If you've ever felt the need to get away from your little town, if you've ever wanted to kill everybody at your skate park, if you find yourself drawn to the travel sections of your favorite skate publications, then you should seriously consider a long road trip to Spain.
If there was any doubt that Spain is Europe's skating capitol, then just take a look at the results from the 2002 European X Games. Held in Barcelona at the peak of the tourist season, the inline competition was, hands down, the most exciting event of the Games. And that was, in large part, thanks to the strength and power of the Spanish skaters.
It's strange then, that Spain has no real skate parks. While the rest of Europe seems to be paved with perfect transitions and coping, Spain has nothing but the natural landscape of its cities to offer the competitive rollerblader. "There are no skate parks in Spain," says Ivan Malvido of Ourense. "Sometimes I go to France or Switzerland where the parks are very good." So how does Spain produce some of the strongest vert skaters in the world? Jose Felix Hormaetxe and Borja Fernandez get their practice skating in Red Bull demos. The popular energy drink does so many skate demos around Europe that the skaters are able to hone their skills throughout the year and qualify for the X Games.
Jose Felix Hormaetxe of Bilbao is one of those skaters. "Inline in Spain is stronger than ever," says Jose Felix, "We just need promoters to support inline the way they support skateboarding."
The lack of support for Spanish inline is a huge subject of conversation among Spanish skaters. Rollerblading, which two years ago had a strong support structure without the talent pool, now finds itself in the reverse situation. There are mountains of talented skaters in Spain but no corporate support.
"No matter," says Jose Felix with a smile. "Here in Spain, all the rollerbladers support each other." Nel Martin of Barcelona agrees. "I would never say anything bad about another Spanish skater," he says. "I have too much respect."
And respect is a hard enough thing to find these days. Next time you find yourself longing for a getaway, do yourself a favor and get away to Spain.
Related Photos:
BARCELONA DAY THREE - INLINE PARK
BARCELONA DAY THREE - INLINE VERT
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