Skateman rolls through Strathmore

Times Reporter   

 

Kevin Ebra, also known as “Skateman”, left Toronto on July 10 on an 120 day, inline skate journey towards Vancouver to support children with cancer, and to set a new Guinness world record in skating distance. He whirled through Strathmore on Oct. 9 on route to Calgary.

“Winter time is very hard,” Ebra said. “I’m traveling from Toronto to Vancouver, and the wind is traveling Vancouver to Toronto. This is my big challenge.” 

After leaving his home in Ontario’s capital, Ebra skated to Montreal, Ottawa and Val-d’Or – the opposite direction of his final destination – as he needed more kilometres to go towards his 6,700 km goal. The official current record is 6,100 km held by a man in Vietnam.

Ebra, a native of Iran, has skated in his home country and in Turkey as well, for causes such as multiple sclerosis and Japanese Tsunami Relief. This is his sixth longest journey; one of his last efforts had him complete 6,500 km, but since it was not official, it did not count towards Guinness’s records.

“Every year, I do a different cause, in a different country,” Ebra said. “I say thanks to everyone supporting my cause.”

As an inspiration for this year’s route, Ebra has chosen to follow in the footsteps of Terry Fox.

“This guy gave me a very good idea. He’s not just supporting cancer. He’s a very different guy,” Ebra said. “People in the world are a very big family. They need help, together with other people.”

The 28-year-old travels up to 80 km per day, reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h when skating downhill. Ebra doesn’t even find this the most difficult part of his ride.

“Mountains are a very, very big challenge for me,” Ebra said. “Skating is a little bit hard; bicycling, every time you sit. Skating is different for me, and I like skating in the roads. That’s my hobby.”

Ebra and the Skateman team have 18 exhibitions along his route, where his books and clothes will be on sale to go towards a cure for children’s cancer. Nov. 17 is his expected finish date in Vancouver.

Anyone along the route can join Ebra in biking or inline skating alongside him. If you wish to volunteer with Skateman, email volunteer@skateman.ca. Donations can be made on www.skateman.ca.