Chuck Gillette

“We skated the park everyday for atleast 5 hours a day. Sometimes, when we got tired of the park, we would skate some pools or someone’s half-pipe. The Mogul Bowl’s steel, full-pipe, was the best. 20-foot-wide, by 20 in diameter – flawless, and it emptied into a mellow bowl. I recall the time when “Skateboard Mania” came through with their show. I don’t know how they liked the park, but I do remember Duane Peters and Tim Marting ripping it up!” – Chuck Gillette, Summer, 1979, Thrasher Magazine The above is an excerpt from an article found in an issue of Thrasher Magazine. What is most interesting, is not necessarily the context, but the date: Summer of 1979. Now, nearly 30 years later, Skateboarder, Chuck Gillette, continues to possess the same drive, the same enthusiam, the same excitement for the sport he has always claimed to be his passion. By the early 80’s, his personal mission to bring national attention to this sport, was in full swing. With the help of friends, also dedicated to the sport, Chuck began building what would later be known as, “The Ark,” a 36-foot-wide, vertical halfpipe in Fresno, California. He also began organizing competitions, contests, events, and doing all he could to keep the sport alive. Chuck also found the sport opened many doors and windows of opportunity to further help the community by organizing non-profit skating events and reaching out to those in need. Skateboarding has always meant a great deal to Chuck Gillette because, not only was it his personal passion, but it was also a way to keep young people engaged by keeping them focused on better activities. His enthusiasm and drive was, and to this day, continues to be highly contageous. Nearly 30 years later, Skateboarder, Chuck Gillete’s, mission continues.