Arseneau in his last round of the House of Cars open competition

By Lisa Parent

Talented young Albertans take over Beat the Heat festival

Jul 4, 2023 | 6:21 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – On Canada Day, the Medicine Hat Skateboarding Association hosted their annual “Beat the Heat” skateboarding competition along with musical performances. While this was meant to be a celebration of Canada, young Albertan talent became a focal point of this year’s event.

A House of Cars open category competition at Beat the Heat featured skaters of all ages, but 17-year-old Lukas Fraser Arseneau landed almost every trick in his last run, beating out skaters older than him.

“That last run was a really head rush. I wasn’t doing too well in the other competitions, but I decided to not stressed out and I just did my own thing, didn’t worry about it, and just did what I knew I could do and I just killed it,” Arseneau explained.

While skateboarding was the main event on Saturday, another point of interest was only a few steps away. A stage with musical performances gave spectators new entertainment between skate competitions. However, one performance stuck out from the others. A band called “The Cruisers” made up of performers between the ages of 11 to 14. While they may look young, they have been a band for quite a while.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

5h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

“We wanted to start a band when we were in grade three. So it’s just kind of evolved to the four of us. We had like a bunch of stages where it’s like a fun thing at first and then it turned professional a couple years ago,” two members of the band said.

While the band has big goals for the future, their main focus is having fun with their best friends.

“I’m very grateful to be playing music with these guys. I think it was a one in a million chance that I got to meet up with these guys and look where we are now. We’re getting a bunch of gigs this summer. We’ve almost doubled our shows since last year. I’m just really grateful to be here with them,” said Oliver Hopkins, the piano player.

That mentality was no different at the skatepark.

“So I love skateboarding and all, but I really, really, really love the skate community. The skate community is something that is amazing and it brings people together. It’s an awesome community. We all thrive together, especially with the Med Hat skate community, it’s amazing what they do every year,” said skater Arseneau.

Most attendees of Beat the Heat were focused on just that, being grateful to be around friends and family on a warm summer day.