The Dern Brothers Bring Skateboarding Back to Lake Geneva
On September 20th the Lake Geneva skate park came alive in a way it hasn’t for a long time. The Dern Brothers rolled into town for a demo and gave local skaters something they’ll be talking about for years. If you weren’t there, let me try to paint the picture for you because this was more than just a skateboarding demo. It was a reminder of why skateboarding is special, why community matters, and how much energy real pros can bring to a scene.
I’ve been around skateboarding for over 35 years and I can honestly say it has been years since we’ve seen professional-level talent show up in the area. Skateboarding can feel pretty spread out here. You see it on social media, you watch it on video parts, but having it live in front of you is something else. The Dern Brothers showed up ready to skate hard, but what made the day memorable wasn’t just the tricks. It was the way they connected with everyone there.
Not Just a Show, but a Session
Most of the time when pros come through, you expect to see a line of tricks and maybe a quick meet-and-greet after. The Dern Brothers flipped that idea on its head. They skated with the kids, pushed alongside them, and made it feel like everyone was part of the action. Instead of separating themselves on the biggest obstacles, they flowed through the park with everyone else, taking turns, laughing, hyping up tricks, and showing what skateboarding really looks like when it’s shared.
I saw kids who usually hang back at the park suddenly trying tricks with confidence because the Derns were right there encouraging them. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t some “you get two minutes with the pros” type of thing. It felt natural, like we were all in one big session. That vibe carried through the whole day.
The Level of Skateboarding
Of course, the skating itself was unreal. The Dern Brothers have the kind of energy that can take an ordinary park and make it feel different. They went full throttle, charging bowls, hitting rails, launching off of things that made them seem to hang in the air forever. Every trick seemed like it had that extra push of commitment, the kind you don’t see every day at a local park.
What impressed me the most was how versatile their skating is. They didn’t just focus on one section of the park. They hit everything, transitions, ledges, rails, flatground. At one point I watched them link lines that made the park feel like a video game level, where every piece of concrete had a purpose. That creativity rubbed off on everyone else too. Suddenly kids were trying lines they’d never thought of before, inspired by the flow the brothers brought to the place.
A Long Time Coming
It can’t be overstated how important this was for Lake Geneva. For a long time, we haven’t had pro skaters come through. The scene has stayed alive thanks to dedicated locals, but having professionals show up lights a fire that nothing else can match. The Dern Brothers reminded us what’s possible, what skateboarding can look like when you push a little harder and let go of the fear.
I could see it on the faces of the younger kids who were probably watching pros live for the first time. Their eyes followed every trick. You could almost feel their excitement building as they realized that the guys on their phone screens were now right there in front of them, skating the same ramps they ride every day. That kind of connection is huge, it bridges the gap between seeing skateboarding and truly believing in it.
More Than Just Tricks
What stood out most was the way the Dern Brothers carried themselves. They weren’t distant. They weren’t rushing through the day. They were approachable, laughing with the crowd, talking to kids about their boards, giving pointers, and making sure everyone felt like part of the session. That kind of energy sticks. It makes skateboarding less about levels and more about community.
The After Effects
By the time the day wrapped up, people were buzzing. You could feel that post-session glow, the kind that keeps you replaying moments in your head long after you’ve gone home. Everyone had a story to tell. “Did you see that 540?” “I can’t believe he landed that! That was huge.” “Remember when Dalton ollied from the piano INTO the bowl?” It was the kind of event that creates shared memories, the kind that strengthens a scene.
I’ve been to plenty of demos over the years, and many of them blur together. This one won’t. This one felt personal. It wasn’t a stage show with the pros up here and the locals down there. It was one big crew, skating together and feeding off each other’s energy.
What It Means for the Future
Events like this don’t just end when the skaters leave. They plant seeds. The Dern Brothers brought something back to Lake Geneva that had been missing: inspiration. I can guarantee there are kids right now replaying what they saw and planning their next trip to the park. Some will be trying tricks they didn’t think were possible before. Others will just be stoked to be part of skateboarding again.
That’s the lasting impact of a day like that. It reminds everyone why we picked up a board in the first place. It’s about fun, progression, community, and energy. Watching the Dern Brothers tear up the park while making sure everyone else felt included was a perfect example of skateboarding at its best.
Closing Thoughts
If you missed it, I’m sorry you couldn’t be there, because the Dern Brothers gave Lake Geneva something rare. But the good news is the energy is still here. You can feel it when you roll into the park. You can see it in the kids who now skate with more confidence. The vibe they left behind isn’t going anywhere.
On September 20th the Dern Brothers didn’t just skate. They reminded us what skateboarding means when it’s shared. They brought life back into the scene and left us all more stoked than ever to keep pushing. If you ever get a chance to see them in person, don’t hesitate. But for Lake Geneva, this one will always be remembered as the day skateboarding came roaring back to town. I’d like to personally thank Kanaan, Dalton and Destin Dern for coming to town and hyping the kids up on skating. It’s one thing to see this stuff on TV or in a mag, but to see it in person hits different. Hopefully the memories of this event will last a lifetime for everyone that was there.
