ONE BOARD AT A TIME. The Eau Claire Skaters Association was born from local efforts that resulted in Boyd Skate Park's creation. Now, the local organization is hosting public events and getting even more involved in the community.

Perhaps the most tangible proof of Eau Claire’s skateboarding community – and its continued growth – is Boyd Skate Park. The 5,200-square-foot park, officially unveiled in 2023, was the result of over a decade’s worth of advocacy and hard work from local skaters. Since then, the skateboarding community has stayed hard at work.

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with Eau Claire Skaters Association (ECSA) founder, Gabe Brummett, to chat about what ECSA has been up to as of late. The nonprofit organization – which includes a five-person board – has been as busy as ever behind the scenes, ramping up for when milder weather allows for more activities and community events.

Brummett pointed to a number of events ECSA has hosted, and new additions the organization has helped bring to Boyd Skate Park, including the installation of brand-new floodlights to illuminate the park after the sunlight wanes. Community skateboard lessons for folks of all ages, and especially kids, have been very popular as well.

"I know skateboarding is good. I want to share it with the world."

GABE BRUMMETT

ECSA FOUNDER AND LONGTIME SKATEBOARDER

ECSA's Skate and Create event held last June at Boyd Skate Park. (Photo by Measha Lea Photography)

And the enthusiasm around skateboarding is spreading beyond Boyd Skate Park too. ECSA was able to help a local middle school skateboarding club buy its members new skate shoes and boards, and the organization is now working on a skateboarding-centered curriculum that could make its way to more schools.

On May 31, ECSA will read a skate-focused book at a kids story time reading at Dotters Books in downtown Eau Claire. For all the curious adults out there, ECSA will be hosting adult skateboarding lessons later this year, open to people who haven’t skated in years or never had the opportunity before.

I wrote about Brummett’s background with skating, and his efforts to foster and highlight the local skateboarding community, last year. He is as adamant now as he was in 2024: skateboarding is a positive thing.

“The more we see each other and feel heard, and the more spaces we have for that type of positivity, the better off we’ll all be,” Gabe said in a 2024 interview. “I think everybody wants to make the world a better place however they can, and this is the way I know how. I know skateboarding is good. I want to share that with the world.”

Keep up with ECSA all the good skateboarding is doing in the area, by following them on Facebook. The organization hopes to host regular public meetings in the future, and more public events are in the works.

Boyd Skate Park is located at 1202 Fairway St., Eau Claire. Find the Eau Claire Skaters Association on Facebook or reach out with inquiries at ecsa@myyahoo.com.