Why a giant skateboard to promote the NZ Team to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games?

Today's Olympic Games have more extreme, more urban and more youth focussed events and the board travelling around New Zealand represents this.

From Tokyo to Beijing and Paris we'll have Kiwi athletes on surfboards, snowboards, kiteboards, skateboards alongside other new sports like sport climbing and three-on-three basketball.

The Great Olympic Skate Roadshow will give New Zealanders the opportunity to learn more about the Olympic Games as they send their support to our New Zealand Team to Tokyo 2020.

Given the challenges facing our athletes and NZ Team this year, we really need the support of all New Zealanders. 

The New Zealand Team is calling for Kiwis to 'get on board' and support our nation's athletes as the final countdown to Tokyo begins. 

 

About the Great Olympic Skate Roadshow

The New Zealand Team will tour the country with a record-breaking super-sized skateboard launched to mark the 100 day milestone and celebrate the future of the Olympic Games.

The Roadshow will be visiting more than 45 towns in 41 days, kicking off on Monday May 10th, with Olympians and legacy athletes set to join for parts of the journey.

The Roadshow will finish in Auckland in June with the skateboard then taking up residence at The Cloud as the Tokyo Olympic Games kick off on July 23rd.

The board will be a centrepiece at the new "New Zealand Team HQ" Fan Zone where New Zealanders will also be able to gather together to celebrate the Olympic Games and show their support for the New Zealand Team. 

Download the topline itinerary HERE. For further information on what is happening at each location please email sharon@olympic.org.nz

 

About the Board’s Illustration – a New Zealand athlete’s journey

The Illustration depicts a New Zealand athletes journey, both physically and emotionally from humble beginnings in New Zealand to the world stage, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The athlete rising from the cloud depicts the long white cloud, with the flag symbolising the support of the nation. The road is windy with stormy seas signifying the tough road ahead. Tokyo being symbolised with Cherry Blossoms, Mt Fuji and an iconic sunrise.

 

About the Board Designer 

Ben Bartels runs his own creative studio called Never You Mind, based out of Hamilton, NZ. Never You Mind Studio looks to offer thought provoking engaging artworks with a sense of fun. Having honed his skills initially as a designer for an action sports brand based on the Gold Coast, he has built upon this skillset and now offers a range of creative solutions for clients both in NZ and internationally. He’s been lucky enough to create board graphics for friends and family, local skaters and leading brands such as DC and Hyperlite. For more info please visit www.neveryoumind.studio

 

Competition to name Aotearoa’s Super-Sized Great Olympic Skateboard

The New Zealand Olympic Committee is calling on Kiwis to get on board and show their support for the New Zealand Team as they gear up for the Tokyo Olympic Games by giving a name to a giant 12-metre long, 800-kg skateboard.

The super-sized skateboard celebrates six newly added events at the Olympic Games, including skateboarding, surfing and three-on-three basketball. Set to break records by entering the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest fully operational skateboard in the world, the board is a symbol of the changing face of the Olympics.

The skateboard is travelling the length and breadth of Aotearoa for the ‘Great Olympic Skate Roadshow’ and will visit over 45 towns in 41 days starting in Kaikohe on Monday 10 May, but first it needs a name.

People can enter their suggestion for a name through ‘The NZ Team’ Facebook and Instagram Pages or via THIS LINK  Entries close on Wednesday 5 May.

The winner will receive a money-can’t-buy New Zealand team experience which includes being flown to Auckland on Sunday 9 May to attend a naming ceremony where Barbara Kendall will announce the name. She will also present the winner with a replica of the skateboard featuring the winning name.

Four runner-ups will receive a $200.00 voucher from Noel Leeming or The Warehouse.

Former Olympic gold medallist Barbara Kendall is chairing the prestigious judging panel which includes Olympians and President of Skateboarding New Zealand Chris Curran.

Kendall says the judges are looking for a uniquely New Zealand name – one that captures all the spirit, mana and pride of New Zealand. They’re looking for an inspiring name for the skateboard that gets Kiwis excited and makes them feel proud to be waving the New Zealand flag during the Games.

With no international spectators allowed at the Tokyo Olympic Games, it’s more important than ever for our Olympians to feel support on their home turf by Kiwis naming and visiting the skateboard.

They’re hoping that names for this very special skateboard will carry the hopes of our Kiwi athletes. During the Great Olympic Skate Roadshow, Kiwis will have the opportunity to meet the skateboard and have some fun by getting involved in some of the new sports on show.

Following the roadshow, the skateboard will be a centrepiece at the new ‘New Zealand Team HQ’ Fan Zone where Kiwis can gather together to celebrate the 2020 Olympic Games, connect with the NZ Team live in Tokyo and show their support for the New Zealand Team. 

More than 200 athletes are expected to represent New Zealand at the Games, which will run from 23 July to 8 August.

Sponsors

The Great Olympic Skate Roadshow is made possible through the support of New Zealand Team partners, major sponsor ANZ, Toyota, The Warehouse Group, Noel Leeming, Cadbury, Barfoot and Thompson and Sport New Zealand.