If there’s one thing I’ll remember about Summer 2023, it’s the memories we made every week cruising around London’s Hyde Park.

The idea of a weekly longboard cruise was inspired by my time in Los Angeles earlier that year, where my good friends at Vibe Ride LA organise a weekly skate meet-up and cruise around the Venice Boardwalk.

*Vibe Ride LA’s Cruise, by* *Brandon DesJarlais*

We might not have beautiful boardwalks by the ocean in London, but we do have great parks. And so Hyde Ride was born, a weekly cruise around one of London’s most famous parks, Hyde Park.

Who would've thought that something as simple as gathering friends (and soon-to-be friends) to skate around a park could turn into the highlight of my summer? But trust me, it totally did. Here's why it was so awesome:

1. We made the most of the outdoors in summer

Summer is all about seizing those precious outdoor moments, and these weekly cruises allowed us to do just that. In a world where adulting, jobs, and responsibilities can keep you cooped up indoors and miss out on beautiful summer days, these gatherings were an excuse to wrap up work, grab your board, and come join your friends for a summer evening in one of London’s most beautiful parks.

Not everyone can jet off to tropical destinations for the summer, but with Hyde Ride, we could soak up the sun and fresh air right here in our city.

2. We connected with like-minded skaters

In the hustle and bustle of London life, loneliness can creep in - but not when you're surrounded by a group of like-minded skaters. The Hyde Ride meet-ups weren’t just about skating; they were about forming connections. Each meet-up starts with a welcome circle and some ice breakers to ensure everyone feels included, and always includes some kind of group game. These shared experiences transformed strangers into friends, creating a tight-knit community bound by our love for skating.

Over the course of this summer, we grew our community and reinforced the bonds between us.

3. We worked on a skill during summer

Even though these meet-ups started out as purely for fun, we quickly started posting up on a flat stretch of avenue in Hyde Park that's perfect for Longboard Dancing, and worked on our moves until the last bits of light. This meant hours spent practising and learning from each other.

Amidst the excitement of summer, these consistent skate sessions provided a welcomed sense of focus and progress.

*Longboard Dancing at Hyde Ride, by* *Ross Sinclair*

4. We reconnected to our inner child

Remember the carefree days of summer spent playing with friends until the sun went down? Our meet-ups brought back that nostalgic feeling. Leaving the worries of our day jobs behind, we’d gather in Hyde Park, armed with bubble guns and excitement. It was a chance to tap into our inner child, to laugh, play, and create lasting memories.