Today sees the launch of the Skateboard GB National Championships’ online game, where players are able to take part in an identical replica of the course used for the National Championships taking place later this week. This will be the only online version of a skateboarding National Championships which takes place anywhere in the world.
True Skate and Skateboard GB have joined forces to create an Esports event where players can compete on a brand new street course, which is a carbon of the Ramp 1 skatepark in Warrington used in the finals of the real competition. Each player can enter via the True Skate mobile app and compete against thousands of others around the country.
Skateboard GB’s partner Samsung UK will join at the National Championships with an interactive area, where spectators can get hands-on with the latest Galaxy technology, using devices to play the game in real time on the course in the café whilst the competition is taking place next door.
Skateboarding participation boomed in the early 2000’s with the release of Tony Hawk Pro Skater, with huge numbers of people from around the globe being inspired by the game and picking up a board and try skateboarding in real life. The True Skate competition hopes to have a similar impact, which will put the British Skateboarding environment in the hands of thousands of gamers.
Earlier this year Sky Brown claimed her second medal for Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which saw thousands of new skaters try the sport for the first time. The International Olympics Committee (IOC) are now supporting the development of virtual sports to create new opportunities for players and fans alike. The introduction of the eSport Skateboarding National Championships will be a major step forward in skateboarding being included in the Olympic eSports Series, as well as being an Olympic sport.
James Hope-Gill, CEO at Skateboard GB commented “The National Championships are the biggest and most prestigious skateboarding events in the UK, so to create a simulated version of the event where everyone can compete on their phones is really exciting to see” “We hope that Esports can open up opportunities for more people to become involved with skateboarding”.
Nick Barry, COO at True Axis, adds “We are excited to extend our support of the National Championships and help grow skateboarding in Great Britain. This year there’s extra motivation to perform as all players who complete the online event will unlock a virtual replica of the Championship Course.”
The online event will be available to play on True Skate from today until the end of November. Download True Skate via the App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore.
The Skateboard GB National Championships Street Event will take place on 17th November 2024 at Ramp 1 in Warrington, UK.