Who am I?

My name is Glen Arterburn. I was born in 1970 and have lived most of my life in Paducah, KY. I am married and have 4 kids.

What is my connection to skateboarding?

The first time I stepped on a skateboard was probably around 1976. I got more serious about it around 1982. It was meaningful to me back then because it was fun to skate with my friends... it was a rush to bomb hills and survive the dreaded "speed wobbles" on those old skinny boards. It was challenging to practice and learn new tricks. I loved spending my summer days skateboarding for miles all over town... hitting all of the cool spots, grinding and carving... footplants and street inverts... boardslides and ollies.

Through the years I have done many things with skateboarding. I have built many ramps, half-pipes, grind boxes, etc. Through sweat and blood I have suffered plenty of scrapes and bruises. I have driven thousands of miles to skateparks and contests... slept in tents, on ramps, on the open ground, in the back of my truck, in the car, in hotels, etc. I have met many people, skaters, and pro-skaters. I have had some really great times. Man, what good memories I have!

Now, even though I am "old", and I enjoy skateboarding now more than ever. It's fun, challenging, good exercise, etc. No, I never dreamed about becoming a "pro skater" or even "getting sponsored"... I didn't care about that... I just loved skating with my friends. And that's still what I love about it. Skateboarding has brought me some of my best friends and it has taken me many places. And now it has brought me here.

So, why Mission Skateshop?

After working so hard for the past three years to get a skatepark in Paducah, I realized that our local kids also needed a skateshop... a real skateshop. Somewhere to go and hang out, a place to cool off and watch skate videos. A place to be encouraged in what they love... a good environment that has a positive influence on the local skate scene. So, after lots of thought, prayer, faith, and money, Mission Skateshop was born.

Why am I here?

When you enter Mission Skateshop you will see a question on the door. The question is "Why Are You Here?". Only you can answer that question for yourself.

Let me tell you why I am here...

I am a skateboarder. I believe that my love for skateboarding has a purpose. I believe that each of us has a unique mission in life... and I believe that my mission is to help encourage skaters in their lives.

That is my mission... and it's form is in Mission Skateshop... and that is why I am here.