Make It Rad is back for its third year, and this time we’re kicking things off with something extra special: Try-It Skateboarding, a free learn-to-skate session on the morning of the jam sponsored by Project Rad. If you’ve got a kid (or you, no judgment) who has never stood on a skateboard but wants to try, this is the easiest, lowest-pressure way to do it.

Make it Rad 2025
Photo by Josan Woo

The Details

  • What: Try-It Skateboarding — a free session, skateboards provided, no experience necessary
  • When: Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Where: Callingwood Skatepark, Edmonton
  • Cost: Free
  • Who: Beginners of all ages welcome

This runs right before the main Make It Rad jam kicks into gear, so it’s the perfect way to ease into the day — try skateboarding for the first time in the morning, then stick around to watch the competition divisions, check out the Art Walk, grab some BBQ, and bid on the silent auction in the afternoon.

What You Need to Bring

Try-It Skateboarding is designed to get as many people as possible on a board for the first time, so we’ve made this as simple as we can:

  • A signed waiver — required for all participants before stepping on a board
  • A helmet — mandatory for everyone taking part
  • Pads — not required, but strongly encouraged, especially for first-timers

If you don’t have your own skateboard, don’t worry — we’ll have boards on hand for participants to use during the session.

Why We’re Doing This

Make It Rad has always been about community first organized by Otterly Rad. This year’s jam is raising funds for the Edmonton Skateboarding Association (ESA), an organization working to grow skateboarding access across the city — including the push for a permanent indoor skate facility. Adding Try-It Skateboarding is a natural extension of that mission: the best way to grow the sport is to make sure anyone curious about it has a genuine, welcoming entry point, with no cost and no gear required.

Last year’s Make It Rad in Spruce Grove pulled in 80+ registered skaters and 150+ spectators, raising over $1,000 for local skateparks. This year, at Callingwood, we’re aiming even bigger — and giving newcomers a proper on-ramp is a big part of that.

How to Get Ready

  1. Plan to arrive a little before 11:00 AM to get your waiver squared away.
  2. Bring or grab a helmet (pads if you have them).
  3. Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes you can move in.
  4. Stick around after your session — Make It Rad’s full day of competitions, art, and community continues right after.

Full schedule and event details for Make It Rad 2026 are coming soon. In the meantime, mark your calendar for Try-It Skateboarding — August 22nd, 11:00 AM, Callingwood Skatepark — and get ready to push for the first time.

Make It Rad 2026 benefits the Edmonton Skateboarding Association. See you at Callingwood. 🛹
Follow Otterly Rad on Instagram for more updates on the event