The Volcom Europe skate team got a new assault vehicle and we had to get it tested; to see if it was actually "tour-safe".
Our fearless team manager drove it all the way down from the Volcom skate team house in Bilbao, to Santa Pola, Alicante while testing the airflow and windspeed factors of our newest vehicle.
Passengers on this wild test flight were Willow, Peter Molec, Charles Collet, Chris Pfanner and our host and guide at the testing area, Roberto Aleman, aka “the bullfighter.”
Roberto's parents have a small apartment at the seaside which we were allowed to stay in for 10 days. We had some bad luck with the weather, but tried to make the best out of it… and it was always sunny on the inside of the van, with the iPod attached to the radio. (which was also rigorously tested to its threshold of musical limitations)
Roberto and Peter got hurt pretty early on the trip. Roberto hit his rib (I think he was maybe ‘testing’ his rib, hehehe) on a gnarly f/s tailslide and Peter took a bad slam after hanging up on a nollie front board on a knobbed rail. This awarded his rail test results with a broken wrist. Unfortunately both were ‘out’ for the rest of the tour. As you can see from the photos, they got some goods before falling to the injured reserve list.
At least Chris Pfanner got some good news, when he got a phone call that relieved him from having to go serve in the army in Austria!!! He felt like a free man and hammered himself trough the tour until he had to leave to Barcelona again to finish his part for 411.
When we were all are about ready to go home, the bad spirits left the Costa Blanca and made some space for the sun. Sometimes the bad sprits have to go home, too.
Scroll you're way down to see some great photos from the trip!!!
Willow and Peter stoked about the new van
Roberto was driving..
...while Willow had some fun in the back seat.
Charles checking out the view from the balcony.
The view.
Finally skate time. One Roberto, three boards.
Charles back smith.
Team manager Hans Claessens ripping him self….
…before he continued filming.
Lunchtime at Moes.
Roberto found some time to spend with his new bench buddy!
Charles front board
Peter got the biggest cast. Front board
Charles uber slide.
Roberto's bullring.
Photos and text: Jelle Keppens
