Beat the Heat: Canada’s Largest West Coast Skate Contest

Nineteen years strong and still rolling hard, ‘Beat the Heat’ in Medicine Hat is more than just Canada’s largest West Coast skate contest. It’s a celebration of creativity, community, and courage. With the biggest cash purse in the country and equal payouts for men and women, this event sets the standard for what inclusive, forward-thinking skateboarding looks like. 

From the very first day, I could feel the energy in the air. I showed up early to help with setup, taping down banners, stringing up netting for shade, and connecting with old friends and new faces. There’s something powerful about being behind the scenes before the action starts. That’s where community is built. That’s where ministry often begins.

Medicine Hat Skate has something special going on. There’s a deep-rooted community here, one that cares. You can see it in the way they skate together, create together, and support one another. There’s even a small indoor skatepark tucked inside a storage bay — graciously provided at an insanely low cost by the owner of the local Tim Hortons. That’s what happens when business leaders catch the vision: they see the need for youth spaces and step up. That’s kingdom thinking, whether they realize it or not.

Beyond the contest, I shared lunches with local ministry leaders, hung out with some the best skaters in Canada (and their parents! they travel far and sacrifice a lot), and spent quality time with people at the hotel and around town. Also got to meet Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. I got to share the heart of skate chaplaincy, the idea that we’re not just present at these events, but intentionally bringing the light of Jesus wherever the wheels touch down. She was gracious, curious, and supportive. Moments like that remind me how big this vision really is.

And then — came the river jump.

Beat The Heat is known for their creativity for best trick and this year they outdid themselves, they built an epic gap over the 14 ft creek next to the park. river gap. I stepped up as the third skater to attempt it. Took a few slams. Caught a solid heel bruise as a souvenir. But in one of the moments before trying again, I grabbed the mic, gave a shout-out to the local leaders and honored their creative efforts. After handing off the mic, I felt this overwhelming peace, the Holy Spirit reminding me why I do this.

Centered. Locked in. I rolled up.

This time, the board followed. And I rolled away! Pumped!! 

Throughout the weekend, I prayed with skaters who were injured (there were many — that river gap claimed more than a few bones), and ministered to others just by being present. Skateboarding is the wildest, rawest sport on earth, where we push the boundaries of what we think is possible. And when we do it in the name of Jesus, it becomes more than risk. It becomes worship.

Support Skate Chaplaincy

If this vision resonates with you — if you want to see more chaplains present at contests like this, encouraging, serving, skating, and praying — then would you consider giving?

 https://www.jsaw.org/chaplain

Your support fuels this mission and helps bring light to the places where it’s needed most.