Lighthearted, goofy and incredible on a skateboard; two-time Olympian, Keet Oldenbeuving took us Spot to Spot from parks to the streets in California. Keet (pronounced like kAte) talks a bit about her perspective on competitive skateboarding as well as what qualities in skaters inspire her. Spoiler Alert: she appreciates anti-conformity. Hear Keet talk about the route she found from her home in the Netherlands, around Europe and now the rest of the world. According to Keet, she has always viewed contest skateboarding as the ultimate ticket to find freedom down the road to film in coveted streets of California. It seems to have worked out according to plan.
Spot to Spot: Tyson Bowerbank Salt Lake City Skateboard Tour
Best known for his street back threes, Tyson is no slouch when it comes to connecting lines between ledge, manuals, and mandatory flat ground enders to seal the deal. Get a personable tour from the SLC native as Tyson rolls through different areas of town, chalks up ABDs (already been done) from Jon Allie, Lizard King, and of his own, and all that Tyson’s hometown has to offer in Spot to Spot.
First Person: Jake Ilardi Battles Industry Politics with Skateboard Skills
Jake Ilardi has heart for skateboarding. Going pro in November 2020, he released standout video parts and earned a spot on Team USA Skateboarding, making his Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games. Despite dominating these feats in stride, he ultimately found himself in the industry gauntlet. Come August 2024, Jake earned his way into the RSEO Street Final. Ilardi then went on to finish first in the semifinals held in Portland, earning his place in Sunday’s final, silencing his critics, and demonstrating that his fire remains as strong as ever. Hear Jake’s story in First Person in our latest video above.
In The Mix: Deck Side with Greyson Fletcher, Keegan Palmer, Nick Peterson
In The Mix presents a look beyond the competition and gets a vibe check with skateboarders’ deck side. First up, we hung out on the park deck at the Rockstar Energy Open that housed rippers, local legends, Olympians, and everyone else in between all weekend long in Portland, Oregon. With names like Greyson Fletcher, Tom Schaar, Keegan Palmer, Nick Peterson, and more made for a mind-melting men’s park event. Talent pool aside, what made the vibe of this park deck different from any other was the synergy created by the skateboarders, the energy brought by the fans, and the broadcast hosts behind the microphone, making it all feel like an elevated state of being. Listen along with hosts Corbin Harris, Omar Hassan, and Amelia Brodka as they go through the men’s park competition and the park best trick jam with unique insight from the skateboarders dropping in.
Highlights: Men’s Street Final | Rockstar Energy Open Portland 2024
After riding out a rollercoaster of a final with rookie Lazer Crawford in First Person, we now present all the hammers that went down in the men’s street competition at the Rockstar Energy Open. Watch clips of Dasawn Jordan, Chris Joslin, Maurio McCoy, Cordano Russell, Vincent Milou, Jhancarlos Gonzalez, Jake Ilardi, Braden Hoban, Kelvin Hoefler and Lazer Crawford in the highlight video above.
First Person: Lazer Crawford Spotlight Moment in The Big Leagues
In the second installment of First Person, a new video series that gives a skateboarder’s perspective in competitions, street missions, and filming video parts, we follow up with Lazer Crawford and his first-time career big win at the Rockstar Energy Open. “Has anyone ever won their first pro contest?” uttered pro skateboarder and host Sean Malto as everyone watched Lazer drop in for his last chance at making his first podium debut in the big leagues. Ride the lows and highs with Lazer as he explains his nerves, the support he’s had along the way from his dad, and the thrill of a rookie taking center stage.
Highlights: Street Best Trick Jam | Rockstar Energy Open Portland 2024
The street best trick jam saw more tricks fall from the course than rain drops, which is what we all wanted at the Rockstar Energy Open. The street course was open to all competitors for a 45-minute jam format focused on the 3-block section and a rail explicitly installed for the Best Trick contest. Watch all the tricks that were stomped, who rolled away with cash in hand, and the overall MVP winner in the highlight video above featuring Braden Hoban, Dominick Walker, Alec Majerus, Miyu Ito, Julian Lewis, Kylie Frank, Aoi Uemura, Mikey Ray, Julian Christianson, Alex Lobasyuk, Chris Joslin, Josh Douglas, Shiloh Catori, Mei Ozeki, Sewa Kroetkov, Gabe Vigliotti, Ryan Carrell, and Jhancarlos Gonzalez.
Top 8 Rockstar Energy Open Women’s Street Qualifier
Here are the top eight Rockstar Energy women’s street semi-finalists you can expect to see on Sunday’s finals. The top three qualifying spots were Miyu Ito, Pamela Rosa, and Secret Lynn.
Top 10 Rockstar Energy Open Men’s Park Qualifiers
The men’s park qualifier wrapped up with Tom Schaar, Yuro Nagahara, and Kieran Woolley in the top 3 qualifying spots of 10 going into Sunday’s final. Check out all the park skateboarders you can expect in Sunday’s final here.
The Pltfrm Spot to Spot: Maurio McCoy
Being a pro skateboarder in 2024 drastically differs from what it used to be 24 years ago. From what it means to film a video part, social media, YouTube channels, sponsor obligations, contests, demos, and everything else in between that is not related to time on a skateboard is skateboarding. In this Spot to Spot, Maurio McCoy gives us a glimpse into the juggling act of being a pro skateboarder, the opportunities he’s created to grow his career, and all while showing us a few of his favorite spots around Pasadena.
VQS: Best Trick Contenders
Although the online Video Qualifier Series may have already selected the top ten women’s and men’s entries that won an invite to the Rockstar Energy Open, the VQS continues to provide more cash-winning opportunities. Combing through 50-plus video entries, here’s a two-minute and change montage of the Best Trick Contenders vying for a chance at pocketing $1,000.