The aroma of fresh coffee mixes with the crisp morning air in Lyon as Amandine Gilliot, a woman whose life journey has taken a surprising turn, prepares for another day of breaking down barriers. Not on a corporate ladder, but on a skateboard. Amandine, the founder of Social Baskate, a unique skateboarding association, is on a mission to transform the sport into a tool for self-confidence, social connection, and inclusion.
From Burnout to Board: Amandine’s Journey
Amandine, 38, is not your typical skateboarder. She started her journey with a board during a difficult period in her life, experiencing a significant loss of self-confidence after a burnout from her previous entrepreneurial venture, Coney Cookies. “I started skateboarding during a difficult time in my life, with a big loss of self-confidence,” she explains with a proud glint in her eye. “It wasn’t by chance: I chose this discipline to regain self-esteem by pushing myself and surprising myself.”
Her reflection was fueled by philosophical readings, particularly those of French philosopher and novelist Charles Pépin. “Self-confidence arises when you take action. Skateboarding was something I had always wanted to do, but had never tried for fear of judgment from others and due to social codes,” she declares with a smile.
Starting skateboarding at 38, she admits, wasn’t easy. However, surrounded by supportive individuals, particularly within the RQP collective (a group of about twenty women), the experience became a catalyst for personal reconstruction. For Amandine, adult skateboarding became a foundational act, evolving into a vehicle for transmission and inclusion, fostering kindness, diversity, and trust.
Social Baskate: Born from Shared Fears
The idea for Social Baskate truly materialized from a simple observation: during a class, when a teacher asked who practiced skateboarding outside of supervised sessions, only one person raised their hand. “After that class, I went to talk to the other women who hadn’t raised their hands. The same reason often came up: the fear of arriving alone at a predominantly male spot,” Amandine recounts.
This realization prompted her to organize more collective sessions to address these inhibitions. She quickly understood that these blockages also affected adult men who were beginners, subjected to strong social pressure related to the fear of not meeting expectations.
“Most of the time, the association’s sessions are mixed. The idea is kindness, tolerance, respect, and to propagate that within the discipline without judgment or hierarchy of skill level,” she emphasizes.
Skateboarding as a Therapeutic and Social Tool
“Social Baskate’s positioning is intentionally hybrid. Here, skateboarding is seen as a tool for building social connections and rebuilding self-confidence,” Amandine states. Convinced by the personal benefits she gained, she envisioned, in collaboration with her psychologist sister, a concept of “skate therapy.”
These two-hour sessions, open to the general public, combine skateboarding practice with psychological support. This complementary approach allows for a dual effort: reconnecting with self-confidence and re-establishing a peaceful connection with others and one’s environment.
“The story of Social Baskate also continues my entrepreneurial journey marked by the creation of my former company: Coney Cookies,” she notes. After a burnout and the cessation of that activity, the loss of confidence was profound, but Social Baskate emerged precisely from this period of reconstruction, transforming failure into a driving force of meaning and commitment.
The Allie Experience: Deconstructing Skateboarding Fears
To embody its values, Social Baskate is organizing its very first event: The Allie Experience, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Lyon. “Like the association, this day is not designed around performance, but as a space to collectively work on doubts, fears, and legitimacy,” she explains with a joyful demeanor.
The event includes:
- Beginner Session (10 AM – 12 PM): A session dedicated to those who hesitate due to fear of falling, embarrassment about wearing protective gear, or apprehension of judgment from others. The practice will be accompanied by conscious work on fears and ways to overcome them, held at Skate Parc Perrache.
- Brunch & Discussion (1 PM – 3 PM): A time for exchange at Omy around imposter syndrome and mechanisms to deconstruct it.
- Inclusive Free Session (4 PM – 6 PM): An open session for all at Place Louis-Pradel, bringing together women and men, beginners and experienced skaters, in a spirit of sharing and diversity.
- Collective Debate (7 PM – 9:30 PM): The day concludes with a debate on skateboarding as a societal tool, with the theme: “What if our difference could elevate us?”
Social Baskate, with its unique approach and commitment to fostering a supportive community, is poised to make a significant impact on the skateboarding scene in Lyon and beyond. It’s a testament to the power of sport to heal, connect, and empower, proving that sometimes, the greatest leaps of faith happen on four wheels.
Source: https://tribunedelyon.fr/sport/social-baskate-association-skate-lyon/
