Skateboarder Diego Poncelet reached a verified speed of 151.83 km/h on a closed road in Les Éboulements, Quebec, on Sept. 22. Traveling at a velocity typically associated with highway automobile traffic, the 27-year-old Spaniard shattered the previous standing world record in the standing downhill skateboard category. For comparison, a casual recreational skateboarder pushing along flat pavement moves at roughly 8 to 12 km/h.
Four-Year Preparation Precedes the Quebec Run
Poncelet’s record-breaking descent on Sept. 22 eclipsed the previous benchmark of 146.73 km/h set by Peter Connolly in 2017 at the exact same Canadian location. Poncelet spent four years preparing for the attempt, which included scouting appropriate descending routes. Some observers initially warned that road surface deterioration, including cracks and potholes, might make high-speed runs impossible on the chosen stretch of asphalt in the province of Québec.
Custom Hardware Replaces Standard Braking Gear
For the world record attempt, Poncelet utilized a specialized, custom-built skateboard weighing 14 kilograms. Rather than using conventional safety equipment, he wore shoes fitted with rubber soles sourced from automobile tires and deliberately omitted the plastic sliding gloves typically worn on hands to scrub speed during descents. Poncelet told Reuters that the setup meant he relinquished standard methods for slowing down once gravity took over on the slope.
Sensory Deprivation and Extreme Physical Risk
During the run, the extreme velocity severely limited Poncelet’s field of vision. “I have no idea how fast I am going because I can barely see anything,” Poncelet told Reuters. “I only perceive everything flying by at a crazy speed along the sides.” He added that air rushing around his body created a feeling of being enclosed inside a cocoon. Operating without standard slide-gloves exposed him to severe potential injury if a crash occurred. Reflecting on those hazards, Poncelet told Reuters that a fall at that speed transcends ordinary accidents: “When something happens to me, it won’t be an ordinary fall. The suit won’t change anything. Skin grows back. The problem is the bones and what is inside.”
Multiple Runs and Afternoon Winds
Poncelet completed seven individual runs on the day of the attempt, waiting until the afternoon hours for favorable wind conditions before achieving his peak velocity. His final figure of 151.83 km/h surpassed Connolly’s mark by 5.1 kilometers per hour. Despite the margin, Poncelet told Reuters he remains focused on pushing the envelope further: “I’m still wondering what it would be like to go say 160 km/h.” He noted that identifying a suitable roadway capable of supporting such velocities remains the primary obstacle to future attempts.
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