Photos by Florian Porath and Hugo Paucker
Words by Sabine Biedermann
The annual Pool Bash of Greifswalder DIY happened for the 3rd time on Saturday 26th of June, bringing together skaters from around the world for an all-wheels skate jam that showed insane skating, amazing concerts, and ended with a refreshing swim on Berlins hotter weekend ever.
Its 12:00 o’clock, the temperature already marks 33 degrees in the shadow, and the Greifi team is setting up the stage, hanging a shade net over the pool, connecting a hoe to the neighbor’s water, and setting up the sound system. The long-awaited pool bash weekend has arrived together with Europe’s most ruthless heat wave. As we planned the event and realized we had 39 degrees in the shadow announced for Saturday, we quickly realized adjustments had to be made to keep everyone safe while still carrying on with the event. After considering different options, sticking to the original plan (skating during the day and having the bands play in the evening) seemed like the only possible plan. The fragile good terms with the surrounding buildings and neighborhood community rely on keeping quiet during nighttime, so no concerts or skate jam are possible after 10 pm. This of course meant people would have to skate in the peak of the heat. With news of the heatwave causing heat strokes on its passing though France, climate adaptation was a central task of the planning.
Photo by Hugo Paucker
Despite the back and forth in the planning and the additional new challenges, everyone showed up cheery and determined to throw a great skate party once again. A water sprinkler was set on the entrance, electrolytes were added to the water, parasols, sun pavilions and shade nets were set in place, warning signs were hanged reminding to drink enough water and take proper rests, and everyone was kept cool with water sprayers and iced refreshments.
By 14:30 the pavement was too hot to touch already and the flinta jam (for women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender people) was starting. Skaters, including prominent skaters from as far as Colombia, showed up with the best attitude and impressed with stunts unseen for the spot while smiling and cheering each other. As everyone became increasingly drenched in sweat stuff donated by kind sponsors was given up for tricks while local Lucia lightened up the mood even more as a singing and laughing MC.
Around 17:00 the all-genders all-wheels skate jam started and turned up the heat even more. Brave skaters gave their best shredding the pool to loud music and the sharp comments of Ramon on the microphone. While temperature was still almost impossible to bear without getting wet every minute, more and more people started showing up and hyping the skaters as they grinded, slid, aired and spun through the pool. As its already tradition the ladder was added for additional challenges, and the skaters rose to the occasion with some jaw dropping tricks. And they were prized with great stuff!
After the jam ended, Haphazard Music, Dead Finks, J Mahon, and local skater OUK delighted us with great music. People went crazy dancing and singing while the pool was still being shredded and the drinks were still being served (mostly) cold (that’s a first for us)!
Next morning, with 40 degrees announced for the day, the pool was filled providing an alternative fresh spot for ditching the extreme heat. Skaters, divers and mermaids enjoyed the fresh water and we were reminded once again how lucky we are to have greifi DIY!
Another video, this one by Eric Müller, Weekend at Greififornia DIY with Max, Anika, Maite, David, Erik and Julia.
Pool Service: Lilli. Music: The Tights “Cracked”
