Nice chat with one of the new faces on the race scene from Northern Spain. Crazy Ivan tells us about a 700km skate he did, his first season of racing and the GOAT team.

Hola Ivan, where are you from?
Oiartzun am, near San Sebastian.

When did you start skating?
I started skating 2 years ago or so. But I started downhill a year ago.

Are there many people skating in Oiartzun?
In oiartzun very few people. There are about 20 at most.

How did you get into skating?
My little brother bought a sector9, and one day I tried it and I liked it so much I decided to buy one for myself.

Are there any hills there?
There are many runs, but not all are good for skating. Heavy traffic and bad asphalt quality.

Who do you ride with?
I skate with my old friends, but when I go downhill, I get together with local skaters who practice this form. After our first year skating, a friend and I decided to do the Camino de Santiago (700kilometros route) skating. We planned a route and we did it!

Why did you skate so far?
We decided to make this trip for many reasons. To escape from our day to day routine and create an unforgettable trip. Also to explore a new means of transport on the route. (because so far it had only been done by bike, horseback or on foot). Skating 700km was incredible.

How long did it take?
We had expected to finish within 15 days, doing about 45 km per day on average. My traveling companion decided he wanted to finish earlier and proposed to raise the bar and the daily mileage. We did more than 70km daily and managed to get to Santiago de Compostela in 11 days.

Do you have any plans to do another trip like this?
The truth is that we have many ideas maybe in other countries. It will be a surprise for you!

What do you enjoy about skating down hills?
I like short hills with many sharp turns, aggressive braking and I appreciate good asphalt.

Do you compete?
I started this year. I am very happy, because I’m learning a lot. I hope to continue learning.

What events have you gone to?
Rigalette, Tuixent, Laredo, Bo Peep and I will go to, Teolo, Peyragudes and Lagoa.

What has been the highlight for you so far?
My favorite moments are when I feel the tension on the start line before they shout and say GO. Then PUSH! PUSH! PUSH!

Which event have you enjoyed most?
Tuixent freeride, it’s an incredible hill.

Who have you been travelling with?
I traveled with the people of GOAT.

What do you ride?
GOAT-mechanic I use for downhill
GOAT-crazy ivan for freeride.

What is GOAT?
GOAT is a brand of longboards. Made of bamboo and fiberglass based in the Basque country, Spain.

Who builds the boards?
Judith, Gorka, Miguel, Ayesa and Mikel. Great people

What is your role in the GOAT family?
I am a rider, and I help make the shapes of the boards that I use.

What is special about The Crazy Ivan board?
It’s a freeride board, nice for slides at high speed and downhill. A topmount or drop-through. Double concave and very rigid. Amazing shape!

How is it different from other boards?
It was made with a lot of care to details. We worked the bamboo carefully, with rider comfort and performance as our motivation.

What is different about bamboo boards?
They have a nice flex, they are robust and not affected by water.

Who else is on the GOAT team?
Glad you asked! Noelia Otegui (a girl from Madrid) and Guillermo Larumbe (a boy from San sebastian).

Do they have pro models as well?
The Thor was designed by Guillermo Larumbe, so yes.

What did you enjoy about Tuxient?
The organization, the hill, the people, the asphalt… hehe EVERYTHING!

Do you have any events in the North?
Bikingo eguna! A freeride (hs2 sup escola).

What other boards do GOAT make?
We have many prototypes. The commercial boards are:
Crazy Ivan: freeride
Zero1: carving, tricks, slides
Thor: downhill and freeride
Mechanic: (downhill)
Pilgrim: (Long Distance). And we are working on a pintail.

Have you made any long journeys on the pilgrim?
I did the “Camino de Santiago” with her, and a little tour around the area.

What are you looking forward to most this season?
I want to learn everything possible. And have fun!

Where would you like to be in 2 years?
Having the maximum enjoyment of skateboarding. And keep improving. I would like to make the as many IGSA races.

What do you do when you’re not skating?
Climbing, skiing, canyoning, kayaking, slackline. I also like to hang out with my friends.

Pick 3 numbers between 1-37.
1,2,3

1 – What do you take with you when you go for a skate?
Protections.

2 – Would you rather have a hook for a hand or a wheel for a foot?
The hook for the hand of course! The only thing I want for my feet is “Goat”!

3 – What impact has longboarding had on your life?
It’s quite important. To the extent that other sports get less attention so I have more time to skate.

It has been awesome speaking to you again bro! Maybe see you in Madrid for La Noche en Negro?
Yes! I hope to go!

Any thank yous?
Yea! Sobretodo a la familia GOAT LONGBOARDS, por confiar y apoyarme al máximo en todo. A mis colegas de Madrid, TOXICWORLD, que son todos unos chicos increíbles. A UNAI BELLAMY, (fotógrafo de GOAT), que para mi ya es como un hermano… No olvidar a la persona que me inicio en el mundo del downhill, IKER ARRIZABALAGA, la persona de la que mas e aprendido… A Elena … y a todos mis colegas de OIARTZUN….

Links
http://www.facebook.com/goatlongboards
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goatlongboards/
http://www.goatlongboards.com/    cooming soon…

All photos by the super talented Unai Bellamy.