The skateparks are mushrooming in Saint-Denis.  The commune has two small skateparks nearby Saint-Denis, and since 2003, there is a large skatepark in the area of Champ-Fleuri. This more and more fashionable sport is brought under the spotlight.        

Originally known as “sidewalk surfing”, the skateboarding has been devised in 1961 by the Californians surfers who could not stand days without waves.
This sport has well evolved over the years.  

In Champ-Fleuri, the skateboarding amateurs are more likely to come to “Ollie.”  Besides, according to Christian Albani, the pro-mayor and sport representative, the site is still under development: “We remain in touch with the skaters and, are therefore required to regularly develop and renovate, indeed, extend the site.  For example, we consider of placing a bowl, a type of basin, to skate but also to rollerblade.”          

The flourishing days of the skatepark

The setting up of the skateparks contributes in bringing the enthusiasts together and also helps one to forget about the spirit of this discipline which implies that one can skate on any street furniture (this often go against the authorities because of the wax, a type of wax to slide better, but which blackens the furniture.)      

Christian Albani also states: “One must not forget that skateboarding can be dangerous if one does not know how to skate properly.  As such, we’ll soon hire someone who’ll be in charge of the site to surround and inform the skaters.”    

The skatepark in Saint-Denis still has flourishing days ahead of him: also bear in mind that the skateboarding festival has been held four years in a row there.

Laura Bassetti
January 2008