On August 2nd, skate industry veteran Jack Smith and three friends will begin a 3,000 mile journey pushing their skateboards across the United States. The trek that will take them from Oregon to Virginia in the middle of the summer heat is expected to take them a little over three weeks.
But the attempt at breaking the world record for this journey is not just a summertime stunt by sk8r boys with too much time on their hands. Nor is it an attempt by kids to capture a board endorsement deal.
Actually, Jack, who is still very active in our industry at his position at VAS Entertainment, is doing this for a much different reason, a reason we should all applaud and support.
Mr. Smith is making this extraordinary effort to draw attention to a rare disease called Lowe Syndrome. His fourteen-year-old son, Jack Marshall Smith, passed away May 6th, 2003 due to complications resulting from the disease. (www.lowesyndrome.org)
“My son has been an incredible inspiration to myself and many others, whose lives he has touched,” said Smith. “This is my chance to pay him back for all that he has taught me”.
Jack, along with friends Paul Dunn, Bob Denike, and Gary Fluitt set the world skateboard distance record nearly twenty years ago when they completed the transcontinental skate in 26 days.
“This time it will be a lot harder were all a fair bit older now, we have jobs and families, and pushing a skateboard 150 miles a day wont be quite as easy this time around”, he said.
The group is currently seeking sponsors for the trek. All proceeds generated from pledges will be donated to The Lowe Syndrome Association. The cross-country team consists of Mr. Smith, Nick Krest, Paul Dunn and Gary Fluitt. His company has already signed on to support the ride and VAS Entertainment president, Jeff Reynolds, plans on skating several days himself.
Professional skateboarders Tony Hawk and Andy MacDonald have also expressed interest in joining the team for a day of skating.
For more information on “Skateboarding Across America – On Board for Lowe Syndrome” or to make a donation, please visit:
Skate Across America for Lowe Syndrome and scroll down for details on the event. You will also see a link for the site on each news article page on the site.
The team has 37 sponsors so far and is looking to their friends in the industry to help support this noble effort to raise awareness and help find a cure for this disease that has hit so close to home for us.
