I love the positivity of the term gender euphoria and think it’s as important to talk about the ways that we can feel good and comfortable as it is to talk about what can affect us negatively. As a non-binary skater I want to share the ways in which skating has helped me to feel less ashamed about my gender and experience ‘gender euphoria.’
I started skating around 3 years ago, kind of by chance. I picked up a board in a charity shop and went along to a Doyenne (@doyenneskateboards) beginners session. Although I had come across the concept of non-binary genders I had put off engaging with the idea or talking to people about it for a long time. Skating has been an unbelievable tool for exploring my gender, and as my confidence on the board has grown, so has my confidence in myself. I still have a lot to learn with both of these things, but skating has been a catalyst for me in beginning to embrace my gender unapologetically, and to think more about aspects of myself I had pushed away and minimized for a really long time.
Although there are varying definitions and experiences of gender euphoria, the first I heard of the term was through Meg-John Barker, who said:
‘For me, gender euphoria has primarily occurred in moments when I have viscerally reclaimed some of those lost – or disowned – selves which I mostly left behind in my childhood and teenage years.’
I love this description and it resonates with my experiences so well. With adulthood comes a fear and embarrassment around falling and failing, and an encouragement to move away from physical or dangerous sports generally (especially for those assigned female at birth). A huge part of the appeal of skating for me, and many other people, is that it reconnects me with a childhood that I was very much encouraged to leave behind. I was a pretty typical ‘tomboy’ and loved extreme sports generally, but when starting high school I quickly realised my life was going to be hard if I continued to express certain parts of myself. I became pretty good at performing femininity and ‘normality’, and was ashamed to acknowledge or talk about the ‘tomboy’ part of myself that had existed. It was only when I started skating in my mid 20’s that I engaged with these memories again and realised how sad it was that I’d denied so much joy from myself for so long.
Reconnecting to things I loved and wanted as a kid, like skating, and sports generally, has been a euphoric experience and helped me to pay more attention to what experiences actually make me feel good and bad. This might sound strange but I think I honestly stopped paying attention to this as a teen and focused on managing other people’s happiness, comfort and expectations, as a way of survival. Starting skating was like a huge act of self love, because I was choosing to do something that made me feel happy, regardless of other people’s confusion, discomfort or disapproval. It feels like I’m reversing the damage done as a teenager, where I gave up so many things in order to please other people.
This act of self love has in turn, given me the confidence to begin expressing other parts of myself unashamedly, even if it hasn’t always been met with positivity or enthusiasm from others. Skating has basically taught me to care less about what people think, and caring less is crucial to survival as a gender non-comforming person.
More recently, I’ve also been thinking about the ways that I feel and fit into the dominant skate ‘scene’ in Glasgow. I’ve realised that to be accepted and mostly unquestioned in such a typically masculine environment is a big part of the appeal and euphoria for me. To be somewhere where my masculinity works in my favour is a welcome antidote to existing in wider society where I have often been discouraged or punished for expressing masculinity.
Unfortunately I think the reasons that I feel so euphoric about the experience of fitting in to a masculine environment might also be the reason many more feminine people feel unable to take part. My ability to take up this space is influenced by both my masculinity and the fact that I am now skating at a level deemed ‘good enough’ by others, and these are privileges a lot of cis male skaters need to become more aware of. Nonetheless, for me skating has been an amazing space for me to explore masculinity fairly safely and openly.
Although in many ways I feel accepted in the mainstream scene in Glasgow, there is always an equal awareness of the ways in which I don’t fit. Seeing videos of myself skating often makes me cringe at my body and the disparity between how I feel while skating vs how I look while skating. When I’m skating I feel so powerful and strong, and kind of imagine myself to be no different to any of the guys there. But when I see videos I kind of have to face the fact that this is not how I’m seen by others. This is why having access to a community of non-conventional skaters is so important. It helps in recharging and reminding myself that all kinds of people can skate and look cool as fuck while doing it. It reminds me that my existence in these spaces as someone who looks different is a powerful thing and I hope that other people might see me and feel more able to take part as well.
We caught up with Rianne Evans to see how the past year has been for her, and to hear the story behind the ride on 50-50 shot featured on the cover of Vague Skate Mag’s 20th Issue.
Let’s first get the introductions out of the way – you’ve been skating now for more than a decade now, where are you currently based, is there anything else you would want the readers to know?
I am 28 this year – so I will be a half lifer, having skated for 14 years. I have just moved to Bristol about 3 months ago, mainly for skating. I was living with my mum for a year but it was time for a change of scene. Now I’m enjoying living here, trying to make friends and learning to skate all the gnarly skateparks.
So, the last year and a bit has been pretty mad, how has it impacted you and your skating?
It feels like its kind of now getting back to normal, because it’s a big city (Bristol) so the police here don’t seem to bother us as much – in the sense like if you’re skating, that’s fine, but if you’re not then they ask you to leave. It’s been pretty sound. But when I was living in Bournemouth during the lockdown the past year – it has been pretty brutal. The police have been coming to the skateparks and kicking us all out, even if you go to the carpark – they kick you out of there.
I feel like I’ve skated quite a bit still but definitely less – seeing as I’ve been working throughout the whole lockdown, I haven’t really had that “break” like others have had haha – like oh lockdown! I have all this time doing art and writing poems – I want to write a poem.
What’s your thoughts on how the skateboarding scene is evolving and changing? Have you noticed any significant trends?
Well, the “female” trend has definitely changed over the last 10 years and even more so over the last 5 years. I feel like it has been doubling every year – that’s one of the things that’s been the biggest change. When I first started, the only girl would be in a Thrasher magazine and she would be sexualised on an advert or something – so it’s nice now that we can all open up a skate magazine and see a female skateboarding.
Other than that, I think skateboarding has changed quite a bit in the sense that its not so much about “go big or go home” anymore, it used to be big handrails, big stair sets – my housemate used to be sponsored by Vans and he was showing me footage of him at the age of 16 and it was just insane. He was just throwing himself down huge stuff – but nowadays it seems as if its more Instagram based, so people are more into the whole tech-ledge skaters, tech-flat land, things that seem quick and easier to film.
You ride for Polar Skate Co., Nike SB, Rollersnakes, Spitfire Wheels, Independent Trucks, Get Lesta – what’s the best thing about riding for some of the coolest and most well-established companies in skating?
Because these companies are well-established, I feel like those in the UK who work in distribution and the business side of skateboarding, they perhaps see me more as credible skateboarder because I have these bigger brands supporting me – which is always nice.
Congrats on the cover of Vague Skate mag issue 20! It was so sick, we were all stoked to see it. What’s the story behind the picture?
Thank you! Yeah, I had no idea it was happening so that was really nice of them.
So, I got a train to Worcester and I was picked up by Rob (@whinstonphoto) at about 5pm and we honestly went to 5 different cities in 5 hours and I didn’t get back to Worcester until about midnight. This is how mad the Midlands are to skate in – the fact that you can go to 5 different cities and skate 5 different spots all in 5 hours, it’s just mental.
The last spot we went to was that rail spot (the picture on the cover of Vague Mag) – which was in Wolverhampton. It was quite late – about 10 pm, the roads were empty and so it was a perfect time to do it. The first one I did, I went way too fast and slid back and I hit my back on the rail and I was so scared to do it again but (haha you can write this in) after that I rolled onto the rail and Rob held my hand to make sure I was alright for a few tries and I would jump off the end. Then eventually I felt like yeah actually I’ve got it – then I did it. But he definitely supported me while I took my babysteps!
That’s super refreshing to hear, because when looking at a photo or watching a skate part, the observers don’t realise what goes on behind the scenes
Yeah, it’s a bit embarrassing but I think it’s important for younger skaters to know that it’s ok to take whatever measures you need and it’s ok to rely on your mates for support.
What made you think to do this trick (the ride on 50-50 was so sick!!) – what was your thought process and how did it feel doing it? And if you’ll let us in on the secret, how many tries did it take?
I didn’t think of the spot – it was actually Cal (from Get Lesta) who had it in mind for a while and I’d actually driven past it a few times in the day time and I was like “Nah are you joking? I’m not going to do that, that’s nuts!” and then Rob was like “I’ve got this roll-on rail”. I thought it was a different one then we went there, it was the same one but because it was night time it was so much easier. But yeah, I didn’t choose the spot, usually Cal and Rob choose all the spots for me because I don’t know the area that well.
I gave it one go and ate shit then I had two or three go’s of him holding my hand and then I just went and did it. But after I did it once, I could do it every go and I think I did it about 30 times to get the nice photo.
To begin with, the mental process – there was a fat drop on the other side where I was pushing off, which was a bit scary. So, what I had to do was make sure my board was fully aligned up to the rail – that was the big thing in my head and I kept having to make sure it was all aligned and I would put my foot on the board and think “It’s good it’s good it’s good.” It would take me around 30 seconds to a minute each go to get mentally prepared to push.
You have been featured in other mags before, how does it feel being on the cover now?
Yeah, I was uh hah yeah, wordless. They told me they were only going to put it in the gallery section, so when Rob (the photographer) and I both found out, we were actually gobsmacked. The thing is, Vague told Rob when we were shooting the interview (for Vague previous issue) – if Rianne gets a gnarly enough trick, we will give her the cover. So, when I didn’t get the cover of the magazine I had the interview in, in my head I felt as if I didn’t do anything good enough and felt a bit disappointed in myself. Then when the next issue came out and I was on the cover, I was over the moon. I felt better because it removed the previously negative thoughts I’d had about myself, thinking I hadn’t worked hard enough, when in fact I did actually work quite hard.
Did you have any choice in the matter on the design or photo?
None whatsoever, Rob sent me 3 photos he liked which were all quite similar and Vague just chose one. There was one I kind of liked more because it had these funky lights where Rob had done something with the flash but someone else pointed out that my arm was in a bit of an odd position so that’s why they went for the other one.
I also didn’t have any say in the artwork, but I would like to mention that Chloé (@chloyeah_suzzies), who is another girl skater, did the artwork that is around the photo on the cover of the 20th Issue. It’s nice that they have used a female skateboarders artwork with a female skateboarder on the cover. It’s very much go girl!
The first photo (far left) was the photo with the “funky lights”, photo in the middle was one of the photos submitted for selection and the photo on the right was chosen as the cover of Vague Skate mag issue 20.
It’s good that girls are being represented however it must be sometimes difficult with this label as “girl” skateboarder instead of just skateboarder.
Yeah, I have tried to refrain from that term (girl skateboarder) nowadays, but it’s still hard. I’ve never really minded about the “label” but that’s probably because I started skateboarding way before that conversation even started. There weren’t that many girl skateboarders when I started so it seemed quite a normal thing as a society to separate it and be like – “you’re a female skateboarder” because in most cases you would be the only one for miles, so it kinda just made sense at the time
You were one of the forerunners who paved a path for a lot of the currently younger generation of girls who have started skating and seeing people such as yourself, being represented by these big skate magazines and brands, makes it more relatable.
I think it also gives women more drive to learn and progress, because it shows that we can actually can get sponsored, we can make money through skateboarding, we can get hooked up (sponsorship) now. Whereas in the past, me, Danni, Helena Long and other girls skating at that time – we all started at similar times I guess – there wasn’t one single girl really in the scene who was properly sponsored or supported by any of the big brands or even opportunity to be. So, there wasn’t much drive in that sense (to get sponsored). I know skateboarding should be for fun, but you see it with the boys as well, if they feel like they’ve got some opportunities – they definitely buck up their game.
I’d like to mention how Danni Gallacher (founder of Girl Skate UK) – is the reason why the UK female skate scene has exploded like it has. If it wasn’t for her, if it wasn’t for Girl Skate UK putting on all these events etc, the girls’ community would not be what it is. She is an absolute legend. These sorts of platforms bring people together – you’ve invited me to Scotland to skate your mini ramp haha! It’s just stuff like that, you can visit around the country, stay with different people – get to see way more of the world through skateboarding.
Thank you, and I totally agree! Through these events and social media platforms people can connect with others who they may not usually meet! Going back to you and your skating, what would you say your favourite trick is?
That’s a hard one. My favourite trick has got to be a May Day (50 Grind fakie) really, doesn’t it, because it’s the trick I do all the time. I’m getting known for it now.
May Day Grind
Would you say that you prefer transition to street?
Haha transition a hundred percent.
And do you have a favourite skate spot or skate park?
I’d say my favourite skate spot in Bristol would be Dean Lane and my favourite skate spot of all time is Spotter DIY in Barcelona.
Front tail over the love seat at Spotter DIY in Barcelona
Back blunt at Dean Lane Skye Park
Have you got any other tricks or spots in mind for future videos or photographs? What’s next?
I’m filming a part at the moment for Get Letsa – I’ve been filming that over last lockdown but it’s been pushed back because of all the lockdowns, it will hopefully be released either before Christmas or January. But I’ve basically been going around spots in the Midlands with Cal for that. To be honest, I have rinsed all the spots so much now that I think he has to put his head together for me to find some new ones.
There is one spot in London – a ride on 5050 – there’s like a 6ft drop at the end, but I really want to go and do that at some point. I’ve been speaking to Rob and Cal about filming or getting a photo there. It just depends on when we can find a dry weekend to go to London and also, I might get there and just look at it and cry so who knows.
Yeah, sometimes you need to be in the right mindset, you get to a spot and you’re not feeling it
For sure, I’m that person all over. Usually, the boys have to bully me into trying it in the first place.
Looking forward, with lockdown coming to an end (we hope!) are there any trips planned?
I haven’t got anything in the works at the moment because obviously its just a bit too dodgy to book, but I really want to get myself out to Madrid ASAP. I have a friend living out there that I’ve been friends with for about 10 years and haven’t seen him in ages. Also a few of my friends out there (some who skate and some who don’t) also know each other so it would be cool to get a big group together. If I did go over to Madrid, I’d also have to jump on over to Barcelona as well – so I guess it would be Spain really.
Before lockdown I did want to go to Vancouver, but that never happened. But it’s definitely in my head at some point, I’m not planning any travel at the moment
If there is one place you could go visit right now, where would it be and why?
Vancouver would be the one, that’s probably because out of the places I want to travel – it’s the most expensive and furthest one to go to. It just looks insane – even to chill, they all go to lakes – it just looks so nice! There is nature and also a massive city, best of both worlds.
Yeah, Vancouver also has a sick skate scene. What inspires you most to skate?
I’ve gotta say it’s your homies – you see your mates getting a trick they’ve been trying for ages, or your mate just generally shredding and having a good day gets you hyped up and you’re like “I wanna skate too! I want to skate with you! I want to try that trick with you!” It’s definitely community that got me skating in the first place and has kept me skating for so long.
I agree, it seems to be the reason why most people skate. People don’t start skating to be sponsored, skateboarding starts from the ground up, it’s all about your skate fam.
Yeah, and I think what’s nice about the UK compared to the US is that we have less option of “making it”. We generally skate for fun a lot more and you can see the skateboarding here is way more creative and fun and having a laugh. Then you look at the States, there seems to be a lot of people that go to the skatepark to “train” and I’m so glad that the UK doesn’t have those sorts of vibes. No people really in the UK are like “I’m going t skate for my career and earn all my money in skateboarding” the option just aint there.
I think that’s why UK skateboarding is so interesting to watch, because people have had to be creative – because our weather and spots are not “made” for skateboarding. In California you have beautiful parks and glorious weather, whereas in the UK we have gnarly spots and we have to go out and get them when it’s not raining.
Even our streets – we can’t push down them or around so fast, with our rough ground. But yeah, people here seem to skate to have a good time, there isn’t ever a competition in the UK either. Like between skaters, it’s not competitive.
When you skate, do you ever get the fear and if so – do you have a process or method in battling it?
I definitely get the fear, for sure – one of my process would just be to have a beer (don’t know if we should be recommending that haha but it’s a great confidence booster at times!) To be honest though, if I am scared of something, I do what I did with Rob and that rail – it’s all baby steps for me. Either breaking the trick down into small sections or building up to it – like when I was learning to drop in for the first time, at my local skatepark there was a 4ft that ran into a 6ft with a bank in between. I would move my board slowly from the 4ft to the 6ft so I was dropping in slightly bigger each time and ever since I’ve started skating, I’ve called it “baby steps” because I’d break everything down into little steps to learn it. If that makes any sense at all.
It makes complete sense and a lot of skaters have probably also experienced something similar. It can be quite daunting when you first see the biggest obstacles and think how am I ever going to do that, and like you said – it’s important to take those steps to build up your ability and confidence.
I also think it’s important to mention that sometimes there isn’t the option for baby steps, sometimes it is just a “send it” trick, in which case – if I am too much in my own head, I don’t do it because I’ve skated for that amount of time and I know myself now – I know when I am not going to commit fully and I know when I am going to hurt myself. On days when I’m feeling like that, I won’t do it and then on other days – it’s just one of those things where you’ve got to send it. You know you’re going to bail once and it’s probably not going to be that bad and after that one bail, you will be alright. You’ve just got to get that one slam out of the way just so you know you took it and didn’t die. You’re just like “I’m alright, I’m still alive.”
Haha! I will knock on wood for us both. When you first started getting confident, did you ever think things like “I have to send it, I have to do it” then as you got more experienced you learn your own limits, and just think “nah, I’m going to walk away from this one today – I’ll come back but today is not the day”?
Yeah, yeah definitely because I’ve had a few times before where I’ve “sent it” and I have eaten a lot a lot of shit. In some instances, I would be out of skateboarding for a week or two afterwards and sometimes it’s not worth it. It’s better just to say no that day and be able to skate the next day.
I can totally relate; I feel like I am getting on in years too so I feel the need for self-preservation – do you have any ways that either keep yourself fit and healthy or help with injuries?
Not really, I need to start getting better at the injury healing processes. I really want to get resistance bands for my ankles. I’ve heard they are really good even if you’re not injured. They stretch out your ankles – especially if you’re a beginner, when you first start skating, your ankles aren’t used to those motions. And if you want to learn to switch flip, I’ve heard they are really good for that also, as it strengthens your switch ankle. So, I will probably get the resistance bands.
But in general, I try to eat healthy but that’s only because I drink so much beer (hahaha) so it’s like eat healthy so I don’t out on loads of weight from the amount of beer I drink.
Haha another thing I can relate to. But also, we are going outdoors and skating in the fresh air, so it must balance it out somewhat!
And finally, as a role model to a lot of young (and older) skaters, are there any last words of wisdom you would like to impart?
Oh, that’s a tough one, I don’t want to come across as cringey or anything but – skate for yourself, skate to have fun and try to make as many friends as you can through skateboarding. Talk to as many people you can at the skatepark because it’s the community that is the best thing about skateboarding and it’s the people there that will help you improve. And the last thing I would say is share your knowledge with the younger kids, once you’ve made your friends and have got comfortable on a skateboard – help those who are starting off, support the younger ones because just because now you can hold your own at the skatepark or on a skateboard, don’t forget that you were also a beginner. Go up to them and explain how the skatepark works, be welcoming and basically just be a decent (bloody) human being.
On the 23rd April Keep Rolling Company’s (@keeprollingcompany) Womxn’s Night returned for the first session of 2021 at The Silver Building in Hackney, with a quarterpipe supplied by Clown Skateboards (@clown_skateboards).
If this video from the night is anything to judge by, the pop-up park proved a success! Get a taste of what was on offer with this footy filmed by our very own Kit Eaton-Kent (@kit.eek) – full to the brim with fun, supportive vibes, and good times. This video doesn’t disappoint, and is sure to make you wanna pick up your board and get out there!
We’re doing a bit of spring cleaning at the GSUK HQ and to make room for some lovely new products we have coming up soon, we are hosting a pretty epic sale for this weekend only!
Spend £15 and receive a massive 30% off your entire order with the code ‘SPRINGSALE’ 🌱🌻💕
We have tees, totes, art prints, sticker packs, pin badges and some CUTE AF stationary – check it all out HERE! 🛹💕
When Lucy Adams isn’t thinking or dreaming about skateboarding, she’s probably out skating.
From ditching swimming lessons to go skate as a kid, being the only girl at UK comps and getting hooked up by her first sponsor Three Sixty Clothing in 2001. To making a proper name for herself on the competition circuit and being the first pro for Lovenskate after being hailed “the most deserving on the team” – (Stu, Lovenskate), and the release of her first deck with them in 2017 which resulted in amazing board sales.
Inspiring and paving the way for women and girls within the skate scene, it’s about time the light was shined on Lucy Adams. Filmed between 2018 and 2020, including footage from 2000 onwards and personal interviews with Lucy’s loved ones, ‘A Metre of Air’ is a documentary and skate part that every skater and every girl / woman should watch.
Lucy receives a crazy amount of interview requests so I was super lucky to be able to catch up with her and talk about her life in skateboarding. If you haven’t watched the doc already, I suggest you do it now. BAFTA award winner, Andy Evans portrays Lucy in a way that’ll leave you a life long fan of her. It’ll also leave you feeling ready to shred.
bs 5050 – ‘A Metre of Air’
You’ve known Andy Evans for a while and have worked together before now, how did the idea to make this video come about?
I’ve known Andy for about 7 years and we’ve worked together on a couple of bits before. Bits for his video, Jenna’s (Selby) video, and my little section that came out with my pro board in 2017.
The idea for this part was put to us by a guy we both know, a mutual friend who does some work for Red Bull. He said there was a particular sort of series called ‘Out of Frame’ and this sort of idea might be something that they’d like and would run as a piece like that. Me and Andy had already talked about filming another section but our friend just said why don’t you film it as a longer piece as it’s an interesting story. So basically that’s kinda how we got started. We started filming the skateboarding first anyway and provided Andy with some of the archive. It wasn’t until quite far in when he suggested doing some interviews with people.
There were talks of the documentary coming out on different platforms, how did you end up linking with Vague on this project?
A couple of platforms / brands said that they’d like to take it and were in support of it and then covid happened and what not, budgets got tightened and therefore it kind of fell by the way side and it was a bit disheartening, but I mean Reece at Vague approached me and said we’d love to see you film a part for us if you’d like to and I said funnily enough I’m sort of sitting on something. And so he was like if you don’t mind showing me I’ll have a look. Then he showed Guy and Hannah at Vague and they were so into it and were so supportive and said that they’d love to take it and do what they can to push it out so I was more than happy that someone was stoked on it. And I love Vague. I love the fact that the magazine is really pushing to be more diverse and featuring different skate communities.
Massive congrats for you and your wife becoming parents! Is the arrival of your baby the reason there was a little delay in ‘A Metre of Air’ coming out? And your decision to step down from your position as Chair of Skateboard England and Skateboard GB?
Thanks for your kind words about Sonny. His arrival wasn’t the reason that the documentary got delayed, but yes it was a huge part of the reason I stepped down as Chair. The role was really demanding and because it’s a voluntary role, to give all your spare time to something like that when you wanna go skateboarding and you wanna do other things too. Knowing that you’re gonna step into the hardest thing you’ve ever done within your personal, family life. I just wanted to give my all to being a parent and any sort of spare time I was gonna have after his arrival I wanted to make sure that I could skate and do the thing that I love. So yeah that was a massive part of the decision to step down. I would have liked to of seen it through to past Tokyo and through to the end of the funding bid that we were doing but it was just sort of another year too far. But I remain a strong supporter and have helped Skateboard GB still in developing their strategy and receive the funding that they just have from UK Sport to go through to the Paris cycle, so I really hope there’s more opportunities and that I can get involved, maybe in an employed capacity somewhere down the line.
Lucy Adams – ‘A Metre of Air’
Sport was a huge part of yours and your family’s life growing up, you must be grateful for your parents being so supportive, do you hope to pass on the same passion for sport to your child, particularly skateboarding?
Yeah absolutely, I mean my wife loves sport and psychical activity too. She’s a great crossfitter and an amazing weightlifter and I’m pretty sure Sonny will inherit her strength and our passion for being active. We both love the outdoors so he’s definitely going to be exposed to all of that, and hopefully he wants to take something up that gives him some really cool life skills and that he enjoys and he can do with friends. Yeah, hopefully it’s skating, hopefully he gets the bug!
When Crawley skatepark was built, you were told “don’t come back to the park unless you get a skateboard”. Do you think getting a bit of agro from dudes at the park, along with your determined and serious personality when it comes to skateboarding has helped in your progression and success throughout the last 20+ years?
Yeah, going to the skatepark and getting told to come back with a skateboard, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I do think that initial kind of banter was definitely prevalent at the skatepark at the time y’know? It definitely helped to make me more determined to carry on, and more than that it was being surrounded by people that were good at skateboarding, and that magic of seeing people doing tricks that I just thought were incredible. And that’s what made me more determined but seeing the attitude of those people learning those tricks as well, that rubs off on you and you think, yeah I wanna be here all day and go home with a bags of tricks that I didn’t think I could do that morning.
As well as your own achievements in skateboarding, you’ve massively paved the way for female skaters and girls wanting to play a part in the industry and community whilst being taken seriously. Is this something you hope the documentary will also help you continue to do, considering the number of videos like this, filmed over such a long time and so in-depth and personal is not exactly high right now?
Yeah I hope that the documentary has inspired more people, especially women and girls to go out and film a part and get in the streets. Definitely instagram and tiktok and short clips of what you done two minutes ago is very high right now, but yeah hopefully it’s inspired people to take the time and put something together that you’re really, really proud of. And it’s hard. It’s hard waiting and wanting something to just come out and for people to see it, but in the end when you see it come together in one piece like that it’s quite motivating, and yeah I hope it does make people within the industry look at women and take them more seriously in terms of what they might be able to bring to the party y’know. Our brands, our media, everything’s still heavily male dominated in terms of staffing and that sort of area, so it would be good if it did showcase the fact that there are women out there that can do those jobs. It would be great to start to see a gender balance in those organisations and places that definitely haven’t before.
Cannonball – ‘A Metre of Air’
You got a photo doing an air out the jumpbox in a local Crawley paper when you were a kid, and you’ve said airs and grabs are the best thing about skateboarding. What’s your go to trick when you’ve left the notorious, crusty, Horsham curb and have hit up the skatepark?
It kind of depends where I go. If there’s a chance to be able to go in the air somewhere, yeah, I’m gonna be doing that. If I go to Crawley I’m on that jumpbox. If I was to go to the Level I’m airing out of that bowl. But equally I love to do noseslides, noseslide on the ledge is something that I’ll always go straight to. I love boardslides of any kind of variation so yeah you’ll probably find me either at the flatbar, the ledge, or the priority would be to be flying in the air.
Rad song choice for this vid by the way! Is there a reason it was chosen and what’s your favourite song to skate to?
I think it was about two years or at least eighteen months ago that we were looking at the song, and at the beginning when we still thought it could be done by Red Bull we had to go through library music and music that was cleared and obviously that sort of thing. And originally Andy did edit it to quite a funky track, but when I was a kid growing up, you watch skate videos and the soundtrack was something that made it so much more, it just added to it. Videos like ‘RDS’ and ‘Chomp on This’ with Ja Rule, Guns n Roses, Warren G and Dr Dre. It was just so much cooler to just have that song that then you could play and listen to in your car on your way to skating and stuff. I just wanted a song that was really cool, and I listen to Magic FM a lot and Smooth FM and I think Magic do a good job of playing some funky old 80’s tunes sometimes and I’d heard that song quite often and I loved it. I just loved the feel of it and the upbeat, motivating, pushing sound that it gave. So we floated that about and at the time we looked into clearing it and it was gonna be really expensive to do it all properly and get the rights for it so I was a bit gutted and thought we’re never gonna be able to use it. Then I thought I don’t really care, I’m gonna save up money and I’m gonna pay for it. In the end it kind of worked out that we could use it in a way, I don’t know about Youtube and music rights but it seems to be doing alright so lets not tempt fate and get it taken down but yeah I love the tune. When I’m skating I mostly like to listen to hip hop and just tunes that are more upbeat. I’m also a massive fan of Guns n Roses and ACDC type rock, that kinda stuff too. Anything that’s loud, got a good beat and is passionate really.
Do you have any skate related plans in the near future? Have you got any trips lined up or work with Vans and Girls Get on Board when we’re eventually allowed back out in the world?
In terms of skateboarding, nothing at the moment, I think everybody is staying pretty reserved in the fact that it might not happen so can’t plan stuff too much yet. I’ve got a couple of family holidays planned to my actual paradise, Fuerteventura. That’s where I feel like I do my best skateboarding and have the most relaxing time so I’m really looking forward to that. And I have started filming for another project, a little VX project, so hopefully by the end of the year there’ll be another little part that I put together so that’ll be rad. And very soon I have got another board coming out on Lovenskate and I’m really, really stoked to say that I’ll be working with Lizzie Heath (@starbuttonsparks) on that design, so I am so happy that that’s gonna come out in the next month or so.
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