The Ayuntamiento of Estepona will officially dedicate a new sports and leisure area in Cancelada this Saturday, 23 May, to the memory of Ignacio Echeverría, the Spanish lawyer known internationally as the “skateboard hero.”
Ignacio Echeverría lost his life during the 2017 terrorist attack in London after using his skateboard to defend people who were being attacked by jihadist terrorists. His actions earned widespread recognition for bravery and compassion, including praise from Pope Francis and the award of the George Medal by Queen Elizabeth II.
The newly named public space is located on Avenida de Las Palmeras in Cancelada and has been expanded and upgraded with several new outdoor sports facilities. Alongside the existing skate park and green areas, the site now includes a calisthenics park, two pétanque courts, a table tennis table, picnic areas and improved public spaces.
The calisthenics area has been designed for all ability levels, featuring pull-up bars, freestyle bars, monkey bars, parallel bars, Swedish wall equipment and abdominal benches. The installations have been manufactured using galvanised steel and stainless steel materials to ensure durability and resistance outdoors.
Additional improvements include new pavements, urban furniture, benches, picnic tables, landscaping, new grass areas, tree planting, palm tree maintenance and the installation of a drinking water fountain.
Saturday’s inauguration programme will begin at 9.30 am with a meeting of the Estepona and Cancelada pétanque clubs. A CrossFit NXS exhibition will follow at 12.30 pm, before a calisthenics display at 1 pm. The official unveiling of the commemorative plaque will take place at 1.30 pm, followed by a skateboarding exhibition and a paella tasting organised with the collaboration of the Asociación de Vecinos de Cancelada.
Among those expected to attend the ceremony are Ignacio’s father Joaquín Echeverría, British Vice-Consul in Málaga Miriam Pérez, parish priest José Carlos Huete and friends of the family.
