Estepona honors Spain’s skateboarder hero Ignacio Echeverria nine years after London terrorist attack 

Estepona has dedicated a newly-renovated sports area in Cancelada to the hero of London’s terror attacks, Ignacio Echeverria. 

Who was Ignacio Echeverria?

Ignacio Echeverria grew up near Madrid in Las Rozas. He was a Spanish lawyer, banker. He balanced a professional career with a passion for skating, surfing and squash, later moving to London to work for HSBC as a financial crime analyst specialising in money‑laundering detection. 

The night he became the ‘skateboard hero’

Ignacio, a skateboarder returning home from a night of skating on 3 June 2017, was attacked by the London Bridge attackers. Guillermo thought they had seen a fight, but then realised that a female was being stabbed. Ignacio immediately intervened, using his board to strike the attacker.
Then he tried to stop a second terrorist from attacking a policeman. Third attacker stabbed twice in his back and he died. Later, a committee of awards concluded that the actions of his team “undoubtedly saved more lives”.

Around the World: Awards and Tributes

Spain recognized his outstanding service by awarding him the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit. King Felipe VI paid him tribute during a visit to London.
Queen Elizabeth II awarded the George Medal to his parents at Buckingham Palace in October 2018. Ignacio’s actions were lauded in the citation, which noted that he knowingly confronted attackers armed knives while protecting others despite their danger.

His parents donated their skateboards to the Foundation of Victims of Terrorism in hopes that he would inspire other young people. In Las Rozas, his former school was renamed in his honour, a three‑minute silence was held in the Plaza Mayor, and a large skateboarding rally took place. Musicals have been created to tell his story Skate Hero This documentary is a must-see! El Abogado.

Cancelada: Estepona’s new tribute

Estepona opened a newly renovated sport area in Cancelada on May 23, naming it Ignacio Echeverria. Located on Avenida de Las Palmeras, the area now includes a calisthenics park, two petanque courts and a vandal‑proof table tennis table constructed from galvanised and stainless steel.

Festivities featured a pétanque match, a CrossFit exhibition and a calisthenics demonstration. A plaque was presented at 1.30pm. This was followed by a paella and skateboarding demonstration. 

Ignacio’s father Joaquin attended, along with the British Vice‑Consul in Malaga, Miriam Perez.
Estepona, Spain has also added its name to the skate parks that bear Ignacio Echeverria’s name. This man’s courage on June 12th is still remembered.