A beloved Vancouver Island skateboarding hub is looking to rewrite its future, and it will take more than a few good tricks to pull it off. Influence Boardshop is preparing to transition from a traditional retail business to a nonprofit organization, hoping to preserve a space that has become much more than somewhere to buy skateboard wheels and bearings. The facility brings together skateboarding, music, art and community, offering young people and adults a place to learn, create and connect. Now, its owners are asking the community to help keep it going. Co-owner Steven Munro says the changing retail landscape has made it increasingly difficult for independent skateboard shops to compete. “Brick and mortar retail stores across Canada are suffering very hard right now,” Munro said. With online shopping and increased competition cutting into the market, he says the business needs a different approach to remain sustainable. Rather than let the space disappear, the plan is to put its community focus at the centre of a new nonprofit model. The organization would offer scheduled skate sessions for different age groups, with affordable drop-in fees and annual memberships. A smaller retail operation would remain, providing another source of revenue while ensuring skaters can still pick up equipment and replacement parts. But Munro says his vision extends well beyond skateboarding. The facility also features a stage and musical equipment, with a history of hosting live performances and community events, including punk shows. Its programming has included youth skateboarding competitions, Halloween celebrations and New Year’s Eve activities. Through its partnership with the Victoria Music Society, the organization has also helped put musical instruments into the hands of local families. Munro says last year’s giveaway included approximately $10,000 worth of instruments. For skateboard instructor Carla Hyslop, keeping the facility open is about protecting a space where people can find confidence, belonging and a sense of community. Hyslop operates BOLD Skate, a skateboarding instruction business she founded in 2018. She teaches people of all ages, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for children and youth who may face barriers to participating in traditional sports or recreational activities. She says the indoor facility is especially important during the wet winter months, when outdoor skateboarding becomes more difficult. For some beginners, the prospect of showing up at a busy public skatepark can also be intimidating. Having a dedicated indoor space allows Hyslop to create a more comfortable and controlled environment for lessons. Many of the young people she works with aren’t involved in team sports and may struggle socially. She says the facility gives them an opportunity to connect with others through a shared interest, sometimes without the pressure of having to interact right away. “They were all kind of parallel playing or connecting, and creating a really amazing community,” Hyslop said. She also hopes to help make skateboarding more welcoming and representative of the people who want to participate. As a queer woman in a sport that has historically been dominated by men, Hyslop says having visible role models can make a meaningful difference for girls and other underrepresented groups. If the nonprofit gets off the ground, she wants to remain involved as an instructor and mentor, helping more people see themselves as part of the skateboarding community. For Munro, the motivation to keep the facility alive is personal, too. He says skateboarding taught him how to work through challenges and accomplish things he once thought were impossible. He hopes the space can offer that same experience to the next generation, particularly young people who haven’t found their place in more conventional sports. Munro says turning that vision into reality will require significant community involvement. The owners are beginning their fundraising efforts and are looking for donations, volunteers and people with the professional expertise needed to establish and operate a nonprofit. That includes board members, bookkeepers, accountants, lawyers who can help navigate the transition, and staff to support the organization’s day-to-day operations. The goal is to build a strong foundation that will allow the facility to serve the community for years to come. “We need a very strong group,” Munro said, adding that anyone interested in contributing their time, skills or financial support is encouraged to get involved. Those interested in helping with the transition or donating can find more information on the landing page at influenceboardshop.com. Munro says for a community built around learning new tricks, pushing boundaries and getting back up after a fall, the next challenge may be its biggest yet.
