Impossible to roller skate in the rain

HUY • Cancellation of this Saturday's roller and cyclo parade The point ● The roller and cyclo parade scheduled for this Saturday in the streets of Huy has been cancelled due to uncertain weather conditions. Explanations from its organizer. ● In Tihange, the new roller skating track on rue des Messes has just been inaugurated. ● Portrait of some young people from the region who are keen on roller skating. IN BRIEF The City of Huy not responsible Naturally, since the organizers of the roller and cyclo parade (the Belgium rollers company from Brussels) were absent, it was the municipal authorities of Huy who had to bear the disappointment and sometimes the discontent of the participants. When, in the late afternoon, the mayor of Huy received a phone call from the organizer Carl de Moncharline announcing that it was cancelled, she could only comply with his decision. The City had absolutely nothing to do with the organization of the event, its intervention being limited to providing the necessary infrastructure and personnel. Mayor Anne-Marie Lizin was obviously disappointed but quickly consoled herself upon learning that it was only postponed. Impossible to roller skate in the rain Saturday afternoon, the organizers of the roller and cyclo parade chose to postpone it. A decision made for the well-being of all participants THIS year 2004, the City of Huy dedicated it to roller skating. Because in addition to being trendy, its inventor was from Huy. Jean-Joseph Merlin, this somewhat extravagant musician and inventor who lived in Huy for some time before leaving for London where, to move around more easily, he conceived the roller skate. This is how the idea of honoring his descendant germinated in the minds of the municipal authorities. And as an opening to the festivities, a 20-kilometer roller and cyclo parade in the streets of Huy. An extraordinary event that was supposed to bring much joy. A large number of people from Huy, young and old, should have gathered this Saturday at the end of the day on the Grand'Place if this famous and long-awaited parade had not been cancelled that very afternoon, a few hours before the start. While this decision may have surprised, or even angered, more than one, it was by no means a whim. On the contrary, it was very well-founded. The organizer, Carl de Moncharline, explains why he made this choice. An explanation that is moreover necessary in the eyes of some participants who could not start even though the sky showed no sign of weakness. [Photo caption] This mother, with roller skates in hand, and her two children on their bikes, discovering that the roller parade is cancelled. “It’s really disappointing” Quite a few people had not heard the radio spots and had gone to the Grand'Place with their roller skates and bikes. A concept that, apparently, greatly appeals to families. Everyone, young and old, was particularly disappointed to learn that the parade was cancelled. While some took it with a smile, others, however, were not at all in the mood to laugh. “It’s really disappointing. We were so looking forward to participating,” confides a lady from Ampsin. And a father adds: “It’s not normal to cancel at the last minute. And to think that I invited friends from far away especially for the parade. It’s not just a drop of rain that’s going to kill us.” Visibly angry, this gentleman then resigned himself to doing the route with his wife and two children. ◇ Carl de Moncharline, you are the organizer of the roller and cyclo parade. Why did you make such a decision? ◆ We rely on the army’s weather wing to decide whether a parade will take place or not. But these are, of course, only probabilities. That said, when the risk of rain is over 50%, we automatically cancel because there is no question of letting people go who might find themselves stuck mid-route in the rain. Not only is it absolutely unpleasant for participants, but it is also impossible to roller skate when the road is wet, as the wheels no longer adhere to the ground. Furthermore, it is very bad for the ball bearings, which can simply break. And it doesn’t have to rain heavily; brief showers are enough to ruin everything. Cancelling is also important from a safety perspective. Falls occur even when weather conditions are optimal, often between 40 and 50, so imagine what could happen in rainy weather. That’s why we choose to cancel when the weather is unstable. ◇ And when do you make your decision? ◆ We wait until 3 PM before making a decision. If we decide to cancel, we have set up three different channels to notify participants. Either by subscribing to the newsletter (www.belgiumrollers.com), by calling the special number on the first page of the website, or by listening to the information bulletin broadcast between 4 and 5 PM on Pure FM. ◇ Have you ever been wrong? ◆ Yes, it happens, but it’s quite rare. Last week, the weather wing advised us to cancel the parade planned in Brussels, even though not a single drop fell during the period when the circuit should have taken place. People complained, which is understandable, but we don’t want to take any risks. ◇ Do you often cancel parades? ◆ Regularly, yes. Probably one out of two times. It doesn’t depend on us, but on the weather. While last year we practically carried out all our parades without interruption, this year we haven’t yet managed to complete a single one. ◇ Have you set another date for the parade in Huy? ◆ Yes, it’s scheduled for July 13th. ◇ What will you do if the weather wing forecasts rain again on July 13th? ◆ Well, unfortunately, it will be cancelled again. As part of the roller skating bicentennial organized by the City of Huy, three parade dates are planned. So, dates can be rescheduled as many times as necessary. Comments collected by Jessica DEFGNÉE The long-awaited track On Sunday, the new roller skating track on rue des Messes in Tihange was inaugurated. This track had been awaited by the young people of the region for a long time. THE LEAST we can say is that the young people of the region are particularly delighted that the year 2004 was dedicated to roller skating. What could be more normal, after all, since this year marks its bicentennial. Which, ultimately, should not change anything for young people aged 12 to 15 who have many other things on their minds than historical data. Unless, as part of this major event in Huy, what they had been hoping for for a long time has finally come true. On Sunday afternoon, the new roller skating track on rue des Messes in Tihange was inaugurated. Initially set up several years ago at the fire station, the track was subsequently transferred there. But it was completely dismantled three years ago for safety reasons, as the surface was torn up. “A quote had been drawn up at the time, but the city could not afford such an expense. This year the budget was released. The surface has been completely redone for an investment exceeding €3,000,” explains Jean-Marie Vanebempt, head of the play areas for the city of Huy. And no sooner was the roller skating track reinstalled than it was already colonized by a whole host of young people from the region. On Sunday, during the inauguration, they were there. Not because they were asked to be present, but because they had been going there for several days already. And as it stands, they are certainly not ready to leave it. “We had been waiting for this moment for a long time. We even wrote letters and signed petitions to say that we wanted our roller skating track back,” several young people emphasize. This track consists of a large ramp and several small modules. It is accessible at any time of day completely free of charge, being outdoors. All young people from the neighborhood, from Huy, and from neighboring municipalities are welcome. J.D Bought with his savings Gauthier Lambermont is 13 years old. He lives in Tihange, not far from the track, and goes to school at Sainte-Marie in Huy. He also knew the track. “Everything was moved because of some young people who enjoyed demolishing the ramps. So we had to wait a very long time for the track to be redone.” He discovered it with his childhood friend, and since then, they have been inseparable from it. To afford professional roller skates, he had to save for several months. And now that he has them, he can’t do without them. But he knows he still has to protect himself; it’s only the second time he’s broken the same wrist! To be like his brother Jérémie Houet is Gauthier’s childhood friend. He is 12 years old and goes to school at Saint-Quirin in Huy. He also lives in Tihange. If he started to get interested in roller skating around the age of 5 or 6, it’s because his older brother did it with his friends. He then caught the bug and today he can’t get rid of it. With his friend Gauthier, they go roller skating as often as they can. “Now that it’s the holidays, we’ll be on the track very often.” Like his comrades, Jérémie intended to participate in the roller parade. He was very disappointed when he learned it was cancelled but fully intends to participate when it finally takes place. The dream opportunity Gilles Vitry is 15 years old. He lives in Jehay and is enrolled at the Athénée in Huy. Roller skating and him have a long history. He always had roller skates, but he bought more powerful ones. He learned that the track was reopened, so he didn’t hesitate a second to go and test it. “I used to go there before when it wasn’t renovated, but it was dangerous, so I stopped and went roller skating in the street.” Because what he prefers above all is what is called “street skating”: roller skating on stairs or ramps, for example. “We go roller skating in front of the bowling alley or at the Quadrilatère, but we always get chased away.” So, the development of this new track was the dream opportunity.