Three : HK Pro Skaters
Friday, 16th July, 2010 | No Comments »This month we’ve rekindled our closeted love for skateboarding which was put aside for numerous drone reasons that don’t call for the opportunity to flip and bail. Maybe you’ve never tried but have watched from the wayside or enjoyed a razz on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (before it inexplicably became about running and driving cars). Either way, there’s a healthy skate scene in our city and we’ve tallied Hong Kong’s best skaters to ask them why they do it, where they do it and if dogs should do it.
1. NIGEL ONG
What got you into skating?
Looking cool enough to attract girls.
How long have you been skating?
For 13 years.
Do you do any other extreme sports?
I play Bejewel Blitz.
What/where is your favourite skate park?
Any street.
How do you deal with the pressure to perform?
I usually give up when there is pressure.
What’s the hardest trick you’ve pulled off?
A 360 flip.
Any broken bones?
My wrist and torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament – it’s in the knee joint.)
What deck brand do you currently skate on?
8FIVE2 X Habitat
What’s Hong Kong’s skating scene like, described in a sentence?
Whatever!
Are people trying to change the scene for the better?
Yes.
Any comments on the government’s take on skating in Hong Kong?
We should ‘起 錨’! (To weigh anchor, by Donald.)
What are you listening to right now?
Wind from the hair dryer.
When you’re not tearing up concrete, what do you do for fun?
I play some Pink Floyd songs.
Would you play H.O.R.S.E with us if you used a real board and we used a finger board?
I will let my boy do it.
Same question as above but this time we would use a white board.
Then I have to do it myself.
Do you think that infamous skating bulldog knows what he’s actually doing? (Keeping in mind he smiles as he skates…)
Hell Yeah! Watch it and you will agree with me. He can do turning, which is unbelievable.
Would you recommend we at Brouhaha fulfill our curiosity of ollieing barefoot?
No, curiosity is a reason for living; it’s not a good idea to take it away.
2. WARREN STUART
What got you into skating?
It was the cool pics that I saw in Transworld Skate magazine back in the 80s.
How long have you been skating?
For over 20 years.
Do you do any other extreme sports?
Nope.
What/where is your favourite skate park?
Mei Foo.
How do you deal with the pressure to perform?
I try not to freak out. I just go out and do my thing and have fun.
What’s the hardest trick you’ve pulled off?
I can’t remember, I don’t push myself that hard anymore.
Any broken bones?
Fractured wrists and a broken ankle.
What deck do you currently use?
8FIVE2 X Habitat deck.
Sum up the Hong Kong skate scene in a sentence.
The HK skate scene’s got pride and history. There’s lots of old guys keeping it going today as well as new kids getting into it.
Are people trying to change the scene for the better?
Hopefully!
Any comments on the government’s take on skating in Hong Kong?
I think they recognise this as a popular youth sport but also see it as a nuisance.
What are you listening to right now?
Nothing…
When you’re not tearing up concrete, what do you do for fun?
I shoot photos and hang out with friends.
Would you play H.O.R.S.E with us if you used a real board and we used a finger board?
You mean S.K.A.T.E. – sure, there are some tricks finger boarders can’t do.
Same question as above but this time we would use a white board.
Are you serious?
Do you think that infamous skating bulldog knows what he’s actually doing? (Keeping in mind he smiles as he skates…)
Watching that video, he knows how to control his direction and turn the board. So yes, he knows.
Would you recommend we at Brouhaha fulfill our curiosity of ollieing barefoot?
Try it. Then man up and take it one step up by trying kickflips barefoot. Tell me how it goes. I know someone who tre-flipped on a miniramp barefoot – unscathed.
3. PIET GUILFOYLE
What got you into skating?
Seeing other kids skating, friends skating and having fun with skating.
How long have you been skating?
On and off since I was five, I’ve always been around a skateboard.
Do you do any other extreme sports?
No.
What/where is your favourite skate park?
Manly bowl, Sydney, Australia.
How do you deal with the pressure to perform?
I just have fun and I don’t take it too seriously.
What’s the hardest trick you’ve pulled off?
Everything is hard.
Any broken bones?
Not yet…
What deck brand do you currently skate on?
8FIVE2 X Habitat Collabo and 8FIVE2 Fiber-ops Collabo.
What’s Hong Kong’s skating scene like, described in a sentence?
Friendly and fun, small, tight knit community, but security SUCKKSSS.
Are people trying to change the scene for the better?
I believe the recent construction of new 100% concrete, skater-designed parks are an extremely good change for the HK skate scene. Brian at 8FIVE2 and Warren are always supporting skateboarding and skateboarders in HK – trying to get parks built and organise events.
Any comments on the government’s take on skating in Hong Kong?
I think they should chill out on all these rules.
What are you listening to right now?
Nothing right now, but The Smiths always go down a treat.
When you’re not tearing up concrete, what do you do for fun?
Watch videos of people tearing up concrete, work at 8FIVE2, spend time with my girlfriend, eat food and hang with homies.
Would you play H.O.R.S.E with us if you used a real board and we used a finger board?
You mean S.K.A.T.E? Sure why not.
Same question as above but this time we would use a white board.
White board?
Do you think that infamous skating bulldog knows what he’s actually doing? (Keeping in mind he smiles as he skates…)
Yeah, he’s having fun. He doesn’t call it skateboarding though, that’s what it’s all about.
Would you recommend we at Brouhaha fulfill our curiosity of ollieing barefoot?
Do it, it’s fun, the more board feel the better.
Words: Alex Lendrum
![by [K]elbin Lei](http://www.brouhaha.com.hk/images/iotw/13/september-ends-200.jpg)
