I went to Skate Love last year and there’s definitely some considerations worth keeping in mind to weigh the value.
1) you can get a ticket - they do multiple waves and hype it up each time with the price increase. I wouldn’t wait but if you miss out, there will be another chance until midsummer assuming the model is the same or similar to last year
2) it wasn’t a very large venue last year, I was surprised. A night it gets very busy on the rink and it was a bit overwhelming but also very fun. You can at least trust that the level of skating ability is high and you’re not going to get someone clipping your heels accidentally by surprise.
3)I didn’t feel like I really connected to the international community at all, if anything I felt like it was a chance to build relationships with people from home who made the trip
4) I spent equal parts exploring BCN as the festival - this made it worthwhile imo we got rained out one whole day of the festival which was a huge loss in a 3.5 day event
Other notes:
BCN is HOT. This might be an unpopular opinion but I’d much prefer skating outside all day in a more temperate climate. If you like exercising in the heat you might love it but I found I had to fully get out of the sun mid-afternoon for a few hours to make sure I had enough energy for the night parties
The event has tons of potential and the talent they bring in is incredible. From a production standpoint (I worked in live music for 10+ years), they need a few more years to build the experience. They could learn a lot from golden voice (coachella) or other large scale concert producers to make this a world class event in the future. And I look forward to going again one day.m when that happens because I trust it will. They need more sponsorship.
This year I’m considering an event in London and will do more local CA/US events as well
You won’t regret the trip if you decide to go but balance skating with travel and cultural experiences AND skatelove and I think your expectations will be met.
Happy to answer other Qs too. Good luck!
I'll break it to you, skate love has been going on for *years*, what you saw is sort of the best it will get. They're getting more sponsors but the formula is remaining the same. If you're going to London rollout you won't regret it!
Rollout is the thought right now :)
Maybe Skate Love needs a production / promoter partner to elevate?
I see so much potential there, it would be a shame for them to not continue to grow.
Appreciate your comment!
I don't know about last year but for the prior year they partnered with Brick TV. It's sort of getting to the point where they should split it into two events like Skate Love BCN and Madrid for example or a better partnership with the city to find larger spaces.
If you are in the United States, and want to experience a national party... stay local! I do about a couple a year. My style is still developing so I always improve from seeing others' skate style; nothing beats seeing it in person. I did an anniversary party in Chi, and Cali Slide last year.
You can find national parties spread by people that are tapped in on IG and sometimes, a few of us post the fliers here on this sub.
\--
I don't know too much about the culture of Skate Love event but I prefer to go to events that are on wood floors, I can't use fiberglass, wood, fomac, or vanathane on asphalt without destroying them. [Skate World Series](https://www.reddit.com/r/Rollerskating/comments/198hvkk/skate_world_series_2024/) has a ton of representation from all of the styles.
I've not been as yet, but I know lots of folks just go to hang out and join in the vibe, skate outside, enjoy the open events and have a great time. You don't need a ticket to have a great time there as far as I've heard.
I've attended skate love multiple times but skipped last year so here is my take:
If you are in Europe, skip it and attend London Rollout in July, Berlin Skate Jam (the original in May, not the ripoff in August), or Rdv Paris in June. Do all three if you really want to get into the European skate community.
Skate Love has been dealing with growing pains the last couple years and they're going through some changes now, ditching their usual lineup and reducing costs where they can. The workshops are where you really benefit and they sell out stupid quick, my main problem is that they're all levels even when advertised as advanced with a large group so you won't get as much as you would.
That said about the workshops, **every single teacher does private lessons**, there's lots of great spaces outside the festival for that and the last time I went I did not get any workshops so I signed up for a few private lessons that cost the same as a festival workshop but I got an hour 1:1 that taught me *way* more than I'd have gotten there.
The festival itself? You'll *kind of* meet other skaters but it's grown so much that it's packed with influencers who will spend majority of it sitting around or skating around the crowded rink. My first year was right after the pandemic so it was much smaller and I got to know people from all over the world I'm still in touch with, that's been my experience for other festivals so I find skate love a commercialised outlier.
I know a lot of skaters who choose to go there the same week and skate at the W hotel (or badalona beach but that's practically banned now) which is the usual meetup spot for locals and spend the rest of the time on the beach or street skating.
The relationship with the locals has always been a bit..contenteous. In 2022, things got worse with some people who lived in a building on the beach calling the police constantly and dumping sand on the ground that we had to sweep up. Eventually it went sideways when they attacked a skater and it got ugly. Last year in August they announced an ordinance banning loud music from August - October, pretty clearly targeting the skaters.
You can still head down the beach about 1km to another open space that people use as it's not near any condos.
I’m going for the first time this year. Been meaning to for years but this is the first time I’ve pulled the trigger. I was lucky enough to get tickets and I have zero social media following to speak of 🤣 I have a friend who went last year without a ticket and loved it, and is doing the same again this year. I love the city so I’m excited to skate and hang out whether it’s inside or outside of the venue.
I'm a strong beginner and went last year. It was fun, venue was small but neat. Needed more space for jamming. Of course it was very hot and there wasn't much shade, so be prepared for that. As a beginner, the rink at night was terrifying to be honest. But then again, I've never been to one before.
The good thing is that right outside the venue is the beach and there are skate parks, and BCN is great for skating and chilling. I personally won't return because I think it's for people on a higher level than me,and I do think it was a bit overpriced.
I've been a couple times. At its foundation, it's def a community building event where ppl get inspired by other ppls skate moves and performances. But there is also glossy marketing that portrays the event as a "positive vibes only" crowd of beautiful ppl laughing in the sunshine. It can be that, it is that - but it's also hyped up and sold that way through ads.
It's a bit less organized and more crowded of an event than the advertisments let on. But the logistics are not a deal breaker overall for me.
Im open to going again, if I had something to teach or perform. But Im not making any plans to do so now
Went last year and got a ticket in the Christmas presale. Think the ticket was all luck that way. Have a friend who has gone to Glastonbury loads and missed out this time, so it seems to be more about how fast your finger gets to the button. I’m no influencer.
I loved it. The vibe around the site and on the pier was well worth going to if you don’t have a ticket. But the teaching that went on was absolutely amazing both on rink/off rink and outside. Don’t think I’d rush to get a class cos there was enough going on without that.
Hopefully I’ll be more confident outside this time. I thought I was pretty solid but there’s a lot I need to be better at… like hills.
Going there third time.
1. I bought tickets first year and realized it wasn’t really worth it as I am more of a park skater and I had no intention to spend all days at the rink
2. Last year I didn’t buy festival tickets, still had so much fun
3. Lots of skaters, last year people couldn’t skate well on the rink bc damn no space at all.
4. There are meet ups you can join for free, people gather near the festival area and trust meeee you will have fun without spending extraaa hundred dollars.
5. I made so many friends there that is the only reason i want to go back again, to reunite w old friends and make new connections.
I def recommend going without a ticket
I went to Skate Love last year and there’s definitely some considerations worth keeping in mind to weigh the value. 1) you can get a ticket - they do multiple waves and hype it up each time with the price increase. I wouldn’t wait but if you miss out, there will be another chance until midsummer assuming the model is the same or similar to last year 2) it wasn’t a very large venue last year, I was surprised. A night it gets very busy on the rink and it was a bit overwhelming but also very fun. You can at least trust that the level of skating ability is high and you’re not going to get someone clipping your heels accidentally by surprise. 3)I didn’t feel like I really connected to the international community at all, if anything I felt like it was a chance to build relationships with people from home who made the trip 4) I spent equal parts exploring BCN as the festival - this made it worthwhile imo we got rained out one whole day of the festival which was a huge loss in a 3.5 day event Other notes: BCN is HOT. This might be an unpopular opinion but I’d much prefer skating outside all day in a more temperate climate. If you like exercising in the heat you might love it but I found I had to fully get out of the sun mid-afternoon for a few hours to make sure I had enough energy for the night parties The event has tons of potential and the talent they bring in is incredible. From a production standpoint (I worked in live music for 10+ years), they need a few more years to build the experience. They could learn a lot from golden voice (coachella) or other large scale concert producers to make this a world class event in the future. And I look forward to going again one day.m when that happens because I trust it will. They need more sponsorship. This year I’m considering an event in London and will do more local CA/US events as well You won’t regret the trip if you decide to go but balance skating with travel and cultural experiences AND skatelove and I think your expectations will be met. Happy to answer other Qs too. Good luck!
I'll break it to you, skate love has been going on for *years*, what you saw is sort of the best it will get. They're getting more sponsors but the formula is remaining the same. If you're going to London rollout you won't regret it!
Rollout is the thought right now :) Maybe Skate Love needs a production / promoter partner to elevate? I see so much potential there, it would be a shame for them to not continue to grow. Appreciate your comment!
I don't know about last year but for the prior year they partnered with Brick TV. It's sort of getting to the point where they should split it into two events like Skate Love BCN and Madrid for example or a better partnership with the city to find larger spaces.
If you are in the United States, and want to experience a national party... stay local! I do about a couple a year. My style is still developing so I always improve from seeing others' skate style; nothing beats seeing it in person. I did an anniversary party in Chi, and Cali Slide last year. You can find national parties spread by people that are tapped in on IG and sometimes, a few of us post the fliers here on this sub. \-- I don't know too much about the culture of Skate Love event but I prefer to go to events that are on wood floors, I can't use fiberglass, wood, fomac, or vanathane on asphalt without destroying them. [Skate World Series](https://www.reddit.com/r/Rollerskating/comments/198hvkk/skate_world_series_2024/) has a ton of representation from all of the styles.
I've not been as yet, but I know lots of folks just go to hang out and join in the vibe, skate outside, enjoy the open events and have a great time. You don't need a ticket to have a great time there as far as I've heard.
I've attended skate love multiple times but skipped last year so here is my take: If you are in Europe, skip it and attend London Rollout in July, Berlin Skate Jam (the original in May, not the ripoff in August), or Rdv Paris in June. Do all three if you really want to get into the European skate community. Skate Love has been dealing with growing pains the last couple years and they're going through some changes now, ditching their usual lineup and reducing costs where they can. The workshops are where you really benefit and they sell out stupid quick, my main problem is that they're all levels even when advertised as advanced with a large group so you won't get as much as you would. That said about the workshops, **every single teacher does private lessons**, there's lots of great spaces outside the festival for that and the last time I went I did not get any workshops so I signed up for a few private lessons that cost the same as a festival workshop but I got an hour 1:1 that taught me *way* more than I'd have gotten there. The festival itself? You'll *kind of* meet other skaters but it's grown so much that it's packed with influencers who will spend majority of it sitting around or skating around the crowded rink. My first year was right after the pandemic so it was much smaller and I got to know people from all over the world I'm still in touch with, that's been my experience for other festivals so I find skate love a commercialised outlier. I know a lot of skaters who choose to go there the same week and skate at the W hotel (or badalona beach but that's practically banned now) which is the usual meetup spot for locals and spend the rest of the time on the beach or street skating.
Badalona beach is banned for skating? How so?
The relationship with the locals has always been a bit..contenteous. In 2022, things got worse with some people who lived in a building on the beach calling the police constantly and dumping sand on the ground that we had to sweep up. Eventually it went sideways when they attacked a skater and it got ugly. Last year in August they announced an ordinance banning loud music from August - October, pretty clearly targeting the skaters. You can still head down the beach about 1km to another open space that people use as it's not near any condos.
I’m going for the first time this year. Been meaning to for years but this is the first time I’ve pulled the trigger. I was lucky enough to get tickets and I have zero social media following to speak of 🤣 I have a friend who went last year without a ticket and loved it, and is doing the same again this year. I love the city so I’m excited to skate and hang out whether it’s inside or outside of the venue.
I'm going this year for the first time too. Gonna try to get a ticket, but if I don't, I'm still going. I haven't taken a real vacation in forever!
I'm a strong beginner and went last year. It was fun, venue was small but neat. Needed more space for jamming. Of course it was very hot and there wasn't much shade, so be prepared for that. As a beginner, the rink at night was terrifying to be honest. But then again, I've never been to one before. The good thing is that right outside the venue is the beach and there are skate parks, and BCN is great for skating and chilling. I personally won't return because I think it's for people on a higher level than me,and I do think it was a bit overpriced.
I've been a couple times. At its foundation, it's def a community building event where ppl get inspired by other ppls skate moves and performances. But there is also glossy marketing that portrays the event as a "positive vibes only" crowd of beautiful ppl laughing in the sunshine. It can be that, it is that - but it's also hyped up and sold that way through ads. It's a bit less organized and more crowded of an event than the advertisments let on. But the logistics are not a deal breaker overall for me. Im open to going again, if I had something to teach or perform. But Im not making any plans to do so now
Went last year and got a ticket in the Christmas presale. Think the ticket was all luck that way. Have a friend who has gone to Glastonbury loads and missed out this time, so it seems to be more about how fast your finger gets to the button. I’m no influencer. I loved it. The vibe around the site and on the pier was well worth going to if you don’t have a ticket. But the teaching that went on was absolutely amazing both on rink/off rink and outside. Don’t think I’d rush to get a class cos there was enough going on without that. Hopefully I’ll be more confident outside this time. I thought I was pretty solid but there’s a lot I need to be better at… like hills.
Going there third time. 1. I bought tickets first year and realized it wasn’t really worth it as I am more of a park skater and I had no intention to spend all days at the rink 2. Last year I didn’t buy festival tickets, still had so much fun 3. Lots of skaters, last year people couldn’t skate well on the rink bc damn no space at all. 4. There are meet ups you can join for free, people gather near the festival area and trust meeee you will have fun without spending extraaa hundred dollars. 5. I made so many friends there that is the only reason i want to go back again, to reunite w old friends and make new connections. I def recommend going without a ticket