Ground Control

The Kamloops Museum and Archives showcased an exciting and unconventional exhibition titled Ground Control, which delved into skateboard culture and the vibrant skateboarding community in Kamloops. Unlike typical museum exhibitions, Ground Control offered a unique look at the skateboard subculture with a distinctive Kamloops flavour.

The exhibition captured a portion of Kamloops’ rich and varied skateboard scene, tracing the sport’s origins back to the 1920s and highlighting its rise in the 1960s and 1970s. It featured interactive displays, including local skaters recounting their glory days and showcasing local skate videos. A notable attraction was the custom-built ramp situated inside the museum, allowing visitors to experience skateboarding firsthand.

Ground Control included historical artifacts, such as an early skateboard from 1963, created by one of the museum’s volunteers who put a two-by-four on his sister’s skateboard wheels, attached a leash, and rode down the street. The exhibition also highlighted the achievements of local skaters like Kenny Dale, who won national championships in the 1970s.

Visitors could skate the ramp inside the museum on Thursdays to Saturdays between 3:00 and 4:00pm, or by scheduling a session via email. This hands-on component allowed participants to engage with the sport and appreciate it as a cultural pursuit.

Ground Control ran until August 20th, offering an engaging and dynamic experience that celebrated the cultural significance of skateboarding in Kamloops. The exhibition successfully drew in a diverse audience, showcasing the community’s deep-rooted connection to the sport and its lasting impact on the local culture.