Tell us a bit about yourself….
I am 22 and have been skating hills for the past four years, but I’ve been street skating for nine years. I watched a lot of videos of skating as I was growing up, and I was hooked. Travellingat fifty or sixty miles an hour down hill in some European destinations is exciting; it’s similar to gravity sports, like snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking.
I am a now a student in Falmouth and, as you can imagine, the hills in Cornwall are challenging. I also really enjoy windsurfing, surfing, cross country running, playing bass and banjo. For my skating I am sponsored by Slide Perfect.
You always seen slam videos of downhill, where should people watch out and any pointers for staying space to people starting to give it a go?
Key equipment are knee pads, helmet, skate shoes and most importantly specialist gloves that enable you to manage a wipeout. Learning how to fall is critical. Another element is to have a team of spotters with walketalkies so you know the road is safe and clear!
How do you stop or fall?
You slide the board sideways just like on a snowboard. The friction from the wheels creates controlled breaking power. We use slide gloves – these are basically leather gloves with a plastic ‘puck’ attached. This can be used as an extra balance point so that sliding is as safe and controlled as possible.
Have you travelled away and tried it elsewhere at all?
There are many organised events. It’s big in Europe so best places I have been to is Portugal & Greece but also some great spots in Cornwall, North Wales, Dartmore have some steep hills. I am heading to the French Alps later this summer to a famous road called Col d’izoard, one of the most famous roads for hill skaters and cyclists.
What’s your setup
Deck: Madrid Motorist (35” single kick)
Trucks: Aera K5 Precision
Wheels: Slideperfect Merlins
Footstop: Riptide slab
Gloves: Ritalin Rizla (friend’s own brand)
Helmet: S1 lifer
– I’m also testing out an 800g weight behind front truck
What did you want to be as a kid?
Lifeboat Helmsman
Favourite place you’ve visited?
Meteora, Greece
Favourite drink?
Stinky Bay. I live in L’Etacq afterall, but it is a genuinely great beer!
What’s your mid-skate snack go-to? Cashew Nuts
Advice for would-be downhillers?
Learn to fall and be safe! Be open to all forms of skateboarding. Enjoy – feel free to reach out if you’re interested in learning.
@xanderdawes
The photography on these pages was submitted by Barney De La Cloche. Here’s what he had to say about the project:
“Observation and the act of capturing the essence of life have always led me down a curious path—one that challenges me to see if I can break through the glass ceiling of fear, worry, and doubt. Skating and photographing with Xander has shifted my perspective on how far we can push ourselves to finesse a form, and how the lessons learned—through both failure and success—can be put into motion every day, no matter what life throws at us. Capturing downhill skating feels like a reflection of the human spirit: the right effort, a sense of well-being cultivated from wholesome work, and the deep satisfaction that comes through dedication”.
@apexiso
