Montana Skatepark Association

Montana Skatepark Association - Grit to Grind

Regular price $ 40.00

 Pre-Orders are now available through Board of Missoula! All proceeds of "Grit to Grind" go back towards supporting more skateparks and skate-connectivity across Montana! All pre-ordered books can be picked up in person at Board of Missoula on or after 10/14/25, or shipped to your location for an additional shipping charge.

“The inspirational story of the inception, growth, and continued work of the Montana Skatepark Association and their ongoing efforts to build skateparks for communities across Montana. Packed with 100+ vibrant color photographs.


Long before skateboard culture entered mainstream consciousness, for a group of teens growing up in Montana, skateboarding represented the ultimate expression of freedom and creativity. With no dedicated skatepark nearby, skaters sought opportunities several hours or hundreds of miles away—until a core group of childhood friends decided to band together and change the status quo.

This is the remarkable true story of how long-time Missoula residents Chris Bacon, Andy Kemmis, Ross Peterson, and a small army of other volunteers overcame, with perseverance and determination, obstacles like lack of funding, bureaucratic red tape, geographic limitations, and more to create a non-profit organization that has assisted in the funding and creation of nearly fifty skateparks in the state to date.”


The book features:

  • Interviews and testimonials from the people who built the MSA from the ground up

  • Profiles of real skaters who have been have been impacted by the skateparks

  • A foreword by Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament

  • Over 100 full-color insider photographs


TOUR:

October 14, 2025 - Official Book Release event!
Missoula Public Library
455 E. Main St, Missoula, MT
Cooper Room - Level Four
6 - 8 pm
*Fact & Fiction will be on site to handle book sales.

October 16, 2025 -
Reading + Q&A + signing
Montana Book Co.
331 N Last Chance Gulch
Helena, MT
6pm

October 18, 2025 - Sidewalk Signing
Fact & Fiction
220 N Higgins Ave., Missoula, MT
11 am - 3 pm

October 23, 2025 - Reading + Q&A + signing
Chapter One Books
252 Main Street
Hamilton, MT


Dates and Locations for events in Butte, Bozeman and Whitefish (and beyond!)  are in the works. Stay tuned!


kudos for ‘grit to grind’:

 “Grit to Grind is a vibrant, uplifting account of how local skateboarders in Missoula, Montana (one of whom happened to be Jeff Ament, the Pearl Jam bass guitarist) joined forces to build a world-class skatepark that benefited their city in surprising ways. This achievement was followed by the construction of about 50 (and counting) similarly magnificent skateparks in small towns and on Indian reservations across Montana. The positive impact on these communities has been remarkable.” 

Jon Krakauer - New York Times Bestselling Author

 “Ten years ago, my friend gave me a sticker from a skate shop in Missoula, Montana then called Edge of the World. To be honest, I couldn't imagine what kind of place it was. Living in Tokyo, it was unbelievable to me that skateboarders could coexist in this wonderful natural environment where elk roam.

My first trip to Montana was in 2014 when I visited Jeff Ament and was able to skate the Treasure Bowl. It was then that I realized an impressive skateboarding scene had taken root in Montana and was going strong. The skateboarding community is made up of people who support each other. I am proud to be a part of that world and to be able to help in any way I can.”

Haroshi – Artist 

“Montucky rips!!”

Reggie Watts - Musician, Comedian, Author


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