James (Bobby) Ragland, a nearly lifelong resident of Louisa County, is a dedicated skateboarder who has long championed the skateboarding community in his hometown. Despite the county lacking skateboard shops and skateparks during his youth, Ragland’s passion for skateboarding led him to travel across the East Coast in search of places to skate.

In the early 2000s, Ragland founded Bakwuds Skateboards, a company with the mission of making skateboarding affordable and accessible. “Skateboarding can be expensive, and I wanted to create a way for everyone to enjoy it,” Ragland shared. Each Bakwuds skateboard is handcrafted, with unique, hand-made graphics that set them apart from mass-produced boards.

Ragland’s commitment to the skateboarding community extended beyond his business. In 2008, he won a bid to design and construct the county’s first skatepark. The project, completed in the summer of 2008, saw contributions from local skateboarders who helped in the construction.

The Louisa County skatepark became a hub for community events and contests, fostering a vibrant skateboarding culture. However, in 2013-2014, the park was dismantled to make way for new county buildings, with a promise that a new skatepark would be built. Now, at 40 years old, Ragland is still advocating for skateboarding in Louisa County. He has attended county board meetings to remind officials of their promise to rebuild the skatepark. Thanks to the persistent efforts of community members like Brian Hinnat from Skate Dads Anonymous, progress is being made, with plans for a new skatepark set for 2025.

“Considering the millions spent on other sports each year, a skatepark is a modest request. Our county is big, and we need more than one park to meet the demand,” Ragland emphasized. On June 8th, a skateboard event organized by Brian Hinnat and the Greater Rockbridge Skater Coalition (GRCSC) was held in Louisa County, showcasing the community’s enthusiasm for skateboarding.

For more information, visit www.Bakwuds.com.

Jen Bailey

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