Last Saturday, a large crowd of skateboarders from Whidbey and across the sea gathered at Volunteer Park in Oak Harbor to celebrate their love for the art of skateboarding.
The very first “Rolling on the Rock” event was put together by Garrett Collins, a local skateboarder and owner of Geez Skate Shop in downtown Oak Harbor.
Collins estimates the skate jam attracted about 70 people, children and grown-ups, with some coming from as far as Bellingham and Seattle to enjoy some music, grilled food and the company of like-minded riders of any skill level.
“New skaters are welcome to skate however they please with no judgment,” he said. “I am grateful to see them finding interest (in skating).”
There was a time when skate jams in town attracted hundreds of people, Collins said. That was back when Gizmo’s Skateboards, which closed several years ago, was still in business. After the shop closed, the skating community on the island was left without a place to procure good quality equipment.
The higher the skill level and the harder the tricks performed, the shorter the lifespan of a board gets. Avid skaters like Collins, who attends the skate park and practices tricks nearly every day, might need to get a new board every two months or so.
After the end of Gizmo’s, many moved on from the hobby, not wanting to make frequent trips to the mainland. Others, like Collins, chose to endure the “troublesome” routine.
To avoid seeing more people give up on the sport and to save some gas money and time, Collins finally decided to take matters into his own hands, opening his own shop in 2022.
The name, “Geez Skate Shop,” comes from his own name, “‘G,’ or ‘Garrett’ for long,” he explained. He then stylized “G’s” into “Geez.”
At Geez, local skaters can find skateboards with a variety of gnarly designs, including graffiti, quirky phrases, detailed black-and-white art and cartoonish designs depicting crazy skeletons, anthropomorphic critters and cute kittens.
No matter the age or one’s personal tastes, there’s something for everyone.
The skateboards are sourced from big brands, like the world-famous Thrasher, and from small businesses from the Pacific Northwest and other parts of the country, “spreading the love” to as many creators as possible. Products also include T-shirts, socks, hoodies, small succulents, art and accessories.
Until recently, the shop at 749 Southeast Pioneer Way hosted live music events open to all ages that featured country, folk, metal and punk bands from the area.
“I love live music but never make it out to see it,” Collins said. “I wanted to support the local music scene, so I brought it straight to me.”
Geez’s next show is scheduled for 6 p.m. on July 12 and will feature Goodbye Viking, Eep-Oop, Distest and Tombstone Shadow at 749 Southeast Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor, where the weekly “Buskers on the Corner” events take place.
The future of the shows inside the building is uncertain, but Collins hopes to be able to bring together local artists and music lovers.
Though he doesn’t have a date scheduled yet, Collins wants to plan more skate jams, hoping to bring live music and food trucks to future gatherings. He will post updates on skate jams and music shows on his Instagram account, @geezskatez.
In the meantime, those who want to try out the sport or practice in a social setting, no matter their age or skill level, can join Collins and other skaters at 5 p.m. at the skate park “almost everyday.”
Photo by Luisa Loi Collins prepares to roll down a litte ramp inside his store.
Photo by Luisa Loi Collins skates inside his store, Geez Skate Shop, a place where skaters of all ages and skill level can find gear and meet other skaters.
