Grit to Grind: Montana’s Skateboarding Story Comes to Life

It’s not every day that you get to pick up a local book to open it up and see pictures of friends and acquaintances from your past. That’s what happened with the cool new book about skateboarding in Montana called “Grit to Grind: Shaping Montana Communities One Skatepark at a Time” written by Andy Kemmis and Chris Bacon with a foreword written by Jeff Ament.   

The Story Behind “Grit to Grind”

The book takes a look at the expansion of skateboarding and the building of skateparks across the state of Montana with help from the Montana Skatepark Association and Montana Pool Service. It’s a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the skateboard community in Montana for decades.  

This book is personal to me because the first part of the book looks back to a time when I was a skateboarder in Missoula, and I had the privilege of skating with some of the people and at some of the places mentioned in the book. My favorite spot was the “Butt Bank” located behind Eastgate Albertsons.  

Personal Memories from Missoula’s Skate Scene

Since then, with the help of countless volunteers and supporters, Montana has become an incredible place to skateboard, and our state is a better place because of it. This book chronicles that journey. Skating for a lot of people, myself included, was an escape and a way to be part of a community.

READ MORE: One of Montana's Largest Skateparks is Now Open and It's Rad  

Book Signing Events Across Montana

Chris Bacon and Andy Kemmis will be signing copies of the book at a couple locations over the next few days. Sales of the book will continue to help build skateparks in Montana.  

Missoula- Fact and Fiction on Higgins on Saturday, October 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Hamilton- Chapter One Books on Thursday, October 23 with a reading, a Q & A, and signing. 

They have more events in the planning stages for Butte, Bozeman, and Whitefish in the near future.  

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I got my copy recently and can’t wait to read about some of my friends and some of the experiences from the past, and what is to come in the future. I will continue to support the Montana Skatepark Association, Montana Pool Service, and Girls on Shred, and I hope others do as well.