Some of the world’s top skate and BMX athletes converged on Lopez Island on Aug. 17 during “The Retreat” presented by Skatelite, a manufacturer of skate ramp surface materials. The athletes included Paul Rodriguez, Matt Hoffman, Bob Burnquist, Bucky Lasek, Jagger Eaton, Manny Santiago, Pierre-Luc Gagnon and Ryan Nyquist.

Skatelite donated and dedicated a new 60 by 80 foot skate park that morning and hosted the all-day a festival with food, music and entertainment. More than 2,000 visitors and islanders came out for the event. The musical line-up was The Good Husbands, Sol and Blue Scholars.

Skatelite provided a shuttle to and from the ferry landing and offered a campground just outside the village for attendees to spend the night.