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On the wave of happiness: surfskating in Laax
3.9.2018
Translation: machine translated
Video: Manuel Wenk
Surfing in the mountains. What does it take? A specially developed skateboard and a special tarmac facility. The wave of happiness is ready. Water? Nope! I'm in Laax doing sport with Reto Poltera.
"You've got the surfer gene in you, Patrick," Reto says to me after just a few minutes. I'm flabbergasted. I wouldn't have expected that. I've never surfed before and I've never stood on a skateboard. Today is my first time. To be honest, I've always made a bit of fun of the "Rollbrättlibuebe". But that's over now, I swear to the surfer god. I am a convert.
Surfing or skating? Both!
The Urban Surfwave is one of the summer attractions in the Flims/Laax/Falera region, for children and adults alike. Reto is the initiator of Surfwave, which opened last summer. Today he is teaching me the basics of surf skating. This requires a special board with a movable front axle. These boards were developed in the mid-90s in California by Greg Falk and Neil Carver. There are now also other suppliers, such as the brand Yow. Today, however, I'm travelling with a "Resin" from Carver. Incidentally, you can hire Carver boards on site at the OutdoorBOX.
The old man and the board
Between you and me: I never thought I'd end up on a skateboard at my age. The beginning is a little stiff at the hips. But that's just it: I'm supposed to have the surfer gene in me. What does Reto mean by that? Apparently my sense of balance is pretty good and my mobility still seems to be okay. That would also benefit me on a surfboard. Always bearing in mind that I'm a complete beginner and no longer twenty.
You never stop learning
Am I a regular? Or am I goofy? Mum, Dad, you can relax: Your son is regular. So I have my left leg in front and my right leg behind. Goofy would be the other way round. I'm also learning today that I prefer front-side turns to back-side turns. Just regular. And I also learnt today that the surfer god punishes arrogance immediately. If I don't pay attention for a moment, I'm knocked off the board.
During the interview, I also get to know Reto a little better:
Peace and Safety
World peace thanks to skating? It probably won't come to that. But Reto is right. That day in Laax in mid-August made me really happy and put a big smile on my face. So big, in fact, that I bought my own surf skateboard in the OutdoorBOX. Video producer Manuel Wenk doesn't miss out on the opportunity either and buys himself a board. If that's not an argument in favour of surfskating.
And what about safety? Stay focussed and keep your head down, then nothing will usually happen. Otherwise, there is of course safety equipment. Today, however, it's brutally hot in Laax in the blazing sun. The black tarmac also reflects the heat. That's why I don't wear a helmet or protectors, otherwise I would probably have collapsed after two minutes.
The entire skateboard range at Galaxus
And the next time at "Patrick does sport with ..."
Manuel and I move on to Davos and explore the question of what a winter sportsman actually does in summer. Quite simply, he sweats in the gym. Just like Andres Ambühl from HC Davos. Lifting weights with a professional hockey player - that could be fun. Off to Davos! Are you coming too? Here is my author profile.
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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