Chuo Ward, Kobe City.For the sake of preserving the bright smiles of children who are first encountering skateboarding and the younger generation who enjoy sliding in local areas, let's do what we can now to carry these joys into the future.

Japanese skaters who excel at the global level keep emerging, making skateboarding suddenly a familiar presence.The time when children start choosing “professional skater” as their future dream might not be too far off.However, in promoting the revitalization of skateboarding, “noise” and “collaboration with the community” are inseparable issues.The Rakuten Group has signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement with Hyogo Prefecture and held the event “UPRISING SPARK Supported by Rakuten” as part of the revitalization efforts in Kobe City.Everything is for creating a place where skateboarding can be enjoyed casually.And, for the purpose of communication aimed at a better environment.

Unfortunately, the weather on the first half of the first day was not good.Despite this, the park is filled with children carrying skateboards under their arms and their guardians from morning, gathering in the holiday park.The event started at 10 am. “Where should I get on?”, “How do I move forward?”. Sounds of endearing laughter can be heard here and there.First, let’s start with the initial program “Workshop”.

The workshop, which was held four times over two days, is a program designed to let children and beginners who have never tried skateboarding experience its fun.The capacity for all rounds has been filled.On the deck, participants swaying unsteadily yet seeming to enjoy themselves despite the instability.Skaters with AJSA professional qualifications will take on the lecture.Nanaka Fujisawa and Momohei Yabushita, who serve as ambassadors for this event, gently took the children’s hands.

In between the workshops, various content was prepared to liven up the event from different angles.On the first day, there was a dynamic performance by Akira Okamura, the first BMX Flatland Champion of Japan.On the second day, the mood at the venue lightens up with the participation of ‘Movi’, the mascot character of Vissel Kobe.In the panel discussion, skaters and university professors talked about the theme of “The Relationship between Skateboarding and the Local Community”.And then, a demonstration by Fujisawa and Yabushita.

Gradually increasing the difficulty level of the tricks, we are now approaching the final stage. Yabushita showed off by doing an ollie over five adults lying on the ground.An exceptionally lively venue.”How can they fly like that?” “It’s a bit scary, but I want to try it too.” Such inner voices are conveyed through their gaze and expressions.

The final event of the day is the High Ollie Contest on the first day.The second day is the long ollie contest.Local skaters at Minato no Mori Park also join in spontaneously, creating a lively atmosphere together with everyone.For top performers, there are wonderful gifts from Asics Skateboarding and Coleman, who have booths at the event.Additionally, merchandise and food and drink booths were also set up at the event venue.

Skateboarding is originally a casual “game” that can be started immediately as long as you have a deck, and a familiar “sport”.If public spaces where we can freely enjoy with our friends are expanded, the future of skateboarding should become even brighter.I want many people to know about it through “UPRISING SPARK Supported by Rakuten”.

TEXT: Keisuke Honda
PHOTO: Hiromi Okubo
EDIT: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)