Downhill longboarding is the sport of hellmen, bombing a hill at 130kph is madness, right? Not if you’re calculated, confident and experienced. Technology and equipment is developing, speed records are being shattered and the sport is now globally recognised.
If you know the name Adam Yates, you know downhill longboarding. Yatesy hails from Queensland’s Gold Coast and is among the fastest men on four wheels and two trucks in the world and a damn good bloke, doing damn good things for the sport. Yatesy lives the life, travelling the world shredding and spreading the stoke. He and a handful of downhill buddies (and fellow team riders of Landyachtz) are pushing the sport to it’s absolute limits and having a lot of fun doing so in Adam’s web series ‘Skate and Explore’ (watch on Garage).
We caught up with Adam Yates to talk longboarding, life as a pro and where he finds his inspiration and stoke.
Thanks for catching up with us Yatesy!
When did you first pick up the board?
It was in my grom days, maybe around the age of 10 but it wasn’t until my late teens that i actually got to serious riding.
How many years having you been longboarding?
Around 20 years.
Who inspired you to shred? Any heroes you look up to?
It’s always been based around surfing. I used to look at Occy and want a backhand crack like that but being able to relive the lines of the OG crew, MR, Shaun Tompson and what they did in their days on the equipment they had is inspiring for sure. In my time Slater, Mason, Taj, JJ, Mick, the list could go on. I feel it’s all related back to surfing. It’s all about the flow of the ocean.
How does Australia compare to the rest of the world in Longboarding?
Pretty well. We don’t have the same numbers but we have a solid group of young guns that are attacking the global scene with ferocity! It’s epic to see the fire burn.
How does it feel to travel the globe doing what you love and getting paid for it?
It’s epic. It’s a privilege. It’s the result a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s a dream come true.
Any special places you found along the way?
Every place has left me with a special memory of where I was, at that moment in my life!
Do you like to compete or are you more of a free skater?
I’m a competitor so you’ll never take that out of me but i’ve enjoyed racing less in the last few years. I just love skating, wherever and with whoever. I happily stepped back from the racing scene a few years ago and although, the people you meet at race’s are like minded crew and friends for life, I have found that the whole Skate and Explore gig, has provided me with lasting memories of people who’s names i don’t even know, people who might have never even seen a skateboard, let alone a man from western civilization. It’s a big world out there and it makes me happy to have been able to spread the stoke to more people outside of the communities that I am familiar with.
What is your gnarliest crash story?
Hit a car, head first at around 80 kph. It wasn’t my time.
What is the worst Injury you’ve had? How long were you out for?
Dislocated knee, torn meniscus, torn ACL, PCL. 14 months off all boards.
What is your most memorable run?
There’s been a lot of runs over the years that are up there but it was one that i did solo, right up in the National Parks of South Korea. Id never seen the road, it looked wet and it was steep and busy. I trusted myself and was feeling ever more comfortable on my board. I was confident in my riding and i knew my equipment is on point! I dropped in and the rest is in here (tapping my head).
How is the travel schedule now that you have a young family?
Still busy. I’ve obviously taken a lot less of the international tours this year but there has been a few pop up that i’ve been asked to be part of. Its great to still get the call! I just have to juggle a few things and lucky for me, I have an incredible family at home that allows me to still do what i love.
Any plans to get your little girl on the board?
It’d be rad but she’s got a ways to go yet. Whatever she wants, i’ll support that.
I see you like to catch a few waves between tearing the hills, what came first? Did one inspire the other?
Surfing definitely inspired me to skate the way I do. Its funny, now i find I’m fine tuning my surfing to get boards that feel the way I skate. They’re both different but I don’t think i could have one without the other!
Where would you like to see the sport go in the future?
Its come along way since the days when I started but it could go further. For that, I think larger investment is needed. This could come as a means of prize money at global professional events or going back to grass roots, local governments/councils could build parks/areas for skaters to use safely. The next generation are the key to growth and more parents these days worry about sending their kids out on roads. I would have to agree. Imagine if there were specific parks that accommodated all levels of riding, in a controlled environment, minimising the risk, maximising the fun.
What’s next for Yatesy?
I’m heading out to China again for another skate trip this week. I’m filming a video with Hawgs Wheels for my Pro Model.
I’m busy being a dad to a little nugget that never sits still. I got a surf trip to Bali comin up. It’s all go, never a dull moment.
Any message for the kids?
Small steps lead to big things. Never stop learning. With comfort comes confidence.
Watch the adventures of Yatesy:
Image credit: Jacob Lambert
