MORE THAN CONTESTS: WHY ATHLETES ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO

We’re fresh back from JACKALOPE Mississauga 2026, marking the third stop of our season.

After every single event, our hearts are filled with gratitude as we listen to the feedback from the athletes. We hear it from our Golden Ticket winners, young talents given their very first shot to travel, compete on a global stage, explore new cities & make lifelong friends and memories. And we hear it from experienced pros who travel the world competing at the highest level, yet continuously remind us how unique it feels to be welcomed as part of a family at JACKALOPE.
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Honestly? That’s what keeps our fire burning.
And here’s the truth for every brand that collaborates with us and every city that hosts us: this connection is our secret sauce.

When we say “Passion is Real,” we genuinely mean it

Most of our athletes have been with us for years, but with every new edition, the family grows.

“The relationship that this organization has with the athletes is a thing you can’t replicate… They get a white glove service that you don’t get anywhere else, and you then see that on the course.” Victoria Clarke, CEO of Visit Mississauga

For our entire team, passion comes from seeing athletes have the time of their lives. But it’s also about supporting them on their journey. Athletes aren’t just here to put on a show for the crowd. This is their career, their livelihood, and their life’s work. Our team gets that, and we take it to heart.

What “White-Glove Service” Really Means to Us

Our athlete experience starts the moment they land. We pick up pro athletes at the airport with shuttles driven by local community athletes, loaded with snacks, water, and good vibes.

When we catch up with them over breakfast, we don’t just ask how they are out of politeness, we truly listen. And when a problem comes up? We move mountains to fix it, even before our first cup of coffee.

  • Back at APIK 2024, skier Alais Delevay’s skis were lost in transit. Our team immediately called our local partner, Corbetts, sourced an identical setup, and had her ready to compete that very same day.
  • At JACKALOPE Mississauga 2026, Lofo Nirina (The Visit Mississauga Wild Card from Madagascar) got injured during practice. Within an hour, our team booked him a physio session with our partner Revibe and personally drove him there.

  • Soobeen Park, the young South Korean prodigy (and Women’s Street winner Virginia Beach 2026) was eager to join us again in Mississauga, but her parents were unable to make the trip with her.


    Knowing she would be traveling across the globe on her own, Nate, our Programming Coordinator personally stepped in. From the exact moment Soobeen landed at the airport to the second her flight took off for the way home, our team made sure she was completely looked after, safe, and supported every step of the way.

    And the experience doesn’t stop when the competition ends for the day: from morning breakfasts to the evening after-parties, we make sure our athletes get a true local experience, giving us all a chance to unwind, debrief on the day’s highlights, and simply enjoy being together.

    Beyond these quick saves, we make sure our Athlete Zone is a true heaven: equipped with dedicated physio care, snacks, fresh towels on scorching days, and heat packs when the weather drops.

    Show Time: When the Team Turns Into Cheerleaders

    In our team’s job descriptions, there’s always that famous line: “and all other related tasks.” During competition time, that translates to becoming the ultimate cheer squad!

    We cheer, we high-five, we cry, and we celebrate every single victory alongside the riders.


    When I come to JACKALOPE, I don’t feel like I’m just a number in a contest. I can feel the team cheering for me, genuinely happy when I perform well.” — Ivan Monteiro (Brazil), 2nd place at JACKALOPE Mississauga 2026, Men’s Street Finals

Making Dreams Come True

Over the past few years, with our Golden Ticket program for both APIK & JACKALOPE, this feeling has reached a whole new level.

As we mentioned in our previous article, the Golden Ticket isn’t merely a free pass, it’s a platform for transformation.

It’s their incredible journey, and the time spent with them, that makes our bond even stronger. Always full of gratitude, our winners often bring the sweetest little gifts for Mathilde, our Community Manager (a.k.a. the Golden Ticket godmother).

Watching them grow from their very first podiums to international careers… what more could we ask for?

When Lofo Nirina flew from Madagascar to Canada for the very first time, he wasn’t just coming to compete: he was living a dream.

At the end of the day, these moments are what it’s all about: “Thank you all for making my dream come true.” — Lofo Nirina, Mississauga Wildcard (spotted by The Skate Nomad)

Thank you to all the athletes, partners, and crew who make the JACKALOPE family so special.

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