The skateboarding world is constantly evolving, and new talents emerge regularly. One such talent is Shane Farber, a 21-year-old skater who has been making waves in the scene. With a style that’s both refined and innovative, Shane’s approach to skateboarding is reminiscent of a young Jake Johnson, envisioning tricks and spots in ways that others often overlook. This article dives into 16 fascinating facts about Shane Farber, from his early days in Atlanta to his current life in Los Angeles, providing insight into his journey and what makes him such a unique skater.
Shane’s rise in the skateboarding world has been significantly influenced by his move to Los Angeles, where he’s surrounded by the likes of Louie Lopez and Mason Silva. This environment has clearly propelled his style and approach to skateboarding, pushing him to new heights. If you’re new to Shane’s work, his introduction to Converse part serves as an excellent starting point to witness his talent. But beyond his skills on the board, there’s a lot more to discover about this up-and-coming star from Atlanta.
1. A Bar Mitzvah with a Mini Ramp
Shane’s passion for skateboarding was evident from a young age, even influencing his Bar Mitzvah celebration. Instead of a traditional affair, Shane’s parents had a mini ramp installed in the ballroom of a hotel, allowing him and his friends to skate the night away. This unique celebration was documented and can be found on the Widdip channel.
Shane Farber skating a mini ramp at his Bar Mitzvah
2. Early Sponsorships with Fallen and Zero
At the young age of 11, Shane’s talent was already gaining attention. During a trip to California with his dad, Shane had the opportunity to skate at Blackbox, Zero’s former distribution center. His skill was undeniable, and he landed a kickflip on the 12-stair at Hollywood High, leading to sponsorships from Fallen and Zero. Interestingly, on the same trip, his dad’s work with AT&T led to him meeting Manny Santiago and Paul Rodriguez (P-Rod). Manny even invited Shane to The Berrics and gave him his number, an experience that initially overwhelmed young Shane.
3. Two Identical Hip Surgeries
Injuries are an unfortunate part of skateboarding, and Shane has faced his share. He suffered labral tears in both hips, a condition that required two separate surgeries. He had his right hip operated on in February 2020, and his left hip in May 2020. The timing of these surgeries coincided with the beginning of lockdown, which meant that he didn’t miss any skateboarding trips.
4. Surgery on His Face
Shane’s health challenges weren’t limited to his hips. Born two months premature, he had a hemangioma mixed with a lymph hemangioma in his left cheek. This required a procedure where he was injected with nearly 100% alcohol to reduce the swelling. While the procedure caused significant swelling initially, it ultimately helped prevent his cheek from swelling up during physical activities.
Shane Farber with a swollen cheek after his face procedure
5. The Youngest of the Crew
Shane was the youngest member of his skate crew in Atlanta, which included Grayson Miller, the founder of Widdip. He was 12 when he met Grayson, who, along with the rest of the crew, significantly influenced Shane’s development as a skateboarder. Through filming and hanging out, Shane learned the nuances of trick selection, line composition, and more.
6. An Unfinished Trick at Bell South
Bell South, a renowned skate spot in Atlanta, holds a special place in Shane’s skateboarding history. He spent years attempting a specific trick there, involving a wallride on an eight-stair, followed by a curve and then a wallride on a five-stair. Unfortunately, he never managed to land it before the spot was shut down. The spot is now heavily secured, with grass and rearranged features, making it unskateable.
7. A Second Angle Filmer
When Shane isn’t focused on landing tricks, he often films second angles of his friends. This practice developed in Atlanta and has continued with his move to Los Angeles. He brings his camera along on skate sessions with Ryan Lee, making sure he’s being productive even when he’s not the one skating. He even uses a unique setup with a different fisheye lens scaled to look like the Extreme fisheye on the HPX camera.
Shane Farber filming a second angle of his friend
8. Double Camera Theft
Early in his filming journey, Shane suffered a heartbreaking loss. He had his VX1 with an MK1 and a DVX 100B stolen, along with all the tapes. This occurred after he landed a challenging front shove on an 11-stair, one of his scariest tricks at the time. The loss of the cameras and the footage was a major setback.
9. Exploring Virtual Realities
Outside of skateboarding, Shane has been delving into virtual reality. He enjoys a game where you walk on a plank over a virtual city, which can induce real-life reactions from those who play. He also plays a game called Drunken Bar Fight, where players engage in chaotic bar fights.
10. A Thai Food Enthusiast
Shane’s culinary adventures led him to discover Thai food, which he tried for the first time when the Converse team visited Atlanta. He’s been enjoying pad see ew with fried tofu ever since. However, he’s also a fan of the classics like Cheeto Mac and Cheese and Nesquick chocolate milk.
Shane Farber skateboarding with a casual style
11. A Believer in Aliens
Shane is intrigued by the concept of extraterrestrial life. He believes that considering the size of the universe, it’s improbable that Earth is the only place with living organisms. He’s also fascinated by black holes and other cosmic phenomena, which are subjects that he would be interested in studying.
12. Skeptical About the Tooth Fairy
Shane admits he was somewhat skeptical about the tooth fairy, unsure if he ever truly believed that someone other than his parents was putting money under his pillow. He also recalls swallowing a tooth once, which he was not happy about.
13. An Amy Winehouse Fan
Shane’s skateboarding videos have often featured the music of Amy Winehouse, thanks to his filmer and editor Grayson. He discovered her music at the age of 15, and he appreciates how her tracks complement his skateboarding style.
Shane Farber skating with a stylish outfit
14. A Rough Night at a Gorilla Biscuits Show
Shane’s experience at a Gorilla Biscuits show in New York took an unfortunate turn when he jumped off the stage and hurt his back. The incident left him barely able to walk, and getting home required assistance. Despite the pain, he managed to recover, but the experience highlighted the risks associated with attending hardcore shows.
15. Getting on Converse Through Instagram
Shane’s connection with Converse came about through social media. He reached out to Aaron Herrington on Instagram when the Converse team came to Atlanta and surprisingly, Aaron replied and invited him to meet up. Later, a rep commented on his Instagram post about a contest, which lead to him receiving shoes from Converse. This shows the power of social media in the skateboarding industry.
16. Learning to Take It Easy
Shane has recently begun to experience burnout from constantly filming skateboarding clips. This realization led him to focus on skating skateparks, where he learned new ledge tricks. He also discovered that it is important to skate just for fun, without the pressure of filming. Additionally, he has been filming his friends, which has been a productive and fun experience.
Shane Farber skateboarding with a smile
In conclusion, Shane Farber is a unique skateboarder with a diverse range of interests and experiences. From his early days in Atlanta to his rise in Los Angeles, his journey is a testament to his passion, talent, and relentless pursuit of self-improvement. His approach to skateboarding, combined with his willingness to explore different aspects of life, makes him one of the most exciting personalities to watch in the skateboarding world today.
