Hay River (Sep 27/04) - In June of last year, two young women from Hay River were sitting in a Grande Prairie Boston Pizza talking about opening a business.

Over the meal, Natacha Kruger and Claude Delorme came up with the idea of a skateboard shop.

On Oct. 1, that idea comes to reality when they officially open Forward Skateboard Shop -- the first store in Hay River dedicated to the sport.

"Both of us always wanted to open a business," says 26-year-old Delorme.

Neither of the business partners skateboard, but they don't see that as a problem.

"We enjoy the sport. We just can't do it," Kruger, 24, says with a laugh.

They explain that skateboarding is more than just a sport -- it is also a fashion.

"All the kids here, that's all they wear," Kruger says.

So along with skateboards and helmets, they will sell clothing, hats, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, watches and even underwear of the skateboarding lifestyle.

"It's like street fashion," Delorme explains.

The entrepreneurs have worked on their idea for a year, drawing up a business plan and securing a government loan and grant.

Both are originally from Quebec, but met in Hay River in early 2003. Kruger came North to visit her father and is now engaged, while Delorme came to teach French.

Once their business is established, the pair hopes to sponsor workshops and bring in professional skateboarders from the south.

They already sponsored the X-Games at the Hay River Community Youth Centre.