Purchase a copy of "Grit to Grind" here!
Grit to Grind Book Release Event
Celebrate the release of Grit to Grind with members of the Montana Skatepark Association, including MSA President Chris Bacon and author/photographer Andy Kemmis, as they share an excerpt from the MSA’s stunning hardcover book published by Chronicle Books.
Long before skateboard culture went mainstream, a group of teens in Montana embraced skateboarding as the ultimate expression of freedom and creativity. With no dedicated skatepark nearby, skaters sought opportunities several hours or hundreds of miles away for a chance to skate. That all changed when a core group of childhood friends decided to band together and change the status quo. Grit to Grind tells the inspiring story of the Montana Skatepark Association’s beginnings, growth, and ongoing mission to build skateparks in communities across Montana. Kemmis and Bacon’s new book recaps the early years of skatepark efforts in Missoula and the building of Missoula’s MOBASH skatepark. The book features chapters on Jeff Ament and his Montana Pool Service as well as several profiles of up-and-coming skaters from around Montana. Packed with over 125 vibrant color photographs, Grit to Grind is both a tribute to the past and a rallying call for the future of skateboarding in Montana.
There will be a Q&A with the authors and Fact & Fiction Bookstore will be on hand to sell copies of the book. Doors open at 5:30 PM and the event begins at 6:00 PM.
Andy Kemmis is a photographer and writer based in his hometown of Missoula, Montana, who has been skating for over forty years and has been involved with the Montana Skatepark Association since its inception. See more at andrewkemmis.com or on Instagram @andrewkemmisphoto.
Chris Bacon, a musician and skateboarder, has worked at Board of Missoula for over thirty years and formed the Montana Skatepark Association with lifelong friends. Chris has dedicated his life to sharing all of skateboarding’s positive life lessons with Montana communities and beyond. See more at boardofmissoula.com or on Instagram @boardofmissoula.
The Montana Skatepark Association (MSA) is a unique organization because we are all skaters and skate enthusiasts. We have the skill set that allows us to help communities negotiate the seemingly countless details involved in skatepark construction and programming. We know what works and what doesn’t.
We’re passionate about the free, recreational opportunities that skateparks provide. We feel that skateboarding is a healthy, recreational activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages both as participants and as spectators. Skateboarding equipment is inexpensive and the facilities, once built, require very little maintenance.
Since 2000, the MSA has grown into a professional, experienced and committed organization providing support, consulting and funding for Montana communities who are looking to expand their recreational opportunities. We are 100% volunteer based and every dollar that comes into our organization is spent on building skateparks and skateboarding communities.
Please read our history to get an idea of how we came to be and where we are headed. If you are a representative of a community in Montana that is considering the addition of a skatepark or adding programming to an existing park, please contact us. We’re here to help.
Check out more information about the Skateboard Angel Program here
Learn more about Girls On Shred here
What is Jeff Ament's Army (JAA)?
Jeff Ament's Army is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting Jeff Ament's charitable activities and artistic endeavors. Founded in 2011, JAA is a proud partner of the Montana Skatepark Association.
Learn more about JAA here!
What is Madness In The Mountains (MITM)?
MITM is a statewide fundraiser and skateboard challenge happening all across Montana beginning on June 21, 2025 and running through August 17, 2025. It is a project created by the Montana Skatepark Association (MSA), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization who has been funding and building free, concrete, public skateparks in Montana for over 20 years. To date, the MSA has contributed over $2 million dollars to skateboarding in Montana.
Win Cash Prizes
For the top three fundraisers and skate challenge winners, cash prizes will be distributed in the amounts of:
1st Place = $1000 *
2nd Place = $750
3rd Place = $500
* First place winners in both challenges will receive a custom trophy designed by artist Dylan Goldberger.
