“Nobody ever wanted to take a skateboard up a hill,” Enrique Cubillo said when we met last Saturday morning.
He was back from California, where he used his modified board and a set of poles to get to the top of Mt. Tamalpias. He propelled himself along the side of the road, while a cyclist recorded the accomplishment with a camera.
Mr. Cubillo has residences in New York City and Cornwall-on-Hudson. His next quest is to use his specialized equipment to “Spikeboard” to the top of a local mountain.
Why is he doing it? “Not because it’s there,” as a mountain climber might say. And not for the challenge! The mountain won’t be nearly as high as “Mt. Tam,” which has an elevation of 2,574 feet at the top.
When Mr. Cubillo reaches the pinnacle, he will set a record, because no one’s ever done it before. But it’s not the record or the thrill of being first that motivates him. He’s hoping to create an interest in Spikeboarding so other people start doing it. He’s offered free lessons to anyone who wants to try the sport, and he’ll loan them the equipment.
At present, he says, there are seven Spikeboarders in the world. And, as you might expect, Mr. Cubillo was the first. It’s kept him fit, and it’s developed his endurance. He’s accomplishing things at age 50 that would seem daunting to a younger individual.
And he hopes that younger individuals will try the sport. As an incentive, his company is offering $1,000 to any woman who Spikeboards to the top of Bear Mountain, and $1,000 to any man who can reach the top faster than the sport’s inventor.
Mr. Cubillo is most anxious to get kids involved. He’s aware that American youngsters often spend too much time indoors. Many of them are inactive and overweight. Spikeboarding could help change that trend. And kids could have fun while they’re doing it.
“Be the motor!” is Mr. Cubillo’s advice to them. He hopes that his trip up a nearby mountain will give them the incentive to try.
