While some may look at skateboarding and see the culture of lagging young people breaking the law, Zach Moldoff has dedicated his life and work to changing the stories and stigma around sports.
Moldof, a skateboarding advocate who founded the non-profit Skatebud, culminated in a three-day event that sought to bring together skate enthusiasts, community stakeholders and government officials. The Florida Skate Heritage Fair, produced in collaboration with Florida’s Arts and Culture Department, will land at Florida’s fairgrounds from July 18th to 20th.
“It was difficult for skateboarding to flourish here and take root. There was a complete opposition or lack of support at the government and institutional level,” Moldov said. “To be able to pull off something like this in Orlando has a lot to say in itself.”
During Friday’s panel discussion, state and local officials will gather skateboarders along with skateboarders to discuss the benefits of supported community-certified skating.
“I want to show the government what is possible when I’m planning on profiting from skateboarding, rather than banning skateboarding,” Moldov said.
Every day at the family fair features vendors and artists, including miniature fingerboards and vintage gear. Visitors will be able to find giveaways, activities and snacks indoors in a 20,000-square-foot air-conditioned space. However, the main focus is skateboarding, which will cost a total of $5,000 grabs throughout the weekend.
The goal is to welcome people from a wider community and skate people out to see the positive impact of the sport.
“I have this agenda at this county and state level and have removed the ban on skateboarding and I want to get my skateboards back out of everyone’s doors,” Moldof said. “How do you put your skateboards in your neighborhood? How do you use these spaces to create programming and lead people to a healthier life? We should be celebrated at the city level of our hometown community.”
A year-long study of “Beyond the Board” in skateboarding culture highlights how skating can help young people enjoy, relieve stress, stick to challenges, build relationships and find creative expression. These are some of Molding’s same goals and values to plant through his work and this event.
“We need to work with the government to ensure that the standards they institutionalize it are accurate for our culture,” he said. “If we have to be arrested to experience real skateboarding, we are not fulfilling our obligations to the next generation.”
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If you’re going
The Florida Skate Heritage Fair will be open from 10am to 5pm July 18th to 20th at 4603 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando. This event is free to attend to all ages. Pre-registration is not required, but it is proposed. More information: katebud.com/fshf
