The Bowl of Marseille

The history of the Marseille Bowl

Considered by many specialists as the best skate park in Europe, the Marseille Bowl came to life in 1991, born from the imagination of Jean-Pierre Collinet. He envisioned a unifying place, close to the sea, with curves reminiscent of waves. He had this idea in mind for over 10 years and impulsively decided to pursue it. The park was built in just 6 months, and success began to show. It's logical to attract people when you're in such a beautiful setting, but it goes far beyond that! The greatest stars of skating (skateboarding, BMX, and rollerblading) have graced the concrete of this park during the most prestigious competitions. Among these stars, we can mention Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, Dave Mirra, C.J. Wellsmore, Danny Way, Omar Hassan, John Cardiel, Alex Chalmers… the list goes on! Moreover, the bowl attracts riders from all backgrounds and countries; it is even said that Belgians have come to skate from Bruges solely for this legendary bowl!

Description of this paradise for riders

The Marseille Bowl, located at Escale Borély on the beaches of Prado, is a paradise for riders that has gained worldwide renown since its inauguration.

The Marseille Bowl stands out for its unique structure, divided into three main parts that offer a complete experience for fans of skating. The first part, known as the "spine," measures 1.70 meters in height and consists of two half-pipes separated by a central ridge. This particular configuration allows riders to perform impressive aerial tricks by moving from one half-pipe to the other, while exploiting the dynamics offered by the spine's ridge.

The second section of the Bowl delves deeper into the world of skating with its cloverleaf shape, composed of three small bowls of different sizes. The "eight," with depths of 1.80 meters and 2.20 meters, and the "mega," which reaches a depth of 2.70 meters, offer variations in terrain that challenge the agility and creativity of riders. This cloverleaf configuration is emblematic of the Marseille Bowl, allowing for a multitude of lines and tricks in a relatively compact space.

Finally, the last section, nicknamed "the mini," is dedicated to street skating. This part is specially designed for riders who prefer street skating tricks, with elements such as rails, stairs, and ledges. The mini provides a space where precision and technique are paramount, allowing skaters to refine their street skills in a suitable environment.

Its free access and nighttime lighting make it a unique living space in Marseille, attracting riders from around the world. Each year, it hosts the Quiksilver Bowlrider, among other internationally renowned competitions such as the Pro Bowl Contest and the Red Bull Bowl Rippers, consolidating its reputation as a pioneer in the world of skating.

A skatepark that has been revamped

After 25 years of intense riding day and night, rain or shine, you can imagine that the bowl wasn't as smooth as before. Yes, even the Mona Lisa suffers the ravages of time! And despite makeshift repairs, its condition was slowly deteriorating. BUT! This period came to an end in 2017. The city and the department eventually financed the major renovation works of our legendary Bowl. The operation cost a whopping €590,000 (we told you that 25 years of taking wheel hits to the face didn't do any good).

The Bowl retained its original architecture, but the ground was, of course, refurbished, smoother and stronger than ever! The area around the park itself is now better arranged with the addition of bleachers to accommodate more people during major events.