There is something different about seeing Toronto from a board. 

You notice the streets differently. You notice the hills, the pavement, the shortcuts, the parks and the places where everyone seems to end up at the same time. More importantly, you notice the people you are moving through the city with.

This summer, Side Street Surfing had one of our best seasons yet.

We got out, explored the city, welcomed new riders, reconnected with old friends and captured a lot of it along the way. There were fast rolls, slow cruises, night rides, neighbourhood loops, questionable pavement and plenty of stops to hang out.

It was never really about the board

Side Street Surfing started as a simple idea: get people together and go for a ride.

That idea has stayed pretty much the same. The board is a reason to leave the house. The ride is the activity. The people are the point.

Some riders have been skating for years. Some are still figuring out their first push. Some came because a friend invited them. Some just wanted to see what Toronto feels like from four wheels.

That's what makes the group work.

Toronto became the backdrop

One of the best parts of riding together is that the city becomes part of the experience.

We rolled through familiar neighbourhoods and found new ways to connect them. We rode during the day and after dark. We crossed paths with people who had never seen the group before and riders who have been showing up for years.

Every ride has its own rhythm. A meeting point. The first few pushes. Someone finding a better line. A hill that looks easier than it is. A regroup at the corner. A photo. A conversation. Then we're moving again.

The people make the memories

Looking back through this season's photos and video, the thing that stands out isn't one particular ride.

It's the faces.

The first-time riders. The regulars. The friends who came back after a long break. The people who showed up alone and left knowing a few more people. The riders who quietly got better every week.

That's the part of Side Street Surfing we want to keep building.

Keep rolling

We're going to keep sharing the places we've ridden, the people we've met and some of the things we've learned along the way.

If you've ever thought about trying a longboard, this is your invitation. You don't need to be good. You don't need to know anyone. You just need a board and somewhere to start.

Anyone who walks can skate.

See you out there.

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