Be careful, a poser is very different from a beginner in skateboarding, in fact, it is quite the opposite. A poser is about a person who does not belong to the skateboarding world, and who only appropriates the style of the skater just for his image.

Style and hardware of the skater poser

The Mall Grab

Let’s get to the heart of the matter right away… The Mall Grab! This is the poser’s favorite trick….

The origin of the word comes from young people who used to go out in the malls, with a skate just for style. It means, not knowing how to use a skateboard and perhaps for some of them, having never ridden on it.

The Mall Grab consists of carrying your skateboard by the board’s truck. Which generally is the dirtiest part of the skate, full of wax, dust and other grime. But no problem for the posers, as it is possible that this part of their skate may never have touched the ground. (While generally, a skateboard is carried by holding it in the middle, on your sides. Preferably on the side of the wood, so as not to damage your clothes with the friction of the griptape).

There are obviously riders who are not immersed in the world of freestyle skateboarding (or street skateboarding), or for example people with cruisers or longboards, who only use their skate to get around. These people do not enter into the magnificent posers category.

Anyway, if you meet people with a street deck held in Mall Grab, this might not be the right person to propose a session or a Game of skate.

Wear brand new clothes to go skateboarding

Well, for those who thought that the dress style was of great importance, we are far from the mark.

Although you can go skate with the clothes you want to wear the most, a skateboarder is very rarely dressed in completely new clothes. Especially if you’re just starting out… and even after many years of skateboarding, you will rarely wear new clothes to go out skating.

Even if sponsored skateboarders are used to receiving equipment and sometimes clothing, the vast majority of skaters ride with (more or less) damaged clothes. Holes in T-shirts, pants or even shoes are not unusual, especially after a good street session.

Just keep in mind that this is not essential to go skateboarding with new clothes just to show off your style. Come as you feel most comfortable, and don’t spend all your savings on brand new clothes just to look pretty and catch the eye.

Hardware that is always new or used unusually

The poser does not use his board, or very little. When he does, we can see his board is worn in unlikely places! What do I mean? Well it can happen that a poser scratches his board on the sidewalks or on the ground, just to make it look like he has done slides or grinds with it!

Unlaced shoes are also a sign of a good poser. You might think that a skater never has these laces securely fastened, but it’s quite the opposite. We would prefer to have the laces properly made to keep perfectly our feet in the shoes.

Skateboarding in the rain… Except if you may have an old board to get around in any weather, a skateboarder never uses his skateboard in the rain. The boards and components of the skateboard are very sensitive to water.

Attitude of the skater poser

Seek to be a Thrasher Skateboarder

Today in 2020, skaters are still often associated with a rebellious image and representing a “menace” to society… Well, I may be exaggerating by saying that we are perceived as a menace, rather say that we are not the most appreciated in our cities. Since we spend most of our time in the streets, we have to strive to set a good example and thus to change minds about our community.

Another thing, don’t try to look like a Thrasher skater, or a Piss Drunk skater. You could put yourself in complicated situations, and sometimes even put yourself in danger. All this to impress a few people, it’s really not worth it.

Make simulations

It means trying to do a trick that is usually more complicated than your level can allow, and just to show others that you are “good” at skateboarding. By doing this, it will be quite the opposite that you are going to make appear…

For example: the classic poser that tries to do a 360 flip, while the Ollie is not yet well integrated. (I’m not saying that it’s forbidden to try, far from it, but simply not to do it just to show off and call attention).

Remember that it is important to not skip stages. With constant skateboarding you will see that you will learn new tricks soon enough.

Get upset over nothing

We’re still close to the previous tip, because very often the same type of person would tend to get angry over nothing, pretending to learn a trick and swing their board against the ground.

So we control ourselves a bit, and we don’t throw our board because we can’t tackle a trick we just tried for the first time …

There are many situations that can drive you crazy, so don’t overdo it for nothing.

If you feel like you’re on the edge of your nerves, take a break. Try to redo a few tricks that you are used to do. Then come back to your trick once you have a clearer state of mind.

The skater poser is a liar

If you’ve ever met posers, then you’ll already know they love to tell amazing stories. Like “Wah the other time I land a flip first try on 10 steps, you should have seen that …”

If you have any doubts, ask their few questions specific to the world of skateboarding to destabilize them. Ask them if they are goofy or regular? Who are their favorite skaters? The last skate part they watched? Etc….

P.-S.: Note that the pose also loves hanging out on famous skate spots, or in skateshops. Just to show off and be seen in these places.

Cultural appropriation

In summary, although posers are easily associated with the world of skateboarding, this type of behavior can easily be found in other sports and environments.

However, we will understand that the appropriation of a culture should not be done to give oneself a “good” style. Nor to impress or draw attention to oneself.

Especially since skateboarding has a dense culture and remains for the vast majority of our community a real lifestyle with important values to respect.

Anyway, before skateboarding for the others, skate for yourself and have fun on your board!

The article How to differentiate a real skater and a poser? appeared first on La Skateosphere.

Obviously, when to change your skateboard deck will depend on how you use it. Note that, when we talk about changing a skateboard, we very often talk about the wooden board (the deck), and not the complete skateboard.

Different types of practice

It goes without saying, if you ride several times a week, you will wear it out much faster than if you only use it every other weekend. A skateboard deck can therefore last between a few days for some riders, against several months for others.

If you are used to street skateboarding, you will tend to damage it more easily than in a skatepark. Due to the fact that some spots in the street are not necessarily smooth, and can do a lot of damage. Special mention for the “chips” (or “dents”, those pieces of wood that come off after an impact against a wall or on rough pavement):

And then generally, the practice of the street being more committed, the skateboard is getting damaged more quickly than in a skate park. This second place being specially designed for the practice of skateboarding and considered as a place more dedicated to “training”.

In a skatepark, you will also tend to damage your board a bit more if you do technical tricks, rather than ramps, where there is a little less impact.

Ok, but when should I change my skateboard deck?

Okay, if you’ve snapped your skateboard, or cracked the nose or tail… then you have no choice but to head to the skate shop to buy a new deck!

But if your board is still in one piece, in other words, if it is still usable, there will be a moment when it will be too worn and could be disabling and make us lose those good sensations of riding.

Be careful, each skater has their own habits and also different skills. Some skaters still do very well even with a damaged board. So I’m not saying that changing boards is the key to success … But it is true that a worn board could slow down your progress and your capacity to learn new tricks.

Riding with a board that is too worn and weakened can even be dangerous in some cases. Especially on skate gaps or rails.

You should feel it

Normally you will know when it is time to change your board. It feels like the board is soft. Tail and nose start to chip and the pop does not act correctly when you try to Ollie.

You can do the test of hitting the tail against the ground with a new board and an old board. The noise is completely different because the layers of wood are damaged and / or peeled off. You can also compare the size of a new board with a used board and see the difference of size. In fact, the friction of the nose and tail against the ground gradually eat the board and thus reduces the space where you place your feet.

Between the loss of the pop on your board, dents and chips, the wood that comes off, the cracks, the wear of the grip with a grain that does not grip properly under your soles, contact with water … So many elements every day deteriorating your board a little more and pushing you to replace it.

Good to know:

Skateboards hate water, so it will never be used in the rain. We will also try not to drop it into the water when we skate towards water points, puddles …

About the graphic under the board, this one is of no importance in the quality of the skate itself. The most vulnerable parts to get damaged are the tail and nose, the griptape, and the middle of the board, which can crack after a bad landing.

Idealy and to avoid breaking your board, you will always try to cushion your landings well. And to distribute your weight by placing your feet as close as possible to the 8 screws. Do not worry, there is nothing wrong with breaking a board, you can’t always land a trick properly. And I let you imagine the countless number of boards broken by some of our favorite pro skaters …

To get your skate stuff, always buy or order in stores specializing in skateboarding. In addition to supporting a skate shop, you will avoid ordering from a site that does not know much about the world of skateboarding, and which sells poor quality products. You might be attracted to the economical price, but the quality is not the same because the materials are different and much less resistant and / or efficient.

Find better sensations on your new skateboard:

Buying a new skateboard is always nice (except for the wallet …). You will met again some good sensations. A pop that allows you to go higher, the sound of the tail well pronounced, a grip that sticks well under the feet… (Even a little too much sometimes for some tricks and the first sessions) … In short, you will feel more confident for your next sessions and to land all your tricks. Almost as comfortable as Eric Koston in his baby seat.

While it is a real pleasure to ride with new equipment, we do not all have the same needs and priorities. And above all, not all of us are lucky enough to be able to buy a new board on a regular basis.

So take care of your board to keep this feeling of freshness as long as possible! Protect your board and your grip from water, rain, dirt … If your grip is brand new take a look under your soles when you get to the park. It could save you from unpleasant surprises. Also, don’t keep your board in a place that’s too hot, too cold, or too humid.

The skateboard decks are made of 7 thin layers of maple wood, glued together with a special glue. We understand that certain external factors can interfere with the durability of your skateboard!

What about the other components of your skateboard?

You will not change the other parts of the skateboard as regularly as the deck. But we will see in a new article when to replace them with the various signs of wear. In the meantime, I leave you a link to a tutorial to assemble your skateboard. Also available with Spanish and English subtitles.

The article When should you change your skateboard? appeared first on La Skateosphere.

Today we are going to see together this great love story between skateboarding and injuries. Skateboarding is part of the extreme sports category. And who says extreme sport necessarily says risk taking, engagement, falls and sometimes injuries… Please note, this is not a medical post, but some real facts about the world of skateboarding that I am telling you since my personal experience.

I will explain better in another article, “How to properly heal a skateboard injury?”

The feet:

I think the most common injury for skaters is the sprained ankle. Although it’s a minor injury, it’s very common and each sprain will weaken the ligaments a little more. For my experience, after ten years of skateboarding I do not count these any more… I will just add that there are different types of sprains, from the simple stretching of the ligament, until the complete rupture of the latter.

Here are some recommendations for sprains and similar injuries.

The RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. Applicable for several skateboarding injuries.

First the rest of the ankle without stressing it too much for more or less 2-3 days. After this delay, you can lean a little on the ankle if it does not hurt you too much, because its articulation will promote healing. (More or less 6 weeks before resumption of sport for a sprain not too serious).

Apply cold to the area for 20 minutes several times a day. This will help reduce inflammation by constricting the blood vessels.

Compress the area, this will allow you to support damaged ligaments and reduce bruising.

When you can, lie down and raise your leg more or less 10cm above the heart. This will allow better circulation of blood and allow better evacuation of the inflammation fluid.

In addition you can also apply anti inflammatory creams on the area. Or make a poultice of green clay that will promote healing and reduce edema.

Still in relation to the feet, the toes can also be subjected to shocks: sprain, strain, fracture, etc.

After falling from a certain height, the heel can also get injured. To reduce the risk, I recommend the use of reinforced or orthopedic soles, or the special skate soles: footprint insoles. You can also check the new Neen Williams skate shoes, the FP Footwear Intercept Shoes.

Knee:

The knee and the cruciate ligaments, one of the great hauntings of the sportsman. An injury which can unfortunately happen to both beginners and more experienced … The knee is held by several ligaments (internal and external collateral ligament and anterior and posterior ligament). Following a false movement, we will find several stages of sprains ranging from the most benign to the rupture of the ligament. Today this injury is treated well, however the healing time of this injury is quite long. I think it’s approximately 6 months without sport before starting rehabilitation. As an anecdote, after a bowl session and sitting on my knee, I did a stage 2 knee sprain and I think I have gradually resumed the sport after 2-3 months. The use of a splint is strongly recommended.

The sciatic nerve:

Maybe some of you have experienced this kind of pain without knowing what it was all about. The sciatic nerve is a nerve that runs from the lower back to the feet. It is then easy to understand that if one of the parts on the path of the nerve is inflamed, discomfort or pain can be felt at another end. For example after a fall on the the buttock behind the thigh, intense pain is felt, which can affect tingling in another area of ​​the leg.

Here is an exercise that I recommend for relieving pain from the sciatic nerve (this technique works with me). Step on stairs, leave your leg in the air and move back and forth parallel to the step. This will relieve the pain and unblock the compressed nerve a little.

Adductors :

A big gap, a broken board and you do a split… you will surely have a problem with adductors for a few days, and you would need to have a new fresh deck to your skate shop. Same if you push very hard without having warmed up, you might not feel anything the same day, but the next day it is possible to feel this discomfort. The inner part of the thigh shouldn’t hurt at rest, but the pain will be felt when you move the thigh apart. To calm it down, you can put some cold, have some massages, rest and a gentle recovery. From a few days to several weeks for recovery.

Hands :

At the level of the hands, wrists are also very stressed due to the fact of catching up by reflex on the hands, it can happen to make sprains, or even fractures. Still speaking about the hands, one of the most fragile parts of this area is the scaphoid! A small bone between the wrist and the forearm. This fracture is not very painful, but can be quite painful to treat.

It can also happen to twist a finger, but overall, injuries to the hands are much less disabling than others, since you will still be able to walk, run, maybe even skate gently (even if I recommend you to be very careful in your condition). For the wrist which will be fragile during recovery, you can use a splint to give it greater support.

Arms:

Aside from the “pizzas” (burns at the elbows) that will leave you with beautiful scars by dint of falling on them, a broken forearm is also one of the injuries known in the skateboarding world. This can happen if the arm receives a very strong shock. Or by applying too much weight to the arm while trying to absorb a fall with the hands on the ground.

Again there are several types of fractures, with displacement of the bones or not. A non-displaced fracture does not require surgery, but simply immobilization under plaster. (Resumption of sport is more or less between 10-12 weeks).

Shoulders and collabones :

A bad roll on the ground, or a too violent shock on your shoulder can involve a dislocation of the shoulder, or a sprain or fracture of the collarbone. For my part, I didn’t go as far as the broken collarbone (+/- 6 weeks of immobilization). But another stage 2 sprain and the appearance of the piano key due to the displacement of the collarbone. It happened to me and several of my friends, if we restart sport too early generally we do not escape to a second sprain…. So take the time to take care of all this.

Face:

Always have the reflex to protect your face. Whether you feel a deck comeback, as if you find yourself very unbalanced and dive towards a faceplant, try to protect your face with your hands.

In skateboarding, the most common injuries to the face are usually the chin, the arch, or more annoying, the teeth! Fortunately these days, we do wonders in the orthodontic environment. There is only to see the recovery of Ivan Monteiro after his fall on a 360 flip lipslide during the 2019 street league in Rio de Janeiro.

Head:

Head impacts are not the most common injuries in skateboarding. But they should not be taken lightly. If you have nodded your head, and despite the fact that you do not feel bad, do not hesitate to go to the hospital. Ask a friend to accompany you and they will do tests to check if everything is in order. After a head injury, vomiting may also be felt, due to stimulation of the trigger area (the vomiting area). If you lost consciousness don’t hesitate to call emergency services.

On top of that, the head is bleeding a lot. If you are a little open do not worry, we can sew you up without problem, even if I must admit that the feeling is very unpleasant.

I can only advise you to wear a helmet… especially for the youngest and people who are new to skateboarding.

Last important note:

If you fall, get back on your skateboard right away. Obviously within reason (if it is a figure that you think you can do and that is within your abilities without putting yourself in danger). Even if you don’t pass the figure it doesn’t matter. Getting back on the board and trying again will allow you not to have a psychological blockage. Which will give you a feeling of fear in your future skate sessions.

Skateboarding injuries are unfortunately part of the game when you skate. Thanks to your years of practice, you will learn to control your pain, avoid injuries as much as possible, and treat them as best as possible before getting back on your board.

If you witness a fall or accident, help the person right away. For the youngest, go get an adult who can help you in this situation. And in more serious cases, do not hesitate to contact the emergency services.

If you’ve stayed this far, thank you! I hope you enjoyed the article, and I hope you did not find this article because you are injured, if so I wish you the best recovery… I know it’s boring but with patience and a gradual resumption you will come back even stronger of this injury 💪

I take this opportunity to announce the opening of the online skate shop of La Skateosphere, which just opened a few days ago, and where you can find all the necessary skate equipment for your next sessions: decks, trucks, wheels, bearings…

Visit the Skateshop

Do not hesitate if you need advice, or if you are looking for a special product or a size not available on the site.

You can contact me directly from the email at the bottom of the page, or on @laskateosphere‘s Instagram.

With that being said, take care of yourself and have a good session guys!

The article The most common injuries in skateboarding appeared first on La Skateosphere.

Generally, DIY skateparks are skate spots that are built on abandoned or disused terrain, created by groups of local skaters who are really motivated.

In these following cases, I think that the different skateboard collectives are in agreement with the cities and competent authorities to carry out their constructions legally. They can then put all their efforts to design the modules of their dreams.

These are places open to the public where you can go skating even without knowing anyone. Anyway, you will quickly meet people. And if you are motivated, you can even come and lend a hand. Most of them have opened participatory crowdfunding, providing financial support for construction and the purchase of materials.

Once there, always respect the facilities, especially if you were not involved in their construction. For those who are new, I leave you the article on the main rules of the skatepark that apply to any type of spot.

Bobila Project:

Located in Bobila Park in Badalona, ​​this DIY is one of the most famous in Barcelona and certainly the most visited. Especially for its ease of access and its proximity to the center of Barcelona. If you need to take a break, you will find a grocery store and even a bar / restaurant just a few blocks away.

If I am not mistaken, this project exists since the end of 2013? In any case, the modules have evolved over the years and have multiplied, the most experienced skaters with years of practice will be able to confirm this!

La Bobila is more street oriented. Many concrete curbs, others with iron edges, and even marble… a manual pad, a flatbar, kicker, eurogap, small banks and wallrides. Ramp part: a very inclined ramp, but also a smaller one to learn tricks. Two other original ramps: a small spine and a large wall with an edgy transfer.

Support the project :

When they make new modules, and like most DIY skateparks, they sometimes post on their Instagram to ask if people want to help. It’s cool to skate, but you have to build it all before!

And if you don’t have too much time, but still want to make a small contribution, you will find an online crowdfunding “go fund me”: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bobila-project-diy

Caribu DIY :

A little further from Barcelona, in the city of Mataro, you will find the DIY Caribu 304. Self-managed by a collective of skaters from the city, they started building this DIY a few years ago. It bears the name of the old Caribu factory, an old abandoned factory where only the floor slab remained.

The ramps and transitions are really fun! Nice corners, a big steep ramp, a volcano, and I think there was even a big rainbow (to check). The street part is also nice, flat rail, curbs, kicker, manual pad with a small curve…

Right in the city center, you will also easily find what you need to shop a few streets away if necessary.

Support the project : 

Like Bobila Project, they have a Gofundme crowfunding where you can contribute online if you wish: https://www.gofundme.com/f/diycaribu304.
They usually post on their Instagram when they are preparing new modules and there may be times when they need help.

Spotter DIY :

Once again around Barcelona, ​​this time in Badia del Valles. The DIY is located near the IKEA next to the Repsol petrol station. Another abandoned space that has been laid out perfectly for skateboarding, and again it is a spot created thanks to the motivation of local skaters. Add to that, a good understanding with the neighboring, and the fact that the park does not disturb anyone in terms of noise. Sabadell skaters are already preparing a new DIY skatepark “El Valley DIY”.

It’s located outside the city, so do not hesitate to bring a little something to drink and / or eat because the shops are quite far away.

This is a skatepark for Bowl fans, filled with ramps and transitions! You will find ramps of all shapes, a spine, two volcanoes, bumps, a rainbow, a margelle coping….

And for the street part, a lot of curbs, a flatbar, slappy curb and a manual pad among others.

Support the project:

Unlike the other DIY skateparks, their choice was not to open a prize pool online to finance the project. But if you go to the spot, and you want to bring a little something, then you can totally participate with a few euros, a few beers for the locals or even a helping hand if necessary. Main funds are generated by the local skaters…

El Valley DIY :

As mentioned earlier, here is somehow the creation of the Spotter DIY 2. We should hear a little more about it in the coming weeks! 2020 is just the beginning. But those guys are super motivated, once again and the first modules look great.

Curbs, round flat rail, small transition kicker, and a slightly special flat curb with a part that allows you to up on it, the curb and at the end of the curb, a little kicker.

Once again, if you liked the park and want to contribute, here is the Go Fund Me prize pool: https://www.gofundme.com/f/valley-diy

Picnic DIY:

This one is the most recent DIY, and it’s just in the center of Barcelona (District Poblenou). Right next to the Poblenou cemetery.

This DIY is more oriented street, and it is already equipped with several modules! Among others: a flat bar, banks / wall, curbs, manual pad, pole jam, picnic table, etc ….

If you want to contribute, here is a Go Fund Me prize Pool : https://gofund.me/848a9a1c

A big thank you to the locals for all their efforts and without whom we could not ride these excellent skate spots.

Remember that you can contribute if you want, either with the Gofundme, or directly on the spots with the skaters!

Finally and we can never say it enough, we have to keep the spots clean after our visit and pick up our trash before leaving the skateparks.

Find the DIY skateparks on the Barcelona skate spots map of La Skateosphere. And much more, with all the most famous skate spots to ride in Barcelona.

The article The main DIY skateparks of Barcelona appeared first on La Skateosphere.

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably been dreaming about getting your own skateboard for several days. You will have already ruled out the scooter option… excellent! But first of all, do you know what kind of skateboard is the right one for you? And how to choose your first skateboard ?

Longboard

Do you like speed, downhill or long distance travel? Then it’s definitely a longboard you’re looking for. Due to my lack of experience on longboards, I can’t give you a lot of details about these boards. I leave you a site with a little more info about these boards : longboard boardshop. But don’t worry, you will be able to do great downhills even with other kind of skateboards.

Penny skate or Cruiser ?

Two types of skateboards to revive the old school look of the 80’s.

The penny remains the choice with the smallest size, but is easily assimilated to a children’s toy. Moreover, it is not the most comfortable to place your feet correctly. If your use of skateboarding is mainly dedicated to trips in town, then I recommend you rather go for a cruiser.

Just like the penny skate, it is equipped with soft wheels to move you on the roughest roads and sidewalks. It’s the perfect ally for urban travel, with a larger surface area than the penny and a much smaller footprint than a longboard and better maneuverability.

Classic skateboard!

Finally, there’s a good chance you’ve found this article from the skateosphere if you’re interested in classic skateboarding. By this I mean skateboarding “to do tricks”, jumping off stairs and riding on ramps. After many years of evolution, and thanks to advanced technology and performance, a new, more balanced and lighter design is now available:

We will see together the different parts that make your skateboard.

The board :

Today, there are many brands and choices of skate decks… but then which one to choose ? In European brand, you will find the leader Jart with accessible prices. And many other companies like Nomad Skateboard in Spain with excellent designs, or Magenta for France. It is important to buy your skateboard in a specialized store, to have quality material and not a toy type skateboard that you can find in supermarkets . Nudes boards (without specific brands, wood color) are also a good alternative.

The boards are always made of 7 plies of wood, and the material used remains Canadian maple wood, known for its resistance and flexibility. For the curious, I invite you to watch Gregory Cognet’s video, which explains in detail how a skateboard is made by hand.

First of all, the size of the skateboard? Very generally, we recommend a thinner size to start and also to do flip tricks. Between 7,5″ and 8″ at the most so that you are comfortable enough on your board. If your main practice is curving, then we can go to 8″ and + boards. For old school skaters, the companies offer wider skates between 9″ and 10″.

The concave of the skate: this is the shape and depth of your skate, more or less raised on the sides. To begin, prefer a medium or light concave, which will be more manageable in its use.

The grip : very often skateshops offer you a grip with the board. But sometimes it’s not the case, choose the great Jessup griptape if possible, a sure value.

Wheels:

To begin, we will privilege soft wheels, more comfortable to move around. For tricks and street, we usually use wheels between 49mm and 53mm, against 53mm and 60mm for the bowl or ramp.

A mid-range will be more than enough to start and practise. If you want to upgrade later, Spitfire and Bones are still for me the top 1 value for money.

Bearings:

Actually, I’ve only been using one type of bearing for a few years now… Red Bones Bearings. Great value for money, combining resistance and speed. The higher the “Abec” are, the better the bearing performs, but little loss of resistance to shocks.

Trucks (skate axles):

Their size varies according to the size of your board, with a 7,75″ you can choose 139mm trucks. Against trucks of 149 from 8,1″. The Independent brand remains one of the best options, although more expensive. Thunder is an excellent brand and a bit more economical.

Screws & tools:

Finally, the screws, to attach your trucks to your board. The color is not important, however some marks often leave a screw of a different color. This will indicate the nose and tail of your skateboard.

You will need a tool to mount it. I recommend you to choose the model that has a die in the center. Indeed, it’s not rare that the threads on the axles of your trucks get damaged. You change a bearing in session, and after removing the wheel, impossible to screw the nut again… use this tool to rethread the thread.

I’ll publish soon a video about skateboard assembly. In the meantime, if you already have your board, you can arm yourself with your tool and start the assembly. And why not already make you want to go to skate all the spots in Barcelona?

Before letting you mount your board by yourself, each skateboard has a front (nose) and a back (tail). You will recognize the nose by a slightly wider and steeper shape, while the tail is a little more rounded and less curved.

Anyway, don’t hesitate to ask the skateshops in your town, they will be happy to help you choose your first skateboard correctly.

If you need more information, or have any doubts about the different models of skateboards, I’ll be happy to help you.

The article Choosing the right skateboard appeared first on La Skateosphere.

Lords of dogtown

If I had to put a movie at the top of that chart, then it would definitely be “The Lords of Dogtown“. Inspired by the Z-boys and written by Stacy Peralta, the film tells the story of a group of skaters from the 70s who had a considerable influence on the movement and revolutionized skateboarding.

We will discover in this film how the great drought of 1976 in the United States had repercussions on the creation of new spots for skaters. Waves breaking 24 hours a day every day? But where to find such a spot in the middle of the city? Well in the swimming pools (bowls) which were emptied during the drought. It’s from there that new tricks appear, leaving the possibility for the riders to express themselves and to discover new variations on their boards…

Later, with the development of skateboarding, the formation of competitions, sponsors… will follow a real race against the clock of the best rider. Among them, the famous Jay Adams, Stacy Peralta and Tony Alva.

An almost entirely true story. For the most curious, I leave you below archive images of the real lords of Dogtown, the Z-Boys:

Street dreams

This second film tells us the story of a young skater with the dream of one day being sponsored, and later to become a professional. For those of you who don’t skateboard, I’ll tell you what it means to become a professional. It usually means being sponsored by a brand, and having a board with your name: a pro model. In short, to get back on track, the main character is played by pro skateboarder Paul Rodriguez. A young guy with a lot of talent on his board, but who is not sufficiently supported by his friends and family. His parents, friends and classmates don’t understand how he can have so much passion for something that has no future in their eyes. A very good film that pushes him to pursue his dreams and ignore some people’s opinions.

The director of this film is neither more nor less than Rob Dyrdek. A great skater and entrepreneur, he is the founder of the Street League, one of the biggest skateboarding competitions in the world. The film is available on Youtube I leave you a link below :

Mid90’s

The first time I heard about this film was from my mother, worrying about my youth, and whether she had been a good mother…

Mid 90’s is a Jonah Hill movie set in the city of Los Angeles. It traces the life of a 13 year old skater in the 90’s with a delicate family situation. An absent father, a mother not present enough and a violent brother. One day, he meets a group of skaters at the Motor Avenue skateshop. And discover how skating was a way to escape from life’s problems and felt for the first time that he belonged to a group. He even gets a nickname: sunburn. Wanting to gain the team’s trust, he comes to take risks that could put his life in danger.

The skaters and main actors are Sunny Suljic, Olan Prenatt, and Nakel Smith. A good film in the spirit of the skateosphere

Minding the gap

It is a documentary film directed by Bing Liu, and shot over 12 years in his hometown of Rockford, Illinois. He filmed himself and his friends, a bunch of skaters from the inner city of Rockford, on their skates and in their personal lives. The director shows us how skateboarding can be a real replacement family for these boys.

This work presents us with a multicultural society and many inequalities. It deals with family problems, unwanted pregnancy, alcohol…

The objective of the filmmaker was to highlight a difficult and underprivileged youth, which is unfortunately still too present in our societies .

Paranoïd park

Paranoïd park is a Franco-American film, directed by Gus Van Sant. The film is adapted from the novel of the same name written by Blake Nelson. The main character is a young teenager, Alex. He is living a complicated situation, his mother is on the verge of a crisis and he has very few friends. He then withdraws into himself and goes skateboarding.

Everything goes well, until one day he takes a clandestine train and accidentally kills a night watchman…

All the tension in the film rests on the young teenager’s guilt, after he unintentionally commits the murder of the security guard. The viewer is not pushed to judge his behaviour, but rather to feel the impact and consequences of this murder.

The film is shot in Portland, Oregon, including the well-known Burnside Skatepark.

It is available on Youtube in English:

Skate gang

A little more vintage and also known as Thrashin. Patinar o Morir. This is a film by David Winters, which was released in 1986. In which we find appearances of famous skaters like Tony Hawk, Tony Alva or Steve Caballero.

The film takes place in Los Angeles, and is about a war between two rival gangs of skaters. The problems will start when one of the leaders falls in love with a girl. Not just any girl… the rival leader’s sister! Then begins a long confrontation to decide who will be the king of skateboarding.

Thrashin trailer:

Skate or die

I also leave you the movie Skate or die as a recommendation. This time a French film by Miguel Courtois shot in the streets of Paris. It has been quite criticized and has not received unanimous approval, but it is a film that will appeal to a certain audience. The synopsis is the following, two young ordinary skaters, Mickey and Idriss who are going to witness a murder. Present at the scene of the crime, they are spotted and have to flee. A matter of life and death. While trying to take refuge in a police station, they will quickly understand that the killers are in fact corrupt policemen! There follows an endless chase to try to escape from them.

As previously mentioned, there are many films dedicated to skateboarding, allowing to discover this universe. Nevertheless, and as in other films where the presence of skateboarding can be found, the least familiar audience can easily associate this universe with a delinquent and disturbing practice for society.

To lighten this vision of things, let’s recall that skateboarding is a respectful universe open to every individual. In this lifestyle, we quickly learn that we are all the same, whether it is the color of skin, religion, morphology…. Anyone is welcome, as long as they respect these same principles.

Skateboarding is an art that has greatly evolved in recent years. With new tricks and always this will to surpass oneself, especially under the eye of the camera.

Beyond a personal enrichment, skateboarding is claiming freedom and vector of sharing. It evolves and cohabits with the street in the greatest respect of all.

The article The best skateboarding movies appeared first on La Skateosphere.

In this article, we’ll leave a little aside our skateboard. For those who still have doubts, no, skateboarding is not only tricks, broken legs, Tony Hawk or competition. It’s also about meeting new people, discovering your city and opening your eyes to the world around you. For the lucky ones, it is also travelling to new countries, new continents… and of course, meeting new cultures.

Local gastronomy

What better way to start this introspection than to present the Art of the Table of the Country.

Feeling a little peckish?

Paella? Tapas? Pinchos ? Patatas Bavas ? Jamón ? Churros ? Turrón ? Crema catalana? A set of light meals to keep your body in shape…

Most of us may have already had the opportunity to try the paella or tapas. In areas such as “Las Ramblas“, prices may be a little higher on average. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t stop there, just that you will mainly pay for the location and place, rather than for the quality of the food. A good paella turns on average around 20 €uros per person. An example of a reputable restaurant: the Dentelière

Dare the churros con chocolate! So famous that the business place has its own name, the “churrería”. An address that comes up often, the churrería J. Argiles.

I would now like to talk to you a little more about pinchos, because this is a type of restaurant that we do not know in France.

“Carrer de Blai, the Pinchos Street! But what are Pinchos? A small slice of bread on which a portion of food is placed, usually fixed with a toothpick (pincho in Spanish). It’s almost obligatory for my family and friends who always ask for their dose. Very good atmosphere, but the restaurants are quickly taken over. Be patient to get a table or try to be there early, around 7pm. Two of my favorites: Tasqueta de Blai for the wide choice and the atmosphere. And Blai 9 for the slightly more elaborate pinchos.

Don’t worry, there are also other specialties that are a little lighter for our stomachs. The pan con tomate (tomato crushed on a loaf of bread, with a little oil and salt). The escalivada, a starter made with peppers, onions and aubergines. And, if you are in Barcelona around the end of January, then you will have the opportunity to taste the Calçotada. One of the most traditional food in Catalonia (calçot is a vegetable between leek and onion).

And for meat eaters, the Botifarra, a Catalan sausage with white beans. The Fouet, a small dry and fine sausage, perfect for aperitifs. And the Bellota ham, or the Pata negra, the elite of hams.

Thirsty?

Missed again for the diet… how to resist a good cold beer, Mortiz or Estrella to stay local. Do you prefer wine? Then we order a Jarra de Sangría por favor!

As for the bars, there are too many of them not to stop for a moment… especially during hot season. Of course, here again the prices will depend a bit on the area. The half-pint of beer can vary between approximately 1,70€ and 4€. Treat yourself and have a copa de vino at one of the many rooftops in the city such as the Skybar Barcelona.

You are a big group and looking for large tables? My advice for a young, rustic and unusual bar: the ovella negra. In the Universitat area you will find many student bars, including Espit Chupitos with more than 600 different shots.

Discover the Nevermind bar, right next to the Macba, a must-see spot for skaters and rock n roll fans.

For fans of Spanish poetry/theatre, a nice bar: Tinta Roja in the Poble sec district.

Café Ethiopia, a super quiet bar in African style, hidden at the end of a small alley in the Born district.

The main districts

In Barcelona, each district has its own identity. It is difficult to mention each of them in the same article, but I will try to guide you to the fundamentals.

The Gothic

First of all, let’s start with the unmissable Gothic Quarter. And how can we approach the subject without mentioning its magnificent cathedral of Santa Creu/Santa Eulalia. When you visit the cloister, you will then discover the legend of the 13 geese it shelters. Just behind the cathedral, I recommend you to make a stop at the museum of the history of Barcelona. Once out of the museum, you will have a much better view of the development of “Barcino” over the centuries.

Afterwards, walk through the narrow streets to the Plaça San Jaume, where Barcelona City Council and the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya (Palace of the Generalitat de Catalunya) are located. On the way, look up to the sky to see the different buildings and especially the ornaments of the Bisbe Bridge. Finally, before reaching the ramblas, a stop on the magnificent Plaça Reial is a must.

The Raval

If you follow this route, you are now on las Ramblas, the passage that connects Plaça Catalunya with the port and the statue of Christopher Columbus. Once you have crossed the rambla, welcome to the Raval. It is a very cosmopolitan district, where almost 50% of its inhabitants are of foreign origin. On the edge of the ramblas is the famous Boquería market, the oldest covered market in Barcelona, where you will be conquered by all the Catalan gastronomy. Just next door, the splendid Güell Palace designed by Gaudi.

Finally, walking up the narrow streets, you will come across the Plaça dels Angels: the MACBA. This square is certainly the most famous skateboarding spot in the world. On this square, hundreds of skaters gather to share a session in front of the city’s museum of contemporary art. For cat lovers, go and take a picture next to the statue of the cat “El gato de Botero”. Also have fun counting the number of cats you can see in the “El jardinets dels gats” shelter.

The Born

Cross via Laietana on the right side of the Gothic Quarter and enter the Born. There you will find the splendid palace of Catalan music. The Saint Catherine’s market with its multicoloured ceramic roof, the centre of culture and memory, the church of Saint Mary of the Sea or the chocolate museum for the most gourmet. If you’ve crossed the Born, you’ll come across the Ciutadella Park. Built on the grounds of a former military fortress, this is the largest park in the city centre. Where people of Barcelona can enjoy long sunny afternoons lying on the grass. Be careful, the park is still home to a Mammoth… be careful. To the north of the park, an exit leads to the Lluís Companys passage and the Arc de Triomphe. To the south, but still inside the park, is the Barcelona Zoo.

The Eixample

This is the most modern part of the city centre. Here you will find the Plaça Catalunya, the Rambla Catalunya, the Passage de Gracia (showcase of the Barcelona bourgeoisie in the 19th century). But also two of the Gaudi’s houses, Casa Milá and Casa Battlo. Or the Barcelona bullring “plaza de toros Monumental“. Finally, how can we talk about Barcelona without thinking in the basilica of the Sagrada Familia. Although his work is still not finished, it is still as beautiful as ever. We hope to see the end of the work around the year 2026.

Gràcia

We continue our visit a little further north and here we are in Gràcia. The bohemian district of Barcelona. Full of life, but at the same time very quiet, we almost have the impression to have left Barcelona. There are many squares like the Plaça de la Revolució, the Plaça del Sol, the Plaça de la Virreina, or the Plaça de la vila de Gracia with its huge four-sided clock. Also discover the first house of the architect Gaudi: Casa Vicens.

Montjuïc

Let’s jump to the South of Barcelona. In fact, to Montjuïc, Barcelona’s guardian mountain. In the past, there used to be a watchtower at the top of this mountain, which was used to inform people of the arrival of boats in the city. Then, in the 17th century, a military fortress was built to protect the city from attacks. This is the castle that you may have already seen in the background of the city. To get there, you can take a funicular, a cable car, a taxi, but also the bus line 150. For the more sporty, put on your sneakers and admire the view. Montjuïc Castle offers a panoramic view, where you can observe the logistics platform or the sweep of the planes landing at Barcelona airport.

On the hill you will also find the Sant Jordi Palace and the Olympic Stadium (Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympic Games). In the enclosure, you can also get closer to the huge white telecommunications antenna, the “Calatrava Tower“.

Poble-sec

At the foot of Montjuïc is the Poble Sec district, where there are many bars and restaurants. If you walk up the entire avenue Parralel, you will reach the huge roundabout that is the Plaza de España.

For an overall view, you can go to the top of the Arenas, which is actually an old arena converted into a shopping centre (because if you didn’t know that, Barcelona is against bullfighting). Tip: you have to pay for access from outside with the elevator, but you can go up for free from inside with the escalators. Once at the top, you will see many monuments with a 360 degree panoramic view. In front of you, you will see the Venetian towers, the magic fountain, and the magnificent National Art Museum of Catalonia, which for me is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. If you plan to visit the museum properly, allow several hours. Indeed, there are many works of art inside…

If you stay in Barcelona for a while, I’m sure you’ll want to discover other areas. For football fans, Les Corts district where the Camp Nou is located. Pedralbes with its beautiful monastery, a very relaxing place. Sarriá-Sant Gervasi, one of the most luxurious areas of the city. The Carmel and its steep slopes… La Barceloneta with the Hotel Vela and its overflowing beach in summer, or Vila olimpica and its Olympic port.

Tourisme and outings

How to discover Barcelona without missing out on its main tourist activities? Well, to start I share a good plan with you, many museums are free on Sundays from 3pm. You will find this list here.

The classics

I imagine that you will have already booked your tickets to visit the Sagrada Familia, and that you will certainly have planned a trip to Güell Park. Two of the most visited places in Barcelona. About the Güell Park, the part of the mosaic benches, the lizard and the hypostyle room are now paying. So if you want to relive the scene from the “L’auberge espagnole” movie, don’t forget to reserve your entrance. And if you still don’t have your tickets for the Sagrada Familia, it’s here.

If you have time, the Sant Pau Hospital is really worth a look. It’s a new kind of XXth century architectural ensemble. You’ll learn a lot about life in the old days. The visit is interesting and lasts approximately 1h30.

Gaudi’s houses, Casa Batlló and Casa Milá, a most peculiar architecture, as spectacular outside as inside. To save time you can also book online. Moreover, the price is usually cheaper with this type of booking. In the same style, I also recommend the Palacio Güell, which is a little more accessible in terms of budget.

Las ramblas, the place to discover mimes and street artists far too talented. After spending several minutes contemplating the artists, you can resume your walk, with a short stop at the Liceu theatre. Without forgetting the boquería market to buy a turrón vicens (nougat), or good fresh fruit. At the end of the Ramblas, you reach the statue of Christopher Columbus, the port, and a shopping centre the Maremagnum.

If you want to take some altitude, then go to Tibidabo. Also known as the magic mountain, it is located in the Collserola nature reserve. As well as being on the highest hill in Barcelona and giving you this incredible view of the whole city, there is also an amusement park for the youngest ones at the foot of its basilica!

Museums:

There are many museums in the city, I won’t go into detail about them all in this article, but here are just a few of many: the Barcelona History Museum, the Picasso Museum, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (Macba), the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Wax Museum, the Chocolate Museum, the Joan Miró Foundation, the Museum of Eroticism, the Maritime Museum, the Natural Science Museum, the Music Museum…

More unusual:

Can you find your way out of Horta’s labyrinth? One of the oldest gardens in Barcelona with a magical atmosphere that will please children and parents alike.

The Bunkers, located on the Turó de la Rovira, were built during the Spanish Civil War between 1936-1939, and used as an anti-aircraft battery to defend the city from bombing. Today it is one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Barcelona. It is quite difficult to park your car, but the bus line 24 should be able to take you there without any problem.

For the adventurous, there are also several underground visits, such as the anti-aircraft shelter in the Plaça del Diamond. Or the tunnel of the water house.

On the other side of Montjuïc, on the more hidden side of the hill, the Montjuïc cemetery. A huge cemetery of more or less 56 hectares, with some graves that are true masterpieces. Many of the most famous families who wrote Barcelona’s history are buried here.

Who doesn’t like cactus? Still on the hill of Montjuïc, take a stroll through the exotic garden of Mossén Costa i Llobera, a true haven of peace.

A few minutes from Barcelona, the Colonia Guëll, a surprising place. It is a workers’ city, with its own factory and a magnificent crypt. You can move freely around the city to discover the different buildings, but to enter the crypt you will need an entrance. Right next to the settlement, at the parking level, you can certainly see a tower. Venture quickly through the fields to discover the Torre Salvana, the devil’s castle!

About 50km from Barcelona, a majestic natural feature, the mountain of Montserrat and its monastery. Where you will be able to hike on many paths of different levels. There are also refuges on site for big expeditions. Keep your eyes open, you may come across the gaze of some of the four-legged inhabitants of the mountain.

Partying

If you’re here more to party and sunbathe on the beach, then you probably already know the Razzmatazz, the Apollo, the Pasha, the Opium or the OttoZutz…

And if you don’t have a precise program for your nights, all you have to do is walk a few minutes in the centre to be approached by party promoters and be offered the right plan for the day.

For the difficult tomorrows, instead of going to sip another piña colada on the Barceloneta, try to get away from the centre for example towards Badalona. You’ll find quieter and less crowded beaches.

Try to always keep an eye on your things when you go swimming…

Moving in Barcelone

As in all large cities, using your car to get around can be quite tricky. It is difficult to find a place in the street and private car parks are relatively expensive.

I can reassure you right away, the city’s public transport network is excellent! With 1 Zone 1 subway ticket, you will easily cross the whole city. Tickets can also be used in buses and trains! If you take a Zone 1, you will have the possibility to take the train to Badalona (North) or Castelldefels (South). The ticket can be used for connections during 1h15.

If you stay several days, take directly a 10 journeys card (available in machine in the metro stations). Attention, these tickets were previously non-nominative, but are since 2020 usable by only one person at a time. In itself, except for the airport metro which has a single rate of 4€50, you will easily cross the city for more or less 1€10.

For skaters, don’t hesitate to use the Barcelona spots map to quickly find the most mythical spots : Macba, Paralel… and use these few minutes more for your session!

Where to stay

Given the size of a city like Barcelona, the number of hotels per square kilometre is important. To book in advance I usually use Booking, and have never had any bad surprises until now. The prices are generally very competitive.

If you are alone, one of the cheaper options is the youth hostel. Again it depends on the season but you can find a place around 20€ per night. Discover Barcelona’s youth hostels.

Do you like skateboarding? Then I have something for you, a hostel with a mini ramp inside : Sant Jordi Hostel

If you are travelling in a group, then the most economical and comfortable option is Airbnb! You will have more freedom, the possibility to cook… Generally speaking, more privacy for you and your friends/family.

With this type of accommodation, I recommend that you book in advance as the apartments are quickly filled during the summer season.

If you come by car, and being located in the city centre is not your priority, why not find accommodation further up the coast? For example Badalona to stay very close, but be a little more quiet and find areas where you can park for free. Or Mataró, a little further away. In any case, you will always have the possibility to come back to Barcelona.

I hope I have provided you with enough information and made you want to discover Barcelona. I invite you to browse other blogs and archives of the city. Although my goal is to share my experience with you, we don’t all have the same desires and you may be looking for a different adventure.

For the curious ones, I leave you a link to a book that I use with my family to know new places that even the Barcelonians don’t know about:

I wish you all an excellent stay! Take advantage of every moment, every encounter and go home with your head full of memories.

The article Discovering Barcelona appeared first on La Skateosphere.