The Sunshine Coast is being thrust into the media spotlight this week, but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.
Last Saturday night, a group of skateboarders in town for the longboard races in Pender Harbour were viciously attacked in their campsite by a group of thugs armed with hockey sticks.
According to witness reports and the longboarders' message board on their website, these 'hicks with sticks' hit women, dogs and people sleeping in tents, sending several people to hospital.
Police are actively investigating this assault, have several suspects and are hopeful arrests are imminent. Police are seeking more information and are urging witnesses to come forward.
News reports in the Vancouver media indicate that witnesses are not coming forward for fear of retaliation. We're hoping that this isn't the case and witnesses will aid in the investigation. These clowns who seem to have nothing better to do on a Saturday night need to be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
This is the second year in a row the longboarding group has been attacked. Last year someone broke into a campsite where competitors were staying. The culprits made off with everything that wasn't nailed down. On race day, the camp was targeted again. Thieves took food and tents, trashed vehicles and helped themselves to the band gear and video and camera equipment.
It's hard enough convincing organizers of major events to come to the Sunshine Coast. But with such levels of theft, vandalism and now these assaults, who would blame them if they decided to never come back?
To the longboarding group, all we can offer is our apologies and hope the next time you come to the Coast, you're treated with some respect. These acts are from a few idiots and don't represent this community. It's too bad this incident tarnished what was otherwise a great weekend of competition for both spectators and competitors.
