To Pack or Not to Pack

The pre-trip pack. For some seasoned travelers, it’s performed like a sacred ritual, days in advance to ensure they’re prepared to survive any curveball travel throws their way. For others, it’s a last-ditch effort the night before attempting to have enough clean underwear to survive their holiday, only if they make it to the airport on time. Leaving us with the million-dollar question, what should you bring on your journey around the world?

Having done research on every item to pack when preparing for 12+ months on the road, I came across the usual travel essentials. Universal outlet adaptors, moisture-wicking t-shirts, packable towels, earplugs, sleeping masks, packing cubes and the list goes on. Not once did I come across a skateboard. I guess none of those lists were written by the 10+ million skateboarders around the world. Unless you skate, nobody in their right mind would ever think twice about bringing a skateboard on a trip overseas. It doesn’t follow the minimalism concept by adding an extra 10 pounds on your back and furthermore, it’s awkward to carry since most packs aren’t built to hold a 32-inch long piece of wood with metal trucks and wheels. It’s safe to say when it comes to planning for a trip around the world, one of the last things you’ll think to bring is a skateboard. One thing is for certain though, haters are gonna hate and skaters are gonna skate.

As I stared at my pack in one corner of my room and my board in the other, all I could think about were the opportunities that may present themselves if the board came with me. Much like the trip itself, I felt the positives outweigh the negatives and thought, I might regret if I didn’t bring it along for the adventure. In an attempt to resurrect a past passion of mine, I made the executive decision of traveling around the world with a skateboard. With all the downtime in between waiting for buses, taxis, and trains, the opportunity to seek out skate spots, and the ability to explore new cities on wheels, I knew I had to have a board in tow. But, what I didn’t know is that a simple toy would be used as a key to unlock the universal language of having fun.

The pure joy from kicking, pushing, and rolling is a feeling second to none. Strapping a skateboard to my back would turn out to be one of the single most rewarding things I could have ever packed on the bro’s journey around the globe.

For the past 15 years, snowboarding has played a huge role in my life. Before the trip, I lived and worked at a world-renowned ski resort in Vail, Colorado while managing one of the largest on-mountain snowboard shops in the world. Standing sideways on a board was leisure I was lucky enough to pursue daily. However, chasing summer on the road meant time away from the snow and would leave me yearning for a new creative outlet.

I soon realized snow will have to be replaced by concrete and waves. Skating would emerge as a tool to clear my mind, let off steam, challenge myself, and rediscover the learning process.

When I first added a skateboard to an already heavy backpack, (Pack lightly friends, no seriously, take with you half of what you originally packed) a few negative thoughts crept into my head. I thought, why the hell am I doing this I’m not even good, I probably won’t even have time to skate, and the dreaded “this might have been a terrible idea.” Then I really started to question my decision when we got to our first stop in Italy.

Rome presented less than ideal skating conditions. Cobbled streets, temps over 100 degrees, and hangovers. Then, there was Sicily where I was yelled at by an old Italian woman from a window for being too noisy after almost being hit by a car. But fate would quickly change when we reached Vaiano Cremasco, a small province up North.

This was my first interaction with the skateboard as an outsider. Here, I was able to introduce a few youngsters to their first time on a board. They were so excited to see me skate by, I knew I had to stop. Intrigued, wide-eyed, and eager to try, this experience was as cool for me as it was for them. They all wanted a chance to get on board. The smiles and laughs we shared were priceless and this was only the tip of the iceberg for what was in store next. 

Exploring Cities & Skate Spots

Finding skate spots is always an adventure and they’re scattered all over the world. Each mission gave us a glimpse into the local skate culture and the diversity of skaters worldwide. We even found a hostel with its own skatepark, which quickly turned into one of our favorite places to stay in our travels.

The (now defunct due to covid) Green Hostel and skatepark was a tough one to leave! Without a skateboard, we would have never stayed here and met so many incredible people.

One of our down days in Prague led us to discover Letna Park and Stalin Plaza, one of the most famed DIY spots in the world. With an incredible view of the capital, a park we had no idea existed soon turned into one of our favorite places to hang in the city.

Conquering the streets of Berlin, Milan, Lima, Melbourne, or Cartagena, a skatepark was never too far away and we made it a mission to seek them out. Besides skating and enjoying the diversity of features, they were the place to kick it for a few hours and meet locals in a unique atmosphere. 

Whether it was pumping one of the many bowls in Bail or leaving a pair of skate shoes for another skater at Lenin Plaza in Hanoi, each memory is meaningful and tied to skating. All made it possible through the desire to ride. 

Meeting Locals & Skaters

When we arrive at a new location our first order of business is to drop the bags and hit the streets. Though it was late our first night in Ho Chi Minh City, we stuck to the plan and came across a plaza where local b-boys and skaters were chilling out. We proceeded to take a seat and it wasn’t long before we were invited over into the cipher.

Though they didn’t speak English and we didn’t speak Vietnamese, we connected over our love for hip hop music and skating, making us feel at home in Saigon. They encouraged us to come back the next night and the next 2 after that. Showing up with my board in hand, we sessioned the plaza and played countless games of S.K.A.T.E. We shared a few beers, and snacks, all while finding a way to communicate and express our excitement for each other’s culture. Teaching us a valuable travel lesson that you don’t necessarily need words to bond.

We even received haircuts from our new homie N-Rock who was a stylist at the local barbershop (he’ll bless you if you’re in Saigon and need a cut!). Becoming friends with locals is a powerful experience, leaving you with the feeling that you are a part of the city you’re visiting. All made possible because of a skateboard.

BROS TIP: DIY Skateparks is a global architecture of rebellion, synonymous with skateboarding and deeply engrained in skate culture. DIY is an acronym for do-it-yourself and DIY Skateparks are as old as the sport itself. Built with determination, hard work, and commitment by the skaters, DIY parks are built not knowing if they will stand the test of time from vandalism or local authorities.

While exploring La Paz we found Pura Pura, the highest DIY skatepark in the world. Within 5 minutes of skating here, you’re left gasping for air and ready to puke due to the low oxygen and high altitude. I looked on in awe as the local kids ran around with what seemed to be an endless amount of energy at 11,000 feet in elevation. Many of the kids cannot afford shoes let alone a skateboard.

As an outsider, I needed to share my board and attempted to speak Spanish with them. They lit up with joy and we helped each other while sharing a teaching moment. They helped me with my Spanish and I let them use my board. Something I will never forget. A memorable, rewarding experience and a win for each of us, all made possible because of a skateboard.

Skating through Life

Skating has no borders and no matter where you find yourself in the world, there is a special connection in a shared passion. Traveling with a board taught me how skateboarding and traveling are similar in so many ways. Skating or on the road, you must be present and only concentrate on the now. Skateboarding, like traveling, has always taught me a lot about patience, persistence, never giving up, and mental toughness. Both teach you to adjust when a mistake arises and to keep trying when something doesn’t go your way. They teach you to adapt when things don’t go correctly and push you to step out of your comfort zone.

On the road or on your board, there’s a humbling feeling when you fall down and fail. Leaving you to get back up, dust yourself off, and do it again through determination. They may be on different paths, but travelers and skaters can relate to each other. Rebels to societal norms, misunderstood by most, finding their way in life and the world by doing what brings them joy.  Misfits may be misunderstood by the masses but never stop searching for happiness while pursuing their passion. Lucky to be both, either way, I’ll be boarding soon.

READY TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD WITH A SKATEBOARD?

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