WORDS & PHOTOS | KIARA MAARS @KIARA_MAARS @KOHSTAA.STUDIO
LAYOUT | JONATHAN LABEZ @JMLABEZ
I could go on for hours about my experience at La Street République. I’ve been a big fan of street contests since the IMYTA days. I was thrilled to get a chance to photograph a street contest after shooting park contests lately.
La street delivered exactly what skaters and fans crave: a full-on gathering of the tribes in the urban jungle of Paris. La Street is organized by Lucien Hugues and Fred Bukowski (great riders and amazing crew!)
Skaters in attendance included Dan Robinson from Australia, Ganesh Rios Gonzalez from Spain, Valentin Hamers from Germany, Anthony Pottier from Belgium, representing France, Robin Lupo, Victor Nguyen and Nicolas Auroux to name a few. It was quite the show!
When I arrived, shared smiles and made my hellos to everyone; those competing, organizers, people in the crowd. While doing that, I’m reminded of one thing — I’m home.
This year, we had 4 spots in Nanterre, France. We walked and skated from one to the next. I had callbacks walking in Eindhoven during the Winterclash…Except this time, it was 38 C [Editor’s note* 100 degrees fahrenheit] , and the concrete was cooking, so were we.
The first rail was already packed. The crowd covering the whole area. It has been so long since the scene felt this alive.
I wandered through the crowd, present in the moment. I said hi to my friends. I caught smiles on so many faces. The quiet nods at skaters. Focused eyes transfixed on the rail.
At some point I pulled out my camera. I followed each skater one by one through the lens as they slid out of frame off of this curved rail.
Once the contest began, the pace was fast and without warning!
After an hour into the contest, we shifted to spot two. There were 2 handrails at the Nanterre’s pool. You could tell, no one was holding back!
Pauline Dubreuil put her all into her attempts. She kept coming back, more committed with each try. The crowd cheered louder and louder the closer Pauline got. Someone behind me said, “We need to keep an eye on her. She’s going to be outstanding!”.
Sure enough, she locked at full speed like she never had a doubt.
The mob moved to a huge rail, the final spot. I still feel like it wasn’t big enough for Léandre Fabri. People were trickling in, no one had settled on the grass yet. Almost too late to raise my camera, he launched himself at the rail. He couldn’t wait a second longer? First try—killed it!! Come on!!! Are you kidding me!? But I digress.
Wherever we went, the rolling bar followed. It was a party on wheels! Or is it a party bus without the bus… (In the overbearing heat, the cold drinks were a godsend.)
One of the biggest moments on the kink rail came from Victor Nguyen. Try after try, we couldn’t guess what he was getting ready for. Then out of nowhere, he dropped a soul to disaster royal. The crowd was stunned a moment, then exploded as he rolled away.
Without a second to catch his breath, the crowd rushed to shouting to the heavens, laughing and lifting him up.
On the heels of Victor, Ganesh, Anthony, Léandre, and Robin came in hot. Ganesh gave us a breathtaking Topside Soul to true Spin Topside Soyale, landed into the road and almost hit a car! This time, I couldn’t catch my breath!
I fired off a burst of shots, but my camera kept stopped responding. What was going on? I looked down to the flashing words — Card full, card full. I scramble through my bag for a new card and jumped back to it.
The spot was baking under the sun, music loud and motivating. Skaters synced to the soundtrack. There was beautiful atmosphere at the end of the day. There were moments I’d forgot why I was there, lost in the scene in front of me.
I held my breath for each rider. They’re a second away. Wait—take the shot. I could see the full energy of the moment, astonished eyes of skaters and the crowd.
We were brought back to reality as the end of the contest was announced. The judges huddled. Minutes after minutes, we waited in anticipation.
Finally, the answers to our burning questions:
Victor Nguyen for the special mention.
Sadio Traoré with most original trick.
Nicolas Auroux came in as most stylish
Pauline Dubreuil placed best bladie.
Anthony Pottier placed third place.
Robin Lupo was in second.
Ganesh Rios Gonzalez on top in first.
The “Colombian Dragon” from Bilbao as his friends call him, Ganesh ‘surely’ didn’t steal a brick from the Parisian pavement as a trophy.
Winners and participants alike congratulated each other. They laughed, kidded around, shared thoughts on different spot, why they thought they’d never land a tricky maneuver.
The crowd was slowly dispersing. I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Even still, I was bright eyed as the sun set on that final spot.
The next day, there was a meet up at the THEM pop up store. Lucien and Fred brought a DIY rail for a demo. I had the pleasure of meeting none other than Jon Julio and Alex Broskow. They were attentively watching the show all riders were giving. I had a blast watching everyone in person!
There was a chill session and nap time at the nearby skate park in the garden. I took the time to look at different faces. The smiles felt easy and free, conversations flowed.
It was a magical moment of people riding around, sitting on the grass, sharing stories and good vibes.
Goodbyes slowly were made. Promises to meet again, to shoot together soon.
I said goodbye to my friends one by one. As I walked away, the city swallowed the parade of voices. I looked back one more time, lamenting the end of the day. Then I remembered I had the best memories waiting for me inside my camera.
A big thank you to Lucien and Fred for organizing a stunningly executed event!
Let’s make history all together next time!
— Kiara
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