The street is theirs: Eva, Hortense, Marine and others, meeting the new generation of skaters;

They hop on their board and begin a display of their prettiest tricks – the mandatory figures of skateboarding. In the square in front of rue Pierre-Baudis, Toulouse, curious passers-by take their time to admire the display at this ephemeral and unique skatepark. Four “skating” art modules made of wood and concrete were installed here at the beginning of the year under the promotion of the Skate 31 Consortium, a group of associations that promote public policy actions related to this sport, an Olympic discipline. from 2020.

Marine Bouche is an active member of CS31. He has been traveling in this field for about fifteen years, first taking photos, and then participating in the construction of concrete skateparks. “I proposed to the Antagq association, which promotes and promotes the practice of women, to take the place girls session as well as for an event with prizes. In these two niches, women were the only ones who appropriated this space and enjoyed it. It was a success, with over thirty skaters in attendance and lots of positive feedback from local residents. For many of them, it was their first time. Hopefully this is the start of something.”

Occupying public space

This 30-year-old satellite imagery engineer has given a lot of thought to issues related to skateboarding and urban planning. He also wants to work on his integration into the city. “Training in public spaces has always been a typical approach to skateboarding, almost a ritual. This is where the character of this sport is developed.” But this has not always been enough for women to find their place in a world long dominated by men. “Nevertheless, we see more and more female collectives emerging that, after conquering the skateparks, take over the public space,” says the Toulouse woman.

This is the case of the Realaxe association, which was created ten years ago to promote women’s skateboarding. Based in Paris, she organizes weekly classes for women. Which? girls sessions are also scheduled every Thursday evening in Paris districts such as Bastille, Avron and République. “At first we just wanted to rider between girls, being together, meeting each other. And then, over time, we offered sessions in public spaces. It’s a way for us to take our place. It’s obvious,” says co-founder Sophie Bertolet.

“We’ve noticed that there’s been a craze around this sport for a few years now, and we feel it here. Every year more and more women join us. This year we are almost 180 people. Her colleague Randja, who like Sophie teaches lessons every week, believes that skateboarding has always been a game of taking up space. “Instead of being stuck in the subway, driving on the street is a real pleasure. There’s a fun side, but also a mobility aid.”

street belongs to us

Areas dedicated to skateboarding are developing throughout the area. Many studies including the article The Guardian: Entitled “How Skateboarders Make Cities Safer” in 2017, he showed that his practice not only brings more safety to an area, but also creates social connections and helps to energize and make abandoned spaces attractive. Bordeaux is one of the municipalities that have developed their skate culture in recent years. With more than 35,000 practitioners throughout the metropolis, it is today recognized as a leading city, while in the past it practiced repressive policies.

“That changed in 2016. We decided to organize mediation actions, an exhibition. We also wanted to show the municipality that skateboarding can have a positive cultural and social dimension. It allows us to develop a policy of integration into urban development,” explains professional skateboarder Leo Valls, who advises the municipality of Bordeaux. Thus, a master plan was developed to map the city and present strategic development proposals with an overall vision for the area.

For example, several granite benches were installed which riders can use in their figures. “For several years now, I’ve been seeing more and more women using skateboards to navigate public spaces. It’s easier for them to establish themselves on the street, they’re freer than at the skatepark, and that’s a very satisfying thing,” he adds. Lena Germanese collaborates with Léo. At 28, this skateboarder and urban planner designs modules for communities in public spaces. “I started skating after my arrest and it quickly became a passion. As an urban planner, a new world opened up for me. I was thinking about how we can organize a public space for practice. As skateboarders, we’re constantly redefining everyday objects, steps, plantings, and instantly the city becomes a much more fun space.”

He has embarked on several projects, including two participatory projects that enabled the creation of a skatepark in the Darwin ecosystem and the installation of modules in the city. She also organizes inclusive sessions to offer new skaters safe spaces. “I wanted to give them the opportunity to get rid of all social pressures during one session. The street is often a hostile environment for us, we become victims of aggression or microaggression. We have often been encouraged by our education not to take up too much space, not to make too much noise, to be reserved. So skating on the street is also about discovering yourself, gaining self-confidence and breaking down all mental barriers.”

Ride to break free

If they feel freer and claim their rightful place, for some the simple fact of standing on the board on the street was a revelation. This is the case of Katia Landréas, who published last year Skate therapy, published by Take Off Editions. 42-year-old writer and poet, mother of three children, has been skating since late in life. Like a challenge, when he lost confidence in himself. “One day I saw a video on the Internet and wanted to do the same. That set me straight. As soon as I was able to sit on the board, I felt a feeling I had never experienced, the liberation of standing. Psychologically, we focus on the present moment and forget the rest,” assures the author.

Then everything before him must be revealed again. “Skateboard was my salvation. And I’m not the only one. After my book came out, many people told me their stories. People who have recovered from an illness or live with an invisible disability. Obviously, when you skate, you restore the street, but also your body.” The emergence of social networks has nothing to do with the takeover of public space by skateboarders. Many people film or photograph their exploits to broadcast. Luxury brands are now fighting over skateboarding codes. This is evidenced by the campaigns of Vuitton, Gucci and Lacoste.

This phenomenon allowed Hortense Bude to turn her passion into her profession. The young woman quickly quit her job as a consultant at Publicis to become a model. Today he is the face of brands such as Yow and Cariuma, which specializes in board sports. Originally from Avignon, the young woman is into surfing. This skateboard derivative reproduces the feeling of riding on asphalt thanks to a wider board with a spring-loaded axle. Every week he comes to Black River, Anatole-France.

“I did a lot of dance and gymnastics, but surfing allowed me to experience a deep sense of freedom, fluidity and technique. On my videos, I want it to look simple.” As she reveals her pictures to her 36,000 Instagram followers, the 25-year-old also wants to let everyone know that it’s possible. “It’s important for women to see that this environment is not just masculine or populated by boys. Me, I’m on the street with my skateboard, I’m a little blond, people often ask me questions. I feel freer on my board.”

the meaning of collective

Among the Parisian spots favored by skateboarders, the disabled’s journey is undoubtedly the most iconic. Every two weeks, the girls of the Swirl Paris collective meet there for two hours. That Wednesday, Apollin came early with Eve. The two friends take advantage of the fleeting rays of sunshine to ride and perform a few stunts. Others come, sitting on their hands. Some have just come from work and are seeing the place for the first time. They exchange a few words as the collective’s team leader, Pauline Didier, invites them to warm up.

“We meet twice a month, either here or in Carreau du Temple. The idea is to offer a welcoming space for women to better practice skateboarding. Everyone is welcome, both beginners and experienced, explains the 32-year-old young woman. We want to be visible to show that female skateboarders exist and get others to join us. Once a woman in her 60s stopped to talk to us and said she wanted to do it. It is joyful.”

Launched in 2022, the Parisian collective is another American version created in 2018 so that women can: rider together. “It’s important to see how women take their place on the street, let alone show themselves here, among the disabled, in this symbolic place. That’s why I joined Swirl Paris and I’m glad to be a part of it. It gave me more self-confidence,” Eva says before launching into her point.