REPORT SPY CHALLENGE 2024
Last Saturday, we attended to the first edition of the Spy Challenge in Biarritz. 7 hours by train with two connections of 1 hour in between each connecting were necessary to reach the favorite vacation spot of retirees. A point that was quickly verified when we disembarked at the huge, tiny station. An old man at reception was informing an old couple probably on an ultra-platinum diamond celebration in the middle of a group of around twenty old tourists laughing with their denture out.
Me and Jeff (the photographer) looked at each other and we understood that we had arrived safely. After that, we took the bus to reach our hostel to drop some of our equipment then we went to the beach Côte des Basques near the Vans mini ramp also called the Sam Partaix Ramp -It is pretty normal since he greatly participated in the setting up of the installation and the organization of various events taking place there, such as the “Reality Breakdown” night this coming Saturday May 25th- to meet the Spy team and the guys from the DC Spain team that was invited for the occasion, as well as some local rippers. After the usual handshakes, a few words exchanged and a briefing about the event, we headed to the Biarritz skatepark. Since 2011, the park has evolved to the point of becoming a huge complex that would have nothing to envy of an american skatepark. This is where the serious things will begin.
After about an hour of warming up, the first challenge begins. Perform tricks over a huge Spy glasse. The stunts follow one another with ollie north, flip back, 3-6 impo, flip sex change, nose blunt on the branch or even a flip fs board. The skaters are in full swing and each success is rewarded with some money. After spending around twenty minutes on the spot, all these beautiful little people are moved to the second challenge. This time they will have to jump from a kicker and land with a minimum of precision on a Manny table. At the beginning the spacing between the two modules seems pretty easy then we might as well tell you that passing 5-6 meters the exercise becomes more and more difficult. The participants quickly gave way to George Poole and Liam Lefranc who made the show. The public who surely gets any clue of what is happening, exults. The organizers Léo and Alex exchange proud glances, thinking that this first gathering is doing great for the moment. The challenges follow one another to end in apotheosis with a race accross the park. It first begins with brainless kids in helmets who have no shame in pushing and snaking each other. They really don’t give a fuck. We even saw a kid -wearing brown velvet pants and wearing a Real Madrid jersey- that performing tricks on the park while racing and winning first place. Insolent.
Finally, the race continues with the “pros”. You would think that as adult they would have more consideration but nope. It was worse! They are pushing, some are accused of cheating… it must be said that the stakes are high, there are a few money to get in order to pay for the drinks at the after party. George Poole put a back disaster in the middle of two skaters in a quarter, annihilating their probable ambitions of a general tour. The final race is won by one of the guys from the DC Spain team. Léo and Alex exchange a knowing look, almost loving glance at each other again. Yeah, this Spy Challenge is definitely a success! Now let’s have a drink !
