In Vitoria-Gasteiz, as night falls, wheels begin to turn. The Gaubela association, founded in 2005, has built a community through skating, combining learning and leisure. "We are a group of people who share the desire to skate and also knowledge. We try to provide warmth like a family and contribute our best through our skates," explains Aurelio Aguirre, one of the association's founders.

What started as a small group of a dozen friends has grown over time. Today, Gaubela has a distinct social and recreational character, and it's not a competition, but rather a way to release daily tensions. "It's a way to end the day without overthinking, in a recreational way where you free yourself from all the day-to-day stresses," comments Miriam, the association's secretary.

The association has organized its activities in various locations throughout the years, such as Luis Dorao, Federico Baraibar, Sansomendi, and Olaranbe. On Mondays, they hold learning and improvement sessions at Luis Dorao; on Wednesdays, free practice at Federico Baraibar; and on Thursdays, the well-known nocturnal route starting from Plaza Nueva and traversing the city streets.

Gaubela also organizes monthly routes like the 2V or the Ruta Calamar, and participates throughout the year in traditional events such as Carnival, Korrika, Halloween, or the San Silvestre. Furthermore, they travel together as a group, having explored cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris.

From the initial 12 people, Gaubela reached over a thousand members in its history. Today, there are around 65, but with the same energy as always. "In the end, Gaubela has never been about numbers. It's about the sensation of gliding through Vitoria-Gasteiz at night, with the asphalt as the track and the city as a companion," they state.