The project

The streets, the birthplace of skateboarding

Skateboarding, born in the streets, is a practice that continues to evolve and that can be freely interpreted. Midway between culture, sport, mode of transport and socialization tool, skateboarding today touches on many subjects, such as freedom, curiosity, openness to the world, urban planning, health, parity and mobility to name a few…

What is certain is that skateboarding constantly reinvents the use of urban space which, through this practice, becomes an infinite playground. Skateparks, which are reproductions of elements found in the street, and which have developed enormously, are complementary to street practice, but cannot replace it. Street skateboarding remains the essence. This is how the imagery of skateboarding has been built for decades, through video, photo work, documentation of all kinds and artistic projects.

Skaturbanism, an innovative approach

Skaturbanism, born from the collaboration between skaters and municipalities, aims to integrate skateboarding into the urban environment, in a spirit of sharing.

Cities such as Bordeaux, Malmo and Copenhagen have adopted innovative programs, seeing skateboarding as a cultural, social, economic and environmental lever.

This movement is part of circular urbanism, promoting the pooling of existing spaces. By promoting urban games, soft mobility and strengthening social cohesion, skaturbanism contributes to the transition towards sustainable and inclusive cities.

The example of the city of Bordeaux

For a long time, the city of Bordeaux was repressive in this area. The city and its local stakeholders have undertaken a series of bold initiatives aimed at promoting the practice of skateboarding in its urban environment.

These efforts are demonstrated through a mediation approach, the promotion of the practice of skateboarding as a culture, and the development of skaturbanism. This approach aims to integrate skateboarding into certain public spaces, with light and shared developments, such as street furniture or works calibrated for the practice, and the requalification of certain spaces.

Officially, skateparks are no longer the only places of practice, but complementary places to skateboarding in the City. In addition, Bordeaux stands out by being the only city in France to have a Municipal Skate Guide, guaranteeing a welcoming environment for skaters, while respecting local residents and users.

This inclusive approach is supported by a diverse community of local actors, such as professionals, artists, designers, photographers, videographers, local brands and skateshops, who contribute to the enrichment of the city’s skate culture and the development of its many artistic and socio-cultural ramifications. Many academic works are now studying this phenomenon.

Together, these initiatives create a connected and ultra-productive ecosystem that celebrates skateboarding as an essential element of urban life in Bordeaux.

Léo Valls

Born in 1986 in Bordeaux, Léo Valls became passionate about the relationship between skateboarding and urban life from a very young age. Skateboarding pushed him to travel and explore the world and allowed him to carry out projects with many communities of skaters internationally.

He became professional for brands such as DC and Magenta and invested in a practice that was more artistic than performance-oriented. As a video content producer, his media popularity extends from Japan to the United States. As a cultural activist, he is involved in notable exhibitions such as Landskating Anywhere (Arc en Rêve), Play!, Hybrides, Bon Voyage, Contact…

He has become a spokesperson for the skate community and develops the Skaturbanism approach in Bordeaux and abroad by advising elected officials, technical services, architects, urban planners and artists… He is committed to developing skateboarding as a sociocultural tool and integrating it into the urban development of cities. His motivation is the driving force behind the Connect festival.

City Skate Collective

An association whose goal is to democratize and promote Bordeaux skate culture and its relationship to the urban.

The CITY SKATE COLLECTIVE association is chaired by Julien Januszkiewicz, 44, a chemical engineer by profession and director of skate films. Julien notably directed the Bordeaux Exposure videos (three opuses in 2013, 2016 and 2021) which showcase more than 200 local skaters and around 50 foreign skaters in the streets of Bordeaux.

These films unite the skate community and put professionals, amateurs, young and old on the same level. No podium; creativity above all.

L’Agence Côte Ouest

For over 30 years, Côte Ouest has been bringing events to life throughout Nouvelle-Aquitaine and beyond.
Côte Ouest tries, learns and adapts. It is this history that has made it grow.

By taking on new challenges, experimenting, daring more and more, by following the major changes, well beyond its events.

Today, driven by the audacity to go even further for the next 30 years, Côte Ouest believes that strength is collective but above all that it is drawn from each individual. And what a team! Strong personalities with tender hearts, authentic people, in the good sense of the word, ambitious yet reasonable people.