Barcelona trip

Just got back from Barcelona. That place really is the skate capital of the world. Even if the spots (although amazing) are blown out from everyone doing every trick you can think of there, the atmosphere and tolerance is amazing.

We visited 4 of the main skate spots and caught up with some pros along the way.

MACBA has an amazing atmosphere, every evening it's filled with about 50 skaters. The standard of skating is extremey high, these guys have great weather and great spots.


Classic spot Sants has been in so many videos, the benches have had so many grinds they are rounded on the edge.


The Universitat blocks are the best, be warned - they are higher than they look...


MACBA keyhole gap - this is scary. If you're brave you can grind through the space and off the end. Beast.


Fondo is a huge space with lots of 5 sets, benches and banks. The hips are excellent, steeper than they look though.


Element shop. You don't get these in England.



A local at MACBA warms up.


Blueprint hero Tuukka Korhonen back lips the block.


Dave meets Tuukka.


Dave meets DC pro Jody Smith - part of the DC King of Barcelona competition entourage, go to http://www.dckingof.com to see the action of the competition that went down.


Others have been...


Becca at MACBA big 4... and believe they are big. Check out Emerica 'This Is Skateboarding' to see these being hammered by Andrew Reynolds.



The DC Shoe team session the keyhole gap at MACBA for footage.


Greg Myers switch bs flip, it makes you think...



Brian Wenning was filming lines...


And Josh Kalis watched the action.

The public accept skateboarding in Barcelona, people stop to watch your tricks. ground is always smooth, the spots are amazing. You're bound to see some big tricks. Just go there.

Lookout for the footage from this trip on the next Hooked video.

Independent demo at the Blue Dog Mini Ramp

Some amazing skating happened



Ben Cundall from Death Skateboards



Danny was excited



People


Dave, Moggins & Harry


Our Hooked t-shirt signed by all the pros including Ben Grove, Franklin Stephens, Craig Smedly, Ian Rees, Danny & Ronny Calow + LOADS MORE

The Independent Trucks demo was awesome. Loads of sick skating went down along with a bit of partying. Among the skaters that shredded the ramp & hung out were Danny & Ronny Calow, Paul Silvester, Ben Grove, Moggins, Ben Cundall, Rob Smith, Craig Smedley, Div Adams, Nick Zorlac + all the usual suspects at the ramp.

Some of the standout tricks were Craig Smedley's frontside flip disaster transfer, Harry's kickflip 5-0 + a lot of blunt fakies and frontside smiths.

The skating was cut short slightly at 11:30 when it rained everyone inside. If you missed it, make sure you look out for the next event on myspace bulletins or the Hooked website.

Can't wait for the next one.

Burton skatepark

We finally made a trip to check out Burton after all the rave reviews. We tried to get there early to beat the locals and get a bit of quiet time before it got packed, but even at half 8 in the morning people were there. The park has an interesting layout, so if you want to push yourself and skate things you don't usually get chance to - come here.

It's very different to the street course orientated Stoke Plaza, with lots of cool transitions, hips and blocks on top of banks. Check this month's Sidewalk to see the park in action with our own local heroes Daz, Harry, Bambi & Rees sessioning it.

Go and check it.

Slammin it

We love the old petrol station spot, those blocks are crisp. Nice one whoever keeps waxing them. If you have any interesting shots or footage, email it in - we'll stick it on the site.

Now get building those kickers.

Put something back...

Come and work with us. We need people to be part of Hooked and push the scene forward. We're looking for skaters who can be at events, help people learn tricks, write / film / perform trick tips and organize jams etc. If you skate and you're interested, get in touch - email juffs@hookedextreme.com

Nice

Three's not such a crowd

A great shot from a couple of weeks back, Tom came from Chesterfield to skate the mini dog, & Vic had an idea. Slams from this get complicated. We're looking forward to the ramp being resurfaced for the Independent demo on the 31st...

Style counts

A sess at the train blocks, where Raddad showed off his new Adio's.

Skate session at the blue rails

We went down to the blue rails - good session... it's getting dark early these days.