Skate and die

To start it off, my name is Colin Decker. I am representing, umm, the general population of Grays Harbor county, the town of Westport, the zillions of people who visit this area to go surfing, clamming, what have you, the skateboarders who populate this area and, well, myself. Some have a need, some would find happiness, and there is a host of other qualities that could be brought out.
Brought out by a skatepark built in Westport, Washington. That is the underlying focus behind these words and behind any effort put into motion for this, umm, cause. A skatepark, preferably one built by people who have a passion for skateboarding and the building of elaborate, amazing, concrete parks. Basically, Dreamland or Grindline or both.
To add background and reason, I will delve into my personal experiences and try to relate them. Skateboarding means so much and has so much quality in and of itself. I started back in ’92 in, well, Westport, WA. and made it a passion. I was drawn to the punk, d.i.y., dumpster dive, trainhop, sleep on roofs lifestyle. Pursued it and lived it. Around the late nineties, early 2000’s it was southern Oregon (Ashland, Talent, J-ville) and Portland (Burnside, umm, indy spots and lots of train activity). When Newberg was built, it was so awesome and it just kept getting better. I think Pier Park was new and I was skating that and then I went to Yosemite National Park and ran around in the wilderness, climbed some mountains and happened to fall 140 ft. into a 4 month coma and a traumatic brain injury (around 2006). No mo’ skating. I am still so into skateboarding. Learning about, let’s just list ‘em off- Lincoln City, Donald, Brookings, Waldport, all the Portland parks, etc. and now there’s Hood River and Tigard and a myriad more in all kinds of places, makes me ache inside but I am also so amazed. I can dream. I just can’t skate.
The person who was there for me a lot on the skateboard tip was my friend Rory Ably. Big part of this idea and effort. Rory died skating the Ashland park. He was there for me and so many other people, so much so. He introduced me to stencils, concrete pool coping, the joy of over vert front side grinds, a whole lotta really cool stuff. He is sorely missed.
If there is anything built here, a lot of it is for Rory.
As well, a lot of it would be for the people who can use and enjoy it. Learn and grow with a skatepark in Westport in their lives. Surfers waiting for the waves to get good, fisherman waiting for good fishing weather, skaters from Olympia, WA who are tired of their crappy, local park and people who have heard that there’s a good skatepark in Westport. Heck, it could get in on the northwest skatepark “circuit” hoopla even.
So, in regards, I revere the work that, basically, any of you guys has done. Tigard, Lincoln City, more. It’s all so amazing.
Remember,
Time doesn’t stop,
sorrow bleeds and
hope floats.