APB in Barcelona Metropolitan 05/2011
Transcript of APB in Barcelona Metropolitan 05/2011
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14 ROLLERBLADING
If you’ve ever crossed paths with the Barcelona Friday night
group skate, you’ll know that in this city, rollerblading is more
than just a sport. Hundreds of skaters dominate the streets as
they burst through the city togethe r, weaving their way around
the tiny corners of the Gòtic neighbourhood and stopping
traffic as they navigate Eixample’s grid.
The weekly event is the brainchild (and hard work) of APB, or the As-
sociació de Patinadors de Barcelona. Formed in 2003, APB now has over
600 members, and it runs a pretty tight ship when it comes to organising
these, and other, events. Group president, Juan Carlos García, lights up
when he starts telling me about the Friday night skates. “This is really a
great way to explore the city”, he said, explaining that there are seven dif-
ferent routes, which they rotate every week, and that each route takes youthrough different, but equally scenic parts of the city. “The routes are
each about 15 to 18 kilometres, and usually this takes us about one-and-
a-half to two hours to get through,” he explained. “We pass the Sagrada
Família, go through El Gótico, skate along the beach. We go at a fairly
relaxed pace, so everyone socialises and chats along the way.”
Juan Carlos gives me a quick rundown on how the weekly event works,
explaining that in winter it attracts about 150 to 200 skaters, whereas in
summer as many as 300 pitch up. “It’s a very organised activity,” he said,
“in that we have the support of the Ayuntamiento, and that about 25 of
the more advanced members volunteer to help. They act as marshalls,
controlling the traffic, and skating in front of and behind the group in
order to keep everyone together.” He added that as long as you have an
intermediate level (you need to know how to brake, turn and jump pave-
ments), you’ll have no problems taking part in the routes.
A week before meeting Juan Carlos I’d gone on my first skate with a
bunch of friends, so his casual mention of jumping pavements far from
passed me by. Rollerblading is probably the most fun I’ve had on my feetin years, but it’s definitely not as easy as it seems.
Everyone I tried skating with were novices, bar one, who still has his
original Eighties’ roller skates. Despite not having skated in over 20 years,
he still managed to swish around like a reprobate teenager, and thanks to
Every Friday night, rollerbladers take over the streets of Barcelona. By Roberta Coci. Photos by Richard Lee Owens.
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ROLLERBLADING 15
Stayinginline
>>
him, we had a constant shirt to pull on and a landing pad to crash into,
which fast-tracked our progress in that first wobbly hour. I must admit
that feeling out of control of my body was terrifying at first, but once we
got our rather inelegant rhythm going, the sensation of cruising down
Barceloneta walkway, dodging tourists and tackling ramps was nothing
short of exhilarating.
We concentrated on learning to brake that first day, and I was sur-
prised at how much we all learned in just two hours, but we still ended
the session with some spectacular wipeouts.
So if, like me, the idea of jumping pavements terries you, APB also
offers free classes every Tuesday night. Xavi Blanch, who runs the classes,
explained that they cater to all levels, and that everyone is welcome. “Just
come down to el Parc del Clot at ten thirty on a Tuesday evening and we’llassign you to your level,” he said. “As a complete beginner, you’ll probably
need a maximum of 10 hours of skating before joining the routes.”
The Barcelona APB group has no age limits, with the youngest mem-
ber being just a few months old and the oldest being well into his 70s.
Rollerblading is
probably the most
fun I’ve had on my
feet in years...
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16 ROLLERBLADING
>> “Generally our members are sporty people looking for a fun, new activ-
ity,” explained Xavi, “which is why it’s a really social group and a great
way to meet new people.”
But while it sounds all peachy, rollerblading hasn’t always been so
widely accepted—and it still has a long way to go. Historically, it’s had
flack from both ends. In the early Nineties, skaters used to call rollerblad-
ers ‘fruitbooters’ and, considering the sport dorky and less difficult than
skating, they refused to allow them in their skate parks. At the same time,
general society grouped them with skateboarders, seeing them as trouble-
makers who made life difficult for pedestrians and drivers alike.
While the sport is generally more accepted today, rollerbladers still
have their battles to fight. In Barcelona, the sport is not illegal, but nei-
ther is it legal, explained Juan Carlos. “Sure, you can skate. But you’re
only allowed to go the same speed as pedestrians, which is at about six
kilometres per hour, and you have to keep at least a one-and-a-half metre
distance from pedestrians.” No mean feat, trying to make your way down
Portal del Angel, added Xavi.
That said, things have changed a great deal in the last few decades.
Paris is a great example of how city officials can help make a sport ac-
ceptable. The Friday night group skate in Paris (called Pari Roller) is
considered the largest repeating group skate in the world, with thousands
of participants on occasion; the annual Paris-Versailles charity skate is
alleged to have attracted up to 50,000 people. But this is only possible
because the city encourages the sport. Police officers act as marshalls, ac-
companying the weekly group on rollerblades, and subsequently helping
to boost the sport’s public image.
The group skate is popular in other cities as well, with the Sunday
Skate Night in Berlin attracting over 10,000 skaters during the summer
months, and cities as far apart as Copenhagen and Buenos Aires, London
and Tokyo, New York and Amsterdam, all hosting popular events.
Back in Barcelona, if you’re planning on trying something new this
year, spring’s the perfect time to pull out your skates. Classes and routes
with the APB are free, and there is a token annual fee of €30 if you plan
on becoming a member (the added bonus is that this buys you insurance,
just in case you don’t get the hang of that brake too quickly).
“Whether you come to classes or not,” said Xavi, “the best piece of
advice I can give you is to learn to rollerblade in a group. While it’s great
exercise, rollerblading is, above all, a social activity, so take advantage of
the fact that you can meet new people or spend time with your friends
while doing something healthy.”
Ariane Hildebrandt (Germany): I started
inline skating a few years ago when I was
shooting a documentary in LA. A Swiss cam-
eraman gave me an instant ‘crash course’ in
learning how to brake, and I haven’t stopped
since. Whenever I travel, my skates come with
me—it’s the best way to explore a new city.
Miquel Juncosa (Barcelona): Skating is
a great way to spend the afternoon laughing
with friends. I don’t really do it as a sport, for
me it’s more a social event, kind of like going
to the movies or out for dinner.
Eleanett Perez (Cuba): I love the feeling of
freedom you get while skating. When I can I
join the group skates on Fridays—it’s a great
way to socialise while exploring Barcelona.
Eva del Hoyo (Madrid): I’ve been skating
since I was a kid, when I was given a pair of
those skates you can attach to your shoes. I
love the feeling of speeding down a street lis-
tening to music, or going skating with a group
of friends.
Carl Ringquist (Sweden/Uganda): I
started skating when I lived in Paris, as it was
a great way to get to know the city and train
at the same time. Here in Barcelona nothing
beats skating along Barceloneta all the way to
the Fòrum.
Luciana Abranches Sucupira (Brazil):
I love the feeling of wind in my face, and
being able to act like I’m a kid again. For me,
skating’s a way of putting aside the seriousness
we’re told we have to live by.
GETTING STARTED
For classes, contact APB: www.patinarbcn.org
To buy or rent skates:
www.patinalia.com / www.inercia.com
WORD ON THE STREET Barcelona skaters explain what keeps them rolling…