Rolling Through the Years
Philippe “Chino” Foucart stands out as the exception to the notion that skateboarding belongs to the young. At 42 years old, Foucart glides through the ramps of Skatepark Gulliver in Valencia, and although he has broken and dislocated multiple bones, he isn’t thinking of retiring from the sport just yet.
Philippe “Chino” Foucart lights a cigarette before he begins his skating routines in June. At 42, he’s often the oldest at the Skatepark Gulliver in Valencia, Spain.Born in Paris in 1977, Foucart moved to Valencia with his mother at age 10 after his father passed away. He learned to skate on the streets of Paris, when a friend lent him a skateboard. Foucart’s skating career has left him with remarkable anecdotes, which he reflects on as he looks at how skateboarding has evolved.
“Para divertirte tienes que quitarte un poco el miedo, pero tengo igual de miedo, me considero normal, tengo miedo y valentía como todos.” — Foucart
“To have fun you need to lose your fear. I consider myself normal. I have fear and bravery like everyone else.” — Foucart
Chino, Foucart’s skating name, says he loved the feeling he had when he got on his board for the first time and he doesn’t focus on the risks.
Born in Paris in 1977, Foucart moved to Valencia with his mother at age 10 after his father passed away. He learned to skate on the streets of Paris, when a friend lent him a skateboard. Foucart’s skating career has left him with remarkable anecdotes, which he reflects on as he looks at how skateboarding has evolved.
Philippe Foucart performs an ollie at the Gulliver Skatepark in Valencia, Spain in June, 2019.Time has taken a toll on Foucart’s body. At his peak, Foucart says he skated a minimum of four hours every day from Monday to Sunday. Now, he only skates two to three hours for two to three days a week. He still remembers what he values most about skating.
“Los momentos cuales más recuerdo son de los años de viajes y patinadas de cuando éramos pequeños. De cuando tenia 16, 18 años, y así, eran como los mejores recuerdos que he hecho con mis amigos de aquí de Valencia, de toda la vida.” — Foucart
“The moments I remember most are from the years of travel and skating when we were little. From … when I was 16, 18 years old, they were like the best memories I’ve had with my friends from here in Valencia, my lifelong friends.” — Foucart
“Skateboarding es más que un deporte o pasatiempo, es un estilo de vida,” Philippe Foucart says. (Skateboarding is more than a sport or hobby. It is a lifestyle). He performs a trick named front-side rock and roll at Skatepark Gulliver in Valencia, Spain in June.
Philippe Foucart catches air during an ollie sad cross bone at Skatepark Gulliver in Valencia, Spain in June.“Me hace sentir bien, me rejuvenece el ser mayor y seguir patinando.” — Foucart
“Being older and still skating makes me feel good, it rejuvenates me.” — Foucart
Foucart is still making memories at Skatepark Gulliver. Although he still executes all the tricks he’s learned, he finds them more challenging. Every time he accomplishes a trick, a smile crosses his face, and he goes home feeling accomplished.
Philippe Foucart shows support to Adrian Puchades (left), 20, skating in the bowl at Skatepark Gulliver in Valencia, Spain in June.On most weekdays, Foucart can often be found at the skatepark in a sea of teenagers. The younger skaters are comfortable around him, despite his age.
When young people start to skate, Foucart says they see it as a hobby. However, even if they leave to pursue other things, many come back, he says. That’s when they realize that skating is their passion.
Adrian Puchades cheers for Philippe Foucart at Skatepark Gulliver in Valencia, Spain in June.Adrian Puchades, 20, a friend of Foucart, says Chino has been skating for many years. “Esta loco,” or “He is crazy,” says Puchades.
Puchades says he hopes to be skating when he turns 40, just like Foucart.
Although there are people that look up to Foucart, he says he skates for his personal satisfaction, not for admiration.
Over the years, Foucart has seen that skating is more respected and has evolved. He remembers when skating was looked down upon years ago. “You would be on the street, and people would stare at you,” he says.
Facilities and skating stores are positive for the skating culture, he says.
“Nowadays there is more accessibility to skating,” he says. “You can go anywhere and skate. You see skating in advertisements, on TV and cities are making more parks.”
“Si de un día a la mañana ya no podría patinar me entraría un bajón, depresión. Me daría … no me lo planteo … no me lo planteo.” — Foucart
“If one day in the morning, I could not skate anymore, I would get depressed. I can’t, I can’t even think about it.” — Foucart.
Philippe Foucart is confident that he will continue skating as long as he’s able to.
“I know that, of course, I look older and I wonder, in a few years what will I do?” Foucart says. “But I think I’ll skate the same way, I will not do risky tricks, but I’ll still skate.”
