Category: Team Rider Bios

Born and raised where?
Netherlands

Current hometown (and best thing about it):
To be honest, I don’t have an apartment so it’s hard to tell what’s my current hometown. I would still consider Haarlem, Netherlands as my hometown since I work there sometimes, and most of my friends live there. When I’m back in the Netherlands I usually subrent an apartment in Haarlem which is an amazing old historical town close to Amsterdam. Haarlem is known for their great gastronomy, good restaurants, delicious coffee and nice bars. I love this place a lot because it’s not that big so you can walk around easily and everyone knows each other. 😉

When not skating, I’m…
Skydiving! I love to jump out of planes. It’s fun to see that there are so many similarities between skaters and skydivers, same crazy mindset, stupid ideas, and same vibe events. The only difference is that skydivers are rich! hahaha.
Also I love to work as a barista, drive my motorbike, hangout with friends, make cocktails, travel around, snowboard, and enjoy nature.

Languages spoken
Dutch, English, German and a bit of Spanish

Favorite skating disciplines and skate spots
I love racing and fast open road skating. I can’t tell you my favourite skate spot because I have too many! Every road has something special. I love the French Alps, California, Mexico, Tenerife, and Norway.

Favorite skaters to ride with
My Dutch homies Tom, Deen, and Bart. My boyfriend Oscar. The queen of freeriding Anna Pixner. My homie Luke Spud. My lil German brother Thies and many many more! I love to skate with everyone who isn’t scared of riding close to each other.

Sponsors
SEISMIC WHEELS! <3 You guys are the best and without Seismic I would never be able to race this much. Also Pantheon Longboards, Sickboardsshop, S1 helmets, Urethane Burners, Don’t Trip Trucks, BTR leathers are supporting me!

Favorite Seismic products
Seismic Alpha Plum

Skate heroes then and now
I started skating when Greener Pastures came out! So Patrick Switzer was def one of my skate heroes! Also Liam Morgan, James Kelly and the Longboard Girls Crew were my heroes. Big hero who did so much for the sport and had the biggest heart Josh Neuman. <3
Right now I’m surrounded by so many heroes but Ambroise is def on top of the list! Such a stylish and fast freerider which is from another level. Also Diego is a big hero for sure!

All-time best skate vids
Alpine Descents – Josh Neuman
Diego Poncelet on Ocean Spot

Favorite skate-day snack
Nuts, Oreo Cookies, Cliff Bars

Top artists or tracks on your current playlist
Kase – O, UB40, Mac Miller, A Tribe Called Quest, Dire Straits

Favorite quote
Skin grows back, your head doesn’t.
-Guy Martin

Most memorable achievement
Becoming World Champion in the Philippines.

Goals for the future
Make a documentary about downhill skateboarding and showcase it on a filmfestival. And be on the OPEN class podium at a competition.

Born and raised where?
Vancouver B.C

Current hometown (and best thing about it):
Still in Vancouver, best thing about it is the diversity of nature and skating.

When not skating, I’m…
When not skating, I’m mostly in school otherwise I’m working on my dirt bike and playing video games.

Languages spoken
English and French

Favorite skating disciplines and skate spots
Favourite discipline is faster freeride and the best run is Britannia or Krypto

Favorite skaters to ride with
Anyone on a wheel of similar grip level

Sponsors
Flatspot, Scythe

Favorite Seismic products
75.5mm Blackops Alphas

Skate heroes then and now
Kyle Martin, Dexter Manning, Zak Maytum, P Swiss

All-time best skate vids
Hot and Dangerous, 40oz of Fire, Who Dat Boi

Favorite skate-day snack
Granola bar and Banana

Top artists or tracks on your current playlist
Jedi Mind Tricks

Favorite quote
Speed and danger don’t always go together, but it’s proper fun when they do.
-Guy Martin

Most memorable achievement
Knox Mountain Dh 2023 1st in Juniors 4th in Opens

Goals for the future
World Championship

Born and raised where?
Leeds, U.K

Current hometown (and best thing about it):
Leeds, the best thing about it is I get to leave it once in a while! I’m joking of course, it’s a vibrant city with plenty going on, and a lot of good people doing good things.

When not skating, I’m…
I’m working at LS-TEN Skatepark, setting up community projects in disadvantaged areas to take skateboarding to more young people. I’m usually coaching here at the skatepark or heading into other organisations to deliver skateboarding sessions, ranging from mainstream schools to young offenders institutions. A vast majority of my time is spent finding ways to give back to skateboarding and the community through the charity I work for.

I have a keen interest in paleontology, so when I’m not working or skating you might find me whacking rocks with hammers to extract cool dead things. I also love writing music (or attempting to), creating artwork (for attempting to), and pursuing incredibly niche hobbies or interests which have zero practical use in today’s world.

Languages spoken
English, Spanish, a small amount of French and an even smaller amount of German.

Favorite skating disciplines and skate spots
I skate freestyle, and my favourite spot changes often! The versatility of freestyle is one of its strengths, so there’s a variety of places I skate and enjoy. I still head down to the local park where I started skating all those years ago, it’s in a scenic spot surrounding by some nice natural open spaces to walk, swim, or just hang out. The skatepark itself has never been great, but there’s plenty of open flat space.

I used to skate transition, and still do on occasion, but freestyle is definitely my passion.

Favorite skaters to ride with
Skating is almost always a solitary activity for me, but when I am skating with others it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite. each freestyler brings something unique to the table, providing endless opportunities to share ideas and new tricks.

Sponsors
Seismic, Moonshine Skateboards, Paris Truck Co.

Favorite Seismic products
Seismic Focus 95A all the way!

Skate heroes then and now
Heroes from then include Don Brown, Pierre Andre, Primo Desiderio and so many others.

My heroes now are probably too numerous to mention. There’s such an incredible talent pool to choose from in freestyle, and my favourite skaters change almost weekly. I’m inspired now by the young kids who are coming through, particularly out in the USA. They’re pushing themselves hard, and there’s a feeling of cameraderie among them which reminds me of when I first met other Freestylers. I think the freestyle is in good hands.

All-time best skate vids
Future Primitive, Rubbish Heap, and The End purely because it’s the first one I ever bought. It reminds me of the days when I was first getting into skating, when it was new and exciting. It’s still exciting now of course, but I’ll always remember the feeling when I was starting out.

Favorite skate-day snack
Probably some disgusting peanut-based energy bar. You know the ones where the peanuts get stuck in your throat and drive you mental all day?

Top artists or tracks on your current playlist
Leatherface are possibly the best band ever, everyone should stop writing songs because Frankie Stubbs already wrote all the good ones.
I’m into a real eclectic mix of music. Generally, it’s hardcore or punk featuring on the playlist but I also absolutely love Kate Bush, and I don’t care who knows it.

Favorite quote
“Some people die at age 25 and don’t get buried until they are 75”

Most memorable achievement
Taking 3rd place at the Euro Freestyle Championships in 2022, as this was the point where I proved to myself that I could compete at a high level after several years of finding competition incredibly difficult. This gave me the confidence boost I needed, and is something I worked incredibly hard for.
I was also awarded by my city for my services to the community in 2023, which I was incredibly proud of.

Goals for the future
Just to keep pushing freestyle forward, and hopefully grow the scene and create further opportunities for freestylers to take up space and be visible. I’d love to win a World Championship one day, so I’ll be putting the work in for that too.

To be honest, my main goal is just to keep enjoying the ride, keep sharing incredible experiences with friends, and to keep a hand in skateboarding by any means necessary.

Born and raised where?
Los Angeles, California

Current hometown (and best thing about it):
Asheville, North Carolina

When not skating, I’m…
Making art or cooking ✨

Languages spoken
English, Spanish

Favorite skating disciplines and skate spots
Downhill. Malibu, CA & the French Alps

Favorite skaters to ride with
My girls 💜

Sponsors
Rocket Longboards, Valkyrie Truck Co., Riptide Bushings

Favorite Seismic products
Elixir Urchins, Tantrums, Alphas

Skate heroes then and now
Grace Wong, Emily Pross, Alicia Fillback, Lyde Begue, Coooop, Oscar Archibaldo Rodriguez Escoin, Patrick Switzer, Tamara Prader, Elena Corrigall

Favorite skate-day snack
Bagels 👀

Favorite quote
Skate to skate another day ✨

Most memorable achievement
Getting 2nd in worldwide rankings ✨
Making team USA twice ✨
Winning a race in the rain 😂

Goals for the future
More art and smiles ✨

Born and raised where?
Derby, England

Current hometown (and best thing about it)
Tunbridge Wells. The best thing about it is that it’s close to London without being *in* London – I get to dip in, do fun city things and attend skate events, and then leave. 

When not skating, I’m…
Shooting, developing, and printing from film. I have my own darkroom; it keeps me sane. It also helps keep me poor; Leicas are a pricy addictionShooting, developing, and printing from film. I have my own darkroom; it keeps me sane. It also helps keep me poor; Leicas are a pricy addiction.

Languages spoken
English

Favorite skating disciplines and skate spots
Freestyle – i.e. flatland shortboard dancing – will always be my first love, and one of the best things about that is I can do it anywhere, so I don’t really have a favourite spot for that. But I also adore slalom (even though I don’t do it enough) and bank skating. As a result, one of my favourite spots in the world is a place we call the Secret Bank, which is made of bricks and is so steep it’s like hitting a wallride and trying to do tricks on it. Like the Iron Sheik would say, it “keeps you humble”.

Favorite skaters to ride with
I love all the Moonshine Skateboards crew, but I’ve got to give a special shout-out to Ikkei Nagao. I’ve never known anyone go as fast into big tricks as he does, and I love watching him skate. Outside of the Moonshine team, one of my favourite guys to ride with is Turi Zoltan. The guy is built like a tank and it’s always fun riding with him and exploring weird trick ideas. Some of the best sessions I’ve ever had have been with Turi at freestyle contests.

One last shout out has to go to Daniel Adam. He’s one of the nicest and most humble guys I’ve ever met through skateboarding, and I could watch him skate all day. Super funny dude, too.

Sponsors
Moonshine Skateboards, Seismic, Offset Skate Supply, Synopsis Bearings, Jimmy’z

Favorite Seismic products
Gotta be the 95a Focus! Best urethane in the business

Skate heroes then and now
Fun fact: it was actually Dan Gesmer, head honcho of Seismic, that got me into freestyle! By default, he’s one of my biggest influences and heroes, so I’m stoked to have represented Seismic for so long.

Other big influences: Pierre Andre, Don Brown, Darryl Grogan, Toshiaki Fujii… and any other freestyler who knew what rolling was and how fun going fast could be

.

All-time best skate vids
Marvelous 1 and 2. Japanese freestyle DVDs from the early 2000s. Look ’em up..

Favorite skate-day snack
Dried mango. The pure kind, without added sugar. It’s like fruit jerky. So good.

Top artists or tracks on your current playlist
I’m finally going to see the Notwist when they come over to England this year, so I’ve got their stuff on loop at the mo.

Most memorable achievement
I won the World Championship in 2017, but winning the Eurocana Reunion in Stockholm with a broken elbow in 2016 (with Per Welinder MCing!) was arguably a much cooler moment.

Goals for the future
Keep skating, keep figuring out weird variations on the original kickflip, and keep travelling the world with a board and a camera.

Born and raised where?
Born and raised in San Diego, California to two French parents. So I grew up between the two cultures.

Current hometown (and best thing about it)
San Diego. Good weather and good people. The hills arn’t too bad either.

When not skating, I’m…
Making sandwiches and serving food for the people of La Jolla…. but I’m probably skating

Languages spoken
French, English, and an attempt at Spanish

Favorite skating disciplines and skate spots
Downhill racing and a little fast freeride during the offseason. Most of the time i’m skating at blacks after work. I consider myself a local in Malibu and Santa Barbara as well, even tho that’s kinda cheating.

Favorite skaters to ride with
The classic squad these days is Owen Fox, Bob Moore, and Patty Welsh.

Sponsors
Seismic, Madrid Skateboards and Girard Gourmet

Favorite Seismic products
The new stuffff

Skate heroes then and now
Always admired AJ Haiby’s style. Now my heros are everyone who pushes me on the race track. Lots of sick skaters to appreciate.

All-time best skate vids
Second Nature and anything from Tom Flinchbaugh

Favorite skate-day snack
Some good Kombucha, a bell pepper and some Tuna Tons

Top artists or tracks on your current playlist
Khruangbin, Beach House, and anything like Berlioz

Favorite quote
Bomb Hills Not Countries -GX1000
Gotta Eat Shit to Know Shit -Haz
Sucks to Suck – Dangle

Most memorable achievement
3rd Place at World Skate World Championships in the Philippines or 1st at the Thailand Tropical International Race

Goals for the future
Continue growing this beautiful sport.

Born and raised where?
Kentucky and Michigan.

Current hometown (and best thing about it)
Colorado since 2009. Nothing better than high speeds and high elevation!

When not skating, I’m…
Eating, playing video games and board games, snowboarding, shooting, fishing.

Languages spoken
English.

Favorite skating disciplines and skate spots
Downhill RACING! Some of the most amazing roads are in the Rocky Mountains, Dolomites, Alps, Pyrenees, and Lesotho.

Favorite skaters to ride with
Always having the HOTTEST laps with Adam Persson, Daina Banks, and Chase Hiller.

Sponsors
Seismic Skate and Aera Trucks.

Favorite Seismic products
80.5mm ALPHA wheels
Tekton bearings
Lokton griptape
Seismic Race pucks

Skate heroes then and now
Scott Smith, K-Rimes, P-Swiss, Sebastian Hertler, and AJ Haiby.

All-time best skate vids
Sector 9: Second Nature
Push Culture: Pants Party

Coolest superhero
All Might

Coolest superpower
Knowing every language.

Best three pizza toppings
Pineapple and jalapeño is the superior flavor combo!

Favorite skate-day snack
AVOCADO!

Top artists or tracks on your current playlist
Earthgang, Outkast, The Pixies, Fear Before, Curtis Mayfield

Favorite quote
“If it feels like you’re on rails, you’re going too slow!”

Goals for the future
Travel the world to eat and skate in amazing places!

If you had three wishes
1. End world hunger.
2. Save the environment.
3. Binging on doughnuts would have no negative consequences.