Camino by skateboard?

[BPG2017]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

 

[trecile]

Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?

I would strongly advise against it.

Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?

I've never seen a skateboarder on the Camino, but I imagine that many pilgrims would consider it a nuisance.

 

[Pilgrim9]

Further to Trecile's comments, with which I agree, large portions of the Caminho Portuguese route that I walked were either on the side of motor vehicle roads with very narrow shoulders and very fast drivers, or were on the Portuguese equivalent of sidewalks ("pavements" in UK) which were paved with small (~6 cm on a side) cubes of marble or limestone or similar, and these tessellated sidewalks were uneven and humpy. I found them stumbly to walk on, did not enjoy walking on them, and certainly would not enjoy attempting to skateboard on them.

It could be argued that the various foot-pilgrimage routes in Spain and Portugal, such as the CF, the CP(s), and countless others, have over centuries become optimized for travel specifically on foot.

 

[henrythedog]

Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK,

I think you’re overestimating the 20%, but he could stick to the road in some sections. There is a solid white central line which indicates the skateboard lane. In Spain it’s traditional for car drivers to sound their horn and shout a greeting loudly when they see a skateboard approaching, let him know that’s normal.

would you advise strongly against?

No, but I wouldn’t do it personally.

Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?

Generally, no - unless they’re on the pavement. (Sidewalk?): in which case, yes.

Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?

I don’t think skateboards are specifically mentioned in the rules for some strange reason. If he has to lie then he will not be the first - in fact he would not be the first today.

He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Better as I’ve no plans to be on the Portuguese in the near future. There are a lot of cobbles which might not help.

Seriously: tell him to take the ‘board. He’ll be carrying it virtually all the way though.

 

[Kirkie]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

Please, excuse me. I am not sure I have read correctly: will he have to lie to get his compostela. What am I not understanding? To lie? To get a compostela? I think I need to go and lie down...we are talking here about a pilgrimage? Or not? Sorry, I really am confused...

 

[Grousedoctor]

I agree with @henrythedog that he’ll be carrying it virtually all of the way. However, I, too, would encourage him to bring it as he could ride it around towns and villages at the end of each walking day. I’m sure he’ll meet a number of other young Spanish kids in the town squares who might very well be on their own boards. With the skateboard as an ice breaker, he’ll probably meet more locals than you or me. After a long day of walking, it might be quite fun for him to see Spain and meet Spaniards in a different way than we have the opportunity too. And if he’s viewed as a nuisance, oh well, so are the Spanish kids skateboarding.

 

[Tincatinker]

I think you should encourage this intrepid young man. Perhaps, once he has skate-boarded the Camino he would consider canoeing the Darb El Arba'īn (the 40 days road) from Darfur to the Nile, swimming the Great Sand Sea and even seeking out the tail of Ouroboros

If he wants to carry his board and have some fun with the locals when the hiking's done that'll be fun

 

[Kiwi-family]

Why would you stop him if he's old enough to go and do this on his own? Of course, you can tell him what he might encounter (lots of setts and crazy drivers on the Portuguese route, lots of sandy stony trails on the Frances, other kids on boards), but isn't there much to be gained by letting him decide whether it's worth it to him? And if he has to carry it most of the way, that's his problem and not yours. If he's going more than 200km then he would not need to lie about boarding in the last 100 - have you considered telling him about the rule (if he's only going from Sarria) so that he can decide for himself what is more important - riding the board and lying to get a compostela or walking truthfully or not getting a compostela at all? You might be surprised!

 

[mochilaverde]

For many people, including me, part of the point of walking the camino was to talk to other people walking along the way. If you blaze past people on a skateboard (or a bike), you miss opportunities for leisurely conversations. I get around by bike at home, but I would probably not choose to do a camino by bike.

That said, I saw a group who'd done a camino with unicycles, so really the trip is whatever you make of it.

 

[Tincatinker]

So far as I’m aware the pilgrims office do not apply any restrictions on the use of skateboards. For unicycles and unicorns the usual requirements apply. 200km and 100km respectively. It’s possible that skateboarding may fall under the Church’s current views on self flagellation, discouraged, but not actually forbidden

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@BPG2017, I'm another 'go for it' vote.
If your son is already using a board for transport then he knows it's possibilities and its limitations. He's also going to be well aware of how to ride around/near pedestrians without inconveniencing them.
Obviously if he has an all terrain board then it opens up even more possibilities - parts of the meseta for example.

And as to others considering a skateboard a nuisance, possibly - but plenty consider cyclists a nuisance too. And they have every bit as much right to be on the camino as any Walker, or horse for that matter.

He's indicated his willingness to carry it,
worst case he'll carry it much of the time, but get to use it of an afternoon as @Grousedoctor says.

Portugal is renowned for its cobblestones....

 

[TravellingMan22]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

Go for it! Pilgrims find everything and everyone a nuisance sadly, you will never please many of them. so crack on!

 

[C clearly]

You might want to tell him about Ivar's storage service, in case he decides to ship the skateboard ahead for pickup in Santiago.

 

[CWBuff]

What will they think of next? A Hovercraft?
Nimbus 2024? Icarus Wings?
I'm sorry but I believe I'm leaving towards a "no"
I think someone on another totally unrelated thread said something to the fact
Just because one can does not mean that one should

 

[Vacajoe]

It’s possible, but definitely not recommended due to the existence of gravel, uneven terrain, and similar skateboard-stopping elements on any route he may choose (ESPECIALLY the Portuguese where every kilometer of seems to be composed of two kilometers of uneven stones!!!). As for the Compostela, while nothing designates a specific requirement when skateboarding (likely because it’s nearly impossible), following the 2 stamps in the last 200kms rule like a bicycle would certainly avoid the need to potentially lie.

 

[David]

Anyone who thinks negatives re seeing a skateboarder on Camino seriously lacks joy. It would be a really fun thing to see and a good conversation to have with that young man.

Though - skateboards have really small wheels so I think that it would be terribly difficult on just about any section of Camino (Frances as has the best infrastrucure and well paved minor roads - I don't know about the others).

Some years ago I was driving with JennyH in my Berlingo doing first aid and we saw a skateboarder using the road (near Puente la Reina I think). We stopped and chatted. He had built a swivelling tandem skateboard, both boards much larger than normal ones, with his pack strapped on the rear one, and was using a long pole to propel himself when not going downhill - road gondolier! He had had no problems with police or other traffic, using the minor roads, stopping at the same refugios and meeting pilgrims, and was really enjoying himself. (though come to think of it he was going eastwards).

so - plenty of minor roads running parallel to many sections of Camino. After Fromista, for instance, they run alongside each other more or less for some days - so if he is young and fit enough to sling it on his back when walking he could have a great time - and entertain pilgrims in small villages in the evenings doing some stunts.

Tell him from me - do it! and, Buen Camino. - except one major thing - pilgrimage? Compostela? NO lying!!!

 

[roisin431]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

I did the Portuguese route in April, many parts of the route can be quite with few other pilgrims. Especially if he sets out a little later. There’s lots to explore off the beaten track that skateboarding would be great for and yes maybe towards the end as the rout gets busier a skateboard would be a nuisance but im sure he knows when to take it out and when to put it away.

 

[Joynz]

I would definitely encourage him to give it a go. He can always carry it or post it ahead if he wants.

 

[Dion]

What a brave son you have.
The skateboarding appears Olympic Games now a days.
He can find roadway to skateboard and Some people would think it’s a new wave of pilgrimage.Absolutely pioneer!

 

[t2andreo]

Aside from this being, overall, a colossally bad idea for the reasons mentioned in the thread above, and assuming that this young person will do what he pleases, my advice is the MAKE SURE HE HAS insurance cover for when he ends up in hospital with something broken.

If he is going on a long Camino - I urge him to carry a good first aid kit, and have a cellular phone, and KEEP IT CHARGED.

He should know how to call 112 for help, and how to ask for help in English when they authorities answer. I would even go so far as to prepare translated sentences to explain that:" I need help in English please. I am a pilgrim on Camino. I am located at ( x place ). I was using a skateboard (patineta). I fell off the skateboard and injured my ( body part ). I am unable to walk. I need an ambulance to get to medical care."

The Camino routes are intended primarily to be WALKED on your feet. These ancient routes are not intended for use by very small wheeled means of motion - like a skateboard or roller skates / blades. True, vehicles with larger wheels: wheelchairs, unicycles, bicycles have much larger diameter wheels. They are better able to handle the rough terrain, and urban cobblestones found on all Camino routes.

My advice is to not plan on using the skateboard (patineta in Spanish) as his primary means of locomotion. If he wants to lug the deadweight of the board along, to use around other young folks in the evenings, knock yourself out.

In this case, he should also have a plan to mail the board ahead to Casa Ivar to await his eventual arrival on foot.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[stevelm1]

While walking several Caminos I have never seen anyone trying to skateboard it. However I did see a guy one day that was pulling a skate board to carry his pack. He was having the same problems one would have trying to ride it.

 

[Dawsie]

Firstly, I agree "go for it", anything that is different is worth a try.
Personally I don't get on with cyclists on the trail, although I make an effort to engage with them in an Albergue. Meeting people and being tolerant are the most important lessons that my experiences on the Camino have taught me.

I walked Portuguese Coastal route this year from Porto. There are many sections of wooden boardwalk out of Porto which would be possible on a skateboard, many quiet residential road sections, and some wonderful exciting downhill sections into Baiona and Vigo. I also agree that there would be many opportunities to "put on a show" in the evening to engage the locals.
However, there is so little of the path which could be navigated on a skateboard that he should consider the skateboard more like someone who brings their guitar to entertain themselves and fellow pilgrims than as a serious method of transport.

PS: Good luck trying to get the skateboard as cabin baggage !

 

[Jeff Crawley]

So he's prepared, up front, to consider lying in order to get a Compostela?

That's mighty big of him.

Hals und Beinbruch! as they say on all the best pistes.

 

[Kirkie]

So he's prepared, up front, to consider lying in order to get a Compostela?

That's mighty big of him.

Hals und Beinbruch! as they say on all the best pistes.

Guessing here: break a leg?

 

[SabsP]

So he's prepared, up front, to consider lying in order to get a Compostela?

That's mighty big of him.

Hals und Beinbruch! as they say on all the best pistes.

Ah but @Jeff Crawley , seems we have to embrace the concept " it is their Camino " nowadays . Therefore better not to give too much ethical reasons why this is not such a good idea.

 

[dbeatriceb]

Aside from this being, overall, a colossally bad idea for the reasons mentioned in the thread above, and assuming that this young person will do what he pleases, my advice is the MAKE SURE HE HAS insurance cover for when he ends up in hospital with something broken.

If he is going on a long Camino - I urge him to carry a good first aid kit, and have a cellular phone, and KEEP IT CHARGED.

He should know how to call 112 for help, as ask for help in English when they authorities answer. I would even go so far as to prepare translated sentences to explain that:" I need help in English please. I am a pilgrim on Camino. I am located at ( x place ). I was using a skateboard (patineta). I fell off the skateboard and injured my ( body part ). I am unable to walk. I need an ambulance to get to medical care."

The Camino routes are intended primarily to be WALKED on your feet. These ancient routes are not intended for use by very small wheeled means of motion - like a skateboard or roller skates / blades. True, vehicles with larger wheels: wheelchairs, unicycles, bicycles have much larger diameter wheels. They are better able to handle the rough terrain, and urban cobblestones found on all Camino routes.

My advice is to not plan on using the skateboard (patineta in Spanish) as his primary means of locomotion. If he wants to lug the deadweight of the board along, to use around other young folks in the evenings, knock yourself out.

In this case, he should also have a plan to mail the board ahead to Casa Ivar to await his eventual arrival on foot.

Hope this helps.

Tom

I agree with this

 

[Silencio Por Favor]

I would suggest the Ingles from A Coruna, the ferry there is a "roll on, roll off".

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Guessing here: break a leg?

German phrase meaning "good luck" - sometimes used, so my actress daughter tells me, in the British theatre (but in English, of course: "break a leg!") often by the understudy to the star performer!

 

[David]

xx

 

[SabsP]

Apart from the subject of the poster I find this thread stunningly revealing .. those who are positive about life and those who are negative .. pro fun, anti fun ... pro laugh, pro grumble - so very revealing - one could just about make up two tables for an evening pilgrim meal here - and I so know which table I want to be on. xx

Oops sorry you will miss me. Though I am part pro fun and part common sense!

 

[Stephan the Painter]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

There's a bicycle road route to the Camino Frances. You could conceivably use a skateboard on much of this. Sometimes it's right next to the Camino walking route but other times it's a totally different route. I suspect the 20% you're thinking of are roads right next to the Camino and are also the bicycle road route.

A bicyclist qualifies for a Compostela if they do the last 200 kms. I have no idea what they would tell your son.

You can research this online to get an overview. My favorite navigation app, "Mapy.cz", has the bicycle road route on it if you use their "outdoors overlay."

IMO it sounds too dangerous to me, and I wouldn't do it. But If I was to do it I would wear a visibility vest and a helmet!

 

[Marbe2]

Thankfully, for the most part, skateboards would, on the CF not follow the walking paths!

Your Son could get a distance certificate without comprising his integrity by asking for a compostela.

There are some parts of sections on the Portuguese Senda Litorial camino where a skateboard could be used…..but then it would need to be carried on board walks and in very congested areas. I would not recommend doing this during high season when there are lots of beach traffic.

 

[CWBuff]

@David - i understand your punt for "joy" and "this joyful experience". I am however advocating to err on the side of caution. Throuout many threads we caution people how to walk on the roads with traffic whizzing by them. We know what an unexpected trun around the corner can bring. The young man will be grappling with a fully unknown territory, road and perhaps even language in places where God Forbid if something happens he may be left without help for some time. (I hate to think what happens if he skates into a herd of cows on full speed!!!)
Im sorry but IMHO (and seems a number of others) this is not a good idea - it is somewhat reckless

 

[GailGwyn]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

No one should lie to get a Compostella. In any case, he'd really be cheating himself.
Personally, I wouldn't want a noisy skateboard whizzing past me, but we all have freedom of choice, so....

 

[Flog]

Apart from the subject of the poster I find this thread stunningly revealing .. those who are positive about life and those who are negative .. pro fun, anti fun ... pro laugh, pro grumble - so very revealing - one could just about make up two tables for an evening pilgrim meal here - and I so know which table I want to be on.xx

Come off it. That's an absurd and polarised distinction. Those against it probably just think it's a damn fool idea in the first place. I like to think those endorsing it are doing so just for a laugh. What's next, do the camino on one of them segway things? Or maybe a cat on a skateboard juggling oranges?

 

[lt56ny]

Another new low for the camino.

 

[lovingkindness]

Hola @BPG2017
Here is a video of a young peregrino skateboarding the Camino (part 1 of 3). It is charming....

 

[TravellingMan22]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

I guess my thought is skateboard the parts that he can but maybe could use roller blades/skates for areas that may be too tough to skateboard? Many people who are good on a skateboard are good on rollers too. I certainly find skates easier that boarding in some areas. Just a thought!

 

[Tincatinker]

I guess my thought is skateboard the parts that he can but maybe could use roller blades/skates for areas that may be too tough to skateboard? I certainly find skates easier that boarding in some areas. Just a thought!

And of course the {%%}}}% could just walk

 

[Anamiri]

We took our 13 year old grandson on the Camino Frances in 2019. He was keen to take his board but in the end he didn't. When we finished he was pleased that he hadn't taken it, and also that I had curated the contents of his pack (which would have been kilos heavier if I hadn't).
And we really didn't see other kids much on them either. Kids playing football and some other game in the streets though.

 

[lovingkindness]

... I was following la Voie de Pièmont one day when I met an Italian octigenarian who was roller skiing from Santiago de Compostela to Rome. He said he could hardly walk any more but, my, how he could roller-ski. He was a pilgrim at heart and euphoric at still being able to move...

 

[Tortilla]

Camino del Norte after Bilbao and before Ribadeo (500 km) is perfect for skateboarding. Probably 80% on asphalted, but usually quiet roads. And pilgrims are much younger than on the Camino Frances

 

[Cicada]

Go for it! Pilgrims find everything and everyone a nuisance sadly, you will never please many of them. so crack on!

Well said!!!

 

[Llew]

I have seen some silly postings on this site but this would have to take the cake. Why on earth would someone want to skateboard the camino. As one post said "what next, hovercraft's". And as for asking "would he have to lie to get a compostela" shows to me you do not have much regard for the camino if you would even consider lying.

 

[David Tallan]

I would strongly advise against it.

I've never seen a skateboarder on the Camino, but I imagine that many pilgrims would consider it a nuisance.

Many pilgrims consider cyclists a nuisance. The cathedral authorities consider them a valid sort of pilgrim (for the purpose of receiving a Compostela). I consider them valid pilgrims, too. I don't see why the same consideration shouldn't be extended to someone doing the Camino on a skateboard. They, as much as a cyclist, are doing the Camino under their own power (on a "one-speed", no less).

Nuisance or not isn't determined by the form of transport but by the respect with one treats other pilgrims - pedestrians, cyclists, and even skateboarders.

Or so it seems to me.

I'm not sure whether he would qualify for a Compostela. I would think that if he did the last 200 km he should qualify, but I've heard that for cyclists you can't "mix and match" the last 200 km (part on cycle and part on foot) it needs to be either the last 100 km entirely on foot or the last 200 km entirely on a bicycle. That doesn't make sense to me, but it is the rules as I've heard them here. If that is indeed the case, even if he could get a Compostela for doing the Camino on a self-propelled wheeled vehicle, if he has to walk any of the last 200 km (which I expect he would), he'd lose the qualification. If a Compostela is really important to him, you might want to check with the Pilgrim Office first.

 

[David Tallan]

So he's prepared, up front, to consider lying in order to get a Compostela?

That's mighty big of him.

Hals und Beinbruch! as they say on all the best pistes.

I don't see OP saying anywhere that his son has said he is willing to lie to get a Compostela, just asking whether it would be necessary. It is quite possible that if he tells his son that he would have to lie to get a Compostela the son might either decide not to use it on the route or decide not to ask for a Compostela. I'm not sure why you would leap to the conclusion that the son was unwilling to opt for either of those options in preference to lying.

 

[cecelia]

Apart from how we all feel about it, I would be very concerned about your son's safety in certain high traffic areas. That doesn't make it a 'no' from me but more like a "yikes!"

I haven't been on the caminos for a few years, but some of the areas where there is highway walking would seem to me to be quite treacherous if you're not attentive to the traffic. Because skateboards are quite noisy for the rider, I would wonder if he would be able to hear cars coming. Certainly the drivers seem to think that people who are not in cars should get themselves out of the way of the traffic and not vice versa. You or he would know better about how attentive you think he could or would be after many hours of boarding or walking.

I think the distance point has been made clear but just in case it hasn't - as others have pointed out there are no rules for skateboarding, but it is clear that bikers and horseback riders have to do at least 200 km to receive their compostela. Presumably that would also apply to him since he will be riding, sort of....

One more thought - I hope he would be considerate enough not to skateboard through the villages in the early mornings when the local people are still sleeping.

Buen camino to him however he travels.

 

[trecile]

but it is clear that bikers and horseback riders have to do at least 200 km to receive their compostela.

It's 200 km by bike, but 100 km on horseback.

This is from the Pilgrims Office

To get the “Compostela” you must:

Make the pilgrimage for religious or spiritual reasons, or at least an attitude of search.
Do the last 100 km on foot or horseback, or the last 200 km by bicycle.

The Compostela: accreditation of the pilgrimage to Santiago

The “Compostela“, the accreditation of the pilgrimage to the Tomb of St. James.

oficinadelperegrino.com

 

[Kathar1na]

- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

I refrain from strongly advising against . I can't answer the rest of your questions. I could imagine that the mere sight of a skateboarding Camino peregrino is a nuisance for some and a source of amazement or enjoyment for others; at the very least it will give Camino pilgrims something to talk about. The answers given so far will have told you already that you are not exactly among a bunch of skater dudes here . And I am going to ignore your line about lying which I am sure you wrote in jest.

In a thread from 10 years ago forum members tell us about Camino skateboarders. And in the same thread, a volunteer at the Pilgrim Office reports that there are no provisions in the Compostela rules for roller skating but a staff member gave Compostelas to two people who came in and claimed to be the first to have roller skated the Camino. There is at least one Camino skateboarding thread on Reddit and at least one website about another skateboarder (however with an electric skateboard whatever that is). There are photos and videos.

- Forum thread: You know it's weird but people pack it anyway
- Forum thread: Madrid to Santiago by electric skateboard!
- On Reddit: I skateboarded the Camino, does anyone have any photos of me?

 

[Kirkie]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, @BPG2017 . I am following the thread. You may have read my reply above. I did look once, and you were at that moment viewing the thread.
My first reply was an automatic, reflex response only to the point about maybe your son might need to lie to get a compostela.
I have just read a contribution in the post above mine, where there is mention of presuming that you were joking about lying. I thought I was pretty lateral minded, but I did not assume you were joking. Maybe the best thing now is for you to come back in with some response to the replies you have been receiving.
I have no opinion about good or bad on the issue of skate boarding.
Why? I won't be there, it is not an issue for me.

The thread has raised questions, and that in itself is part of the mission of the forum.

On this Feast Day of St James, whatever truth there might be in the myth, the reality is that this day is very important in the collective awareness of the people of the Spanish part of the Iberian Peninsula, of the residents of Santiago, and of many many pilgrims and other people who make their way to Santiago.
I look forward to an indication of your reactions, responses.
Happy Feast.

 

[TravellingMan22]

I have seen some silly postings on this site but this would have to take the cake. Why on earth would someone want to skateboard the camino. As one post said "what next, hovercraft's". And as for asking "would he have to lie to get a compostela" shows to me you do not have much regard for the camino if you would even consider lying.

Ah the old ‘Why on earth would someone want to’ angle. Funny enough many have said that to me about walking a Camino. Something like ‘why on earth would you walk 800km across Spain, sleeping in dorms, get up at 6am etc’ when you could be on a cruise, in Benidorm /Acapulco knocking back the Aperol Spritz or whatever.

It was more of an eye opener to me that people do it on a horse. Like it though!

 

[Kathar1na]

Ah the old ‘Why on earth would someone want to’ angle. Funny enough many have said that to me about walking a Camino. Something like ‘why on earth would you walk 800km across Spain, sleeping in dorms, get up at 6am etc’ when you could be on a cruise, in Benidorm /Acapulco knocking back the Aperol Spritz or whatever.

It is not the old "Why on earth would someone want to" angle. They want to because they are young and fit and enjoy skateboarding. Your comparison misses the point I think. It would be better to compare those two questions: "Can I skateboard the Camino?" and "Can I skateboard Route 66"? Or even "From Land's End to John o'Groats".

And "Is taking a bus or a taxi now and then on Camino different from skateboarding now and then?" I think that we are talking about covering 20%, that is 160 km out of 800 km, right ?

And of course somebody skateboarded already from Land's End to John o'Groats. "It was a beautiful way to see the country piece by piece,’ Barney Page said of his journey." In the Guardian: Skateboarding film wins plaudits for focus on mental health.

 

[TravellingMan22]

It is not the old "Why on earth would someone want to" angle. They want to because they are young and fit and enjoy skateboarding. Your comparison misses the point I think. It would be better to compare those two questions: "Can I skateboard the Camino?" and "Can I skateboard Route 66"? Or even "From Land's End to John o'Groats".

And "Is taking a bus or a taxi now and then on Camino different from skateboarding now and then?" I think that we are talking about covering 20%, that is 160 km out of 800 km, right ?

And of course somebody skateboarded already from Land's End to John o'Groats. "It was a beautiful way to see the country piece by piece,’ Barney Page said of his journey." In the Guardian: Skateboarding film wins plaudits for focus on mental health.

I think you are missing the point! Read the post I responded to.

 

[Kathar1na]

I think you are missing the point! Read the post I responded to.

Thank you for your reply. I went and read the post in question. It is post #44. It says: "What next, hovercraft's". To me that indicates that the comment is not about going on Camino versus lying on the beach but about the "how" of going on Camino. Not by skateboard in the poster's opinion.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Thank you for your reply. I went and read the post in question. It is post #44. It says: "What next, hovercraft's". To me that indicates that the comment is not about going on Camino versus lying on the beach but about the "how" of going on Camino. Not by skateboard in the poster's opinion.

With great respect I’ve really can’t be bothered. If you can’t understand the sentiment behind my post - anyone who does anything out of the ordinary tends to get quizzical and sometime disparaging questions - then that’s up to you.!!

 

[t2andreo]

@David - i understand your punt for "joy" and "this joyful experience". I am however advocating to err on the side of caution. Throuout many threads we caution people how to walk on the roads with traffic whizzing by them. We know what an unexpected trun around the corner can bring. The young man will be grappling with a fully unknown territory, road and perhaps even language in places where God Forbid if something happens he may be left without help for some time. (I hate to think what happens if he skates into a herd of cows on full speed!!!)
Im sorry but IMHO (and seems a number of others) this is not a good idea - it is somewhat reckless

I concur with CW. My concerns are also (and perhaps more) for those pilgrims or pedestrians around him, who could easily be affected by this person's indulgence in his pleasure - riding a skateboard on a Camino.

Who of us has not been adversely affected by some fool weaving in and out of pedestrian traffic on a regular sidewalk or pedestrian path - at home? I submit that extrapolating this to the Camino would not end well - for anyone involved or affected.

Sorry, to be a "stuffed shirt." But, they tell me that I was born old, sober and overly-serious. It's my nature.

Hope this helps,

Tom

 

[Paulin]

My son is planning to do the Camino this autumn. He loves skateboarding (not the breakneck type - just for transport) and would like to take his skateboard. I did the Camino Frances seven years ago and I told him I can think of perhaps 20% of the way where he could actually use the skateboard, for the rest he would have to lug it on his back. He seemed fine with that.
- Am I right about the 20%? Do you think he will be OK, or would you advise strongly against?
- Are skateboarders considered a nuisance?
- Is he allowed to do it on the last 100 km, or will he have to lie to get his Compostela?
- He is also looking into perhaps doing the Camino Portugues instead of the Frances. How would that be, by skateboard?

Thanks in advance!

I like your observation...."he seemed fine with that"

 

[peregrino_tom]

On the second half of the Norte ten years ago (August) we shared some days with a very cool 16-year old German with a skateboard. She managed to find quite a few of those empty little roads or empty pavements to cruise along when the opportunity arose. I think that being a skateboarder was such a part of her identity that it was important the board travelled with her and let her be that skateboarder, even if it was just for a few minutes cruising a day (but it was actually more than this). How do I know this? I once travelled 40 days round the perimiter of US (and some Canada) with a trombone on a Greyhound bus. I was never a great player but it somehow felt like an important companion, lucky charm, and part of the identity I wanted to be on such an adventure.
My suggestion would be for BPG2017's son to take the board but switch to the Norte which I think will work a lot better. It will be more expensive but it has more opportunities for boarding and a looser coastal vibe not found on the Frances. Portuguese would also work better than the Frances.

 

[bullingtonce]

I think you should encourage this intrepid young man. Perhaps, once he has skate-boarded the Camino he would consider canoeing the Darb El Arba'īn (the 40 days road) from Darfur to the Nile, swimming the Great Sand Sea and even seeking out the tail of Ouroboros

If he wants to carry his board and have some fun with the locals when the hiking's done that'll be fun

Yes . . . walk the Camino and use the skateboard at the stops. He will most assuredly meet some local skateboarders and may even form a last friendship or two. At the same time, educate him (he is a kid after all even though he may think he's an adult) about the purpose of walking the Camino. Even a kid needs to learn what reflection and/or meditation is. Plus, I personally believe it shows respect not to do the Camino on a skateboard, but I know this is just one view. Chuck

 

[PeteAJ]

I think it's a fun idea. There are pilgrims who would probably find it a nuisance. There's a few replies above me who do! Two main considerations are the weight of the board and whether or not he can balance well with a pack. The Portugues is generally more flat but has a lot more cobblestone sidewalks to contend with. I can't remember seeing much of anyone skateboarding at all in Spain or Portugal. Not sure how they would take it over there. I would lean towards trying it on an inexpensive, beat up board he could easily abandon. He might not have too much time or energy to do much with it at the end of the day. Is he aware enough to read if he's attracting negative attention?

 

[David]

Maybe these will start appearing - is electric (can't see where a bell would fit)
25mph top speed
16-25 mile range
Luckily they cost over £2,000!

 

[JulieandPeter]

Hola @BPG2017
Here is a video of a young peregrino skateboarding the Camino (part 1 of 3). It is charming....

Thank you for sharing this. I hope everyone has a moment to watch it because it's a nice way to spend 11 minutes on a Saturday morning. Also, it takes one out of one's own perception of what skateboarding on the Camino looks like; it looks lovely. It also illustrates the subtle changes one experiences as one makes their way from SJPDP to Santiago regardless of one's mode of transportation. I haven't watched Part 2 and 3 yet, but if I had to guess, he's probably going to get cranky in the middle.

As for lying. If one is lying at the end of one's Camino, one probably needs another long walk (or roll).

 

[lovingkindness]

Thank you for sharing this....

You are welcome!

 

[Frankybaby66]

I'm planning on doing the Camino on a unicycle wearing oversized checked trousers and sporting a rotating bow tie.
I hope to convince other pilgrims to throw buckets of confetti at me at the tops of difficult gradients. I will try to repel them by squirting water from my buttonhole flower . . .
Too much . . . . . ?

 

[lovingkindness]

I'm planning on doing the Camino on a unicycle wearing oversized checked trousers and sporting a rotating bow tie.
I hope to convince other pilgrims to throw buckets of confetti at me at the tops of difficult gradients. I will try to repel them by squirting water from my buttonhole flower . . .
Too much . . . . . ?

....that sounds joyful...

I once saw a spanish priest showered in rose petals by little children as he walked from house to house blessing makeshift family altars strewn with flowers. He was dressed in sumptuous robes and had quite a following...

 

[Silencio Por Favor]

I'm planning on doing the Camino on a unicycle wearing oversized checked trousers and sporting a rotating bow tie.
I hope to convince other pilgrims to throw buckets of confetti at me at the tops of difficult gradients. I will try to repel them by squirting water from my buttonhole flower . . .
Too much . . . . . ?

As you have probably seen recently the citizens of Barcelona spraying tourists due to sheer numbers affecting housing costs, availability.
I can imagine you spraying numerous people from Sarria to Santiago saying "pilgrim go home ".

 

[Cicada]

I'm planning on doing the Camino on a unicycle wearing oversized checked trousers and sporting a rotating bow tie.
I hope to convince other pilgrims to throw buckets of confetti at me at the tops of difficult gradients. I will try to repel them by squirting water from my buttonhole flower . . .
Too much . . . . . ?

Very good

 

[David Tallan]

I'm planning on doing the Camino on a unicycle wearing oversized checked trousers and sporting a rotating bow tie.
I hope to convince other pilgrims to throw buckets of confetti at me at the tops of difficult gradients. I will try to repel them by squirting water from my buttonhole flower . . .
Too much . . . . . ?

Whatever floats your boat. I won't disparage you. (I won't throw confetti on the Camino, though.)

Nor will I direct ridicule and sarcasm that choose different ways of doing a Camino, ways that don't harm others. Especially keeping in mind that Rule #1 of this Forum requests us not to be sarcastic or insulting.

 

[OldWisePilgrim]

Seems to me the kid is definitely missing one of the major aspects/benefits of the Camino - relatively slow quiet contemplative walking. He should go do his thing in California. Those who are not doing the Camino for religious (ok, maybe more generous “spiritual”) reasons are “culturally appropriating” the Camino. No wonder the Spaniards are incensed at the tourists.

 

[henrythedog]

I started out right at the top of the thread vaguely suggesting that it was a pretty silly idea, but if the lad wanted to carry his board most of the way, why not?

69 posts later I’m now firmly on his side and look forward to reports of him completing his Camino, with frequent use of his skateboard.

 

[Bradypus]

On a vaguely related topic. Stumbled across this article this morning. Behind a paywall but I think the introductory paragraph and the photo probably tell the story well enough! I was in Nantes quite recently - home to some very strange innovative engineering.

De Nantes a Santiago en patines movidos por el sol

El ingeniero francés Joseph Crestin peregrina con un invento curioso propio: una especie de ciclomotor dotado de un panel solar que le remolca cuando le flaquean las fuerzas

www.farodevigo.es

 

[Cicada]

I started out right at the top of the thread vaguely suggesting that it was a pretty silly idea, but if the lad wanted to carry his board most of the way, why not?

69 posts later I’m now firmly on his side and look forward to reports of him completing his Camino, with frequent use of his skateboard.

I can see this thread featuring in Ivar' s most read list at the end of the year!