The period under review spans from 21 June to 21 June, coinciding with International Go! Skateboarding Day, the date that marks the official start of the Association’s operations.

Among the main departmental achievements, the WallRide Skate School highlights a significant increase in the number of students and lessons, the expansion of schools and events visited, and an increase in social programme vacancies. In the realm of WallRide Constructions, the public lighting of the Faro skatepark was rehabilitated, with ongoing improvements and maintenance of public spaces.

Lodo Zine (Communication and Magazine) increased its focus on the arts, with new exhibitions and video and photography productions, as well as the initiation of photojournalism activities. The WallRide Events department carried out more than 40 events throughout the year. WeAllRide/South Girl Skate (Feminist and LGBTQI+) expanded its focus from solely female audiences to include all gender minorities underrepresented in the world of skateboarding and society. WallCarve (Surfskate) promoted the interconnection between surf and skatepark cultures, contributing to more diverse spaces.

Finally, the WallRide Community (Social Action) engaged in various social areas, including housing, employability, political literacy, combating poverty and racism, among other issues.

Viriato Villas-Boas, President of WallRide, stated: “Our team, community, and I see this 'positive balance' with a great sense of responsibility and mission. Such achievements arise from the effort, sacrifice, and work of all those who believe in a vision of a fairer and more balanced society, capable of serving all its constituents.

In this third year, it has become clearer than ever that skateboarding primarily serves as an analogy (rather than the main focus) for the work carried out by WallRide. Despite the deep emotional ties we all feel towards the four-wheeled object that unites us, above (and on top of) it will always be a person who shares the same ground as any of us.

The intimate connection between skateboarding and the surrounding social and economic well-being is undeniable. For if we try to summarise the whole purpose of skateboarding, despite all effort and struggle, what remains are smiles and happiness; And not only is it more difficult to achieve those smiles and happiness in the face of material, health, or social deprivation: it is also destructive for any society not to create structures or opportunities to foster such happiness.

Starting with the removal of obstacles and alleviation of suffering, and going further, towards skateboarding tricks, painting, composing a song, among so many other things... We are all Human, and some of us express this Humanity through skateboarding; although, what truly matters is that this very Humanity shines through – in whatever form it may take.

The WallRide Association is dedicated to promoting social and community development through skateboarding, working in various areas to improve the quality of life and provide opportunities for inclusion and growth for all community members.

The report can be consulted on the Association's LinkedIn page:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wallride-third-annual-report-wallridept-j9muf/?trackingId=exeOnvV0Sv%2BvKn%2BfSglebw%3D%3D