Phrases: Charo-Tite
Images: Kingsford (except in any other case said)
I’ve by no means seen such a deep blue
The thought of this journey was to skate these transition-like rocks on the coast of Gozo, the island subsequent to Malta. So far as I do know, rain and wind formed the rocks over time. Phil despatched me a clip of Jim’s good friend Moggins skating among the spots again in 2017, to provide us an concept of what awaited us. He advised bringing massive wheels and even some comfortable wheels to verify we may skate the crusty-looking spots. I used to be hyped from the get-go, not as a result of I like occurring journeys or as a result of I had by no means been to Malta, however as a result of I believed it could possibly be a enjoyable new experiment skating pure transition spots.
In late November 2023, proper on my birthday, I took a aircraft to Malta to fulfill the remainder of the staff and the fellows from Gray. In comparison with wet Berlin, the climate there felt like summer time: the gentle salty breeze, the nice and cozy gentle and the muted color palette of the panorama that consisted solely of the colors brown, inexperienced and beige. To be sincere, the views we skilled the next 10 days have been fairly desolate. We teamed up and drove throughout the island of Malta to the ferry that took us to Gozo, the place we might spend most of our time skating rocks by the water.
Jim had already collected a ton of spots by way of Google Earth and different analysis. He then spent just a few days biking up and down the coast to verify in the event that they have been legitimate. It was so overwhelming when he confirmed us all of the spots he discovered. Each spot sort of seemed the identical, however then completely totally different on the similar time. I keep in mind arriving on the first spot. We left the van in an empty automobile park (it was low season) and walked in the direction of the water for about quarter-hour, loaded with brooms and never understanding what to anticipate… not an excessive amount of, to be sincere. The spots seemed fairly sandy and dusty in images, however as soon as we arrived, we realised the feel of the rocks was fairly stable, sort of easy to roll on even. The view was immaculate by the best way, all these beige rocks and the deep blue water crashing into the large cliffs we stood on. I’ve by no means seen such a deep blue my entire life.
The primary spot was a small quarter with a giant lip. Regardless that the run-up was barely uphill and had two puddles in the best way, it was straightforward to get to the highest. We couldn’t slide or grind as a result of we weren’t speculated to wax something out of respect to nature. Jaakko and me began to mess around and get snug with the kind of spot we might be skating for the following six days. It was good to be with him. I really feel like we have now an identical sense on the subject of taking a look at spots from a distinct perspective and making an attempt new issues. It truly felt identical to a rock model of a DIY transition. Every part got here sort of straightforward, and looking back, this was in all probability the hardest spot we skated the entire time we have been on the island.
Every day, we might take the van as shut as potential to the spot after which stroll the remaining. Often it was a really chill process: we’d pack our boards, water, snacks and brooms and make our means in the direction of the water. We’d arrive, lose our shit over how good these spots have been, then begin sweeping and checking what was potential. I don’t actually know if the spots bought smoother day-to-day, or if we simply bought used to them rapidly, however we truly bought a variety of tips accomplished every day. I’m fairly positive there was no day the place we left with out a clip or photograph. That’s to not say every part got here straightforward – by no means – however a minimum of for me, it was such a singular expertise, that I simply didn’t wish to surrender making an attempt. I didn’t actually care in regards to the outcomes or something; I simply loved skating every spot within the second and needed to profit from a chance that was unlikely to come back once more any time quickly.
Not often was there only one spot at a location we visited. It was like a portray, the place you begin to see an increasing number of particulars the longer you take a look at it. You may wish to hit this spot proper right here, however find yourself skating the one 20m over there for 2 hours. We went to this spot that was like a downhill skatepark. You had this lengthy roll-in to a steep quarter, then it went additional downhill to a bump that despatched you fairly good. After that, it took you to a steeper financial institution subsequent to a good transition. We spent a lot time skating this place. After a break, I couldn’t cease taking a look at this enormous quarter on the other aspect. As night closed in, I slowly swept the run-up and touchdown, and bought fortunate touchdown that frontside air.
This was by far the calmest journey I’ve ever been on. It virtually felt like a seashore vacation, to be sincere. We have been a small crew, which labored completely on this setting. It was by no means packed on the spot and no person needed to wait lengthy for his or her second. There have been no busts, no soiled or sketchy locations and little or no site visitors, simply the occasional passing canine walker, vacationer or folks serenely fishing close by. Few of them appeared conscious of the wonderful potential of those rocks.
