With long, dark winters and temperatures often dipping below freezing, most people might not consider Anchorage to be a location with a growing skateboarding community. But Garrett Swenson, a lifelong Alaskan and confident skateboarder, says the scene has been in Alaska for years and is even expanding. The extreme seasons and lack of skateboard venues have created a close community of people who often skate in underground parking garages, on abandoned concrete traffic barriers, and on makeshift backyard ramps.
Video and Story by Valerie Kern
With video provided by Daniel Hernandez
Music by FirstCom Music
For more on Anchorage’s thriving skateboard scene, check out this article by Alaska Public Media’s Zachariah Hughes
Originally from the Central Coast of California, Valerie joined Alaska Public Media in July 2017. She creates original video content for the station's TV and digital platforms while also overseeing the Production Department. Before moving to Alaska, Valerie worked as an ENG Editor at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also served in the U.S. Air Force as a TV and Radio Broadcast Journalist where she traveled around Europe, Africa, The Baltics, Australia, and the Southern United States reporting on military events, exercises, and missions. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, backcountry skiing, backpacking, yoga, and traveling.
