- Title: Frenchman completes electric tour of France on skateboard
- Date: 31st July 2017
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (FILE - APRIL 30, 1999) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GROPAIZ SKATING ALONG CHAMPS ELYSEES AVENUE
- Embargoed: 14th August 2017 10:38
- Keywords: electric skateboard skating roller blades world tour tour of France world record Fabrice Gropaiz
- Location: PARIS, MERS-LES-BAINS, LE TREPORT, BEAUSEMBLANT, TOULOUSE AND UNKNOWN LOCATION ALONG CANAL DES DEUX MERS , FRANCE / ST. PETERSBURG AND NOVGOROD, RUSSIA / UNKNOWN LOCATION, MONGOLIA / UNKNOWN LOCATION AND HUAIROU, CHINA
- City: PARIS, MERS-LES-BAINS, LE TREPORT, BEAUSEMBLANT, TOULOUSE AND UNKNOWN LOCATION ALONG CANAL DES DEUX MERS , FRANCE / ST. PETERSBURG AND NOVGOROD, RUSSIA / UNKNOWN LOCATION, MONGOLIA / UNKNOWN LOCATION AND HUAIROU, CHINA
- Country: France
- Topics: Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0026S1S4T5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Frenchman Fabrice Gropaiz completed his tour of France on an electric skate on Saturday (July 29), ending his challenge on the streets of Paris.
Roughly 20 years after setting a record for the first world tour on roller skates, Gropaiz challenged himself to tour France on an electric skateboard, in preparation for his next around-the-world journey.
Public-relations specialist Gropaiz became the first person to successfully rollerblade around the world when he arrived at Paris's Arc de Triomphe on April 30, 1999, after completing 27,000 km in 28 months.
At 28, he decided to mix his different interests in travel, sport and communications by hooking up a tent to his back, lacing rollers to his feet and rolling across the globe.
The record-breaker set off on June 27 for his trip around France using a more modern type of electric skating vehicle.
His skateboard has a big battery attached to its underside and he carries a solar panel in his trailer in order to charge the board.
Through his endeavours, Gropaiz said he wants to show how the world can revolutionise its methods of transport.
Gropaiz plans on travelling 25,000km (15,535 miles) around the world in two years starting in the spring of 2018. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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