Ben Raemers’ Tragic Death Sparked a Mental Health Movement | Skating and Talking – VICE

In May 2019, the skateboarding industry was left devastated by the news that British pro skater Ben Raemers had died by suicide at the age of 28. Ben’s approach to skateboarding – with his unique blend of transition and street skating – meant that he was one of a small number of British skaters to gain an international reputation over the past decade.

In this film, friends and family reflect on Ben’s rise to US sponsorship, and the struggles that came later as his mental health deteriorated. His tragic death sparked a mental health reckoning within the skate community, with other pro-skaters now questioning their assumptions about mental health and sharing stories of their own.

The Ben Raemers Foundation was founded in an attempt to end the stigma that prevents skaters from discussing mental health issues and to provide much-needed education about suicide prevention.

You can find out more about The Ben Raemers Foundation and donate HERE.

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Skateboarding’s Most Iconic & Controversial Sneaker

The Osiris D3 is one of the most successful yet divisive skate shoes of all time. The shoe was adored by the masses, but was also considered ugly and impractical by many skateboarding purists. It’s unsurprising that the story behind the creation of the Osiris D3 has just as much drama as the shoe itself. VICE met creators of the Osiris D3 to learn how the notorious sneaker came to be and the fallout that resulted in the wake of its success.

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From Skater to Stunt Double – Vice

Ever since he was a kid, William Spencer has been pushing the boundaries of what a skateboarding trick can look like—using discarded barrels, rusty ladders, and lengths of chain to pull off one-of-a-kind tricks. Now, he’s turned his hobby into a career, going from an amateur skateboarder to a professional stunt double.

VICE met up with Will in Los Angeles to hear what inspired him to become a stuntman full-time, and to find out how he made it from the streets of LA to the glossy sets of Hollywood.

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