Fresh off the heels of his standout clips in Carhartt WIP’s “Precious,” and chilling comfortably in Los Angeles, we bring you Riley Pavey, the 2023 SLAM Australia Skater of the Year and AM for WKND skateboards. Riley’s known for his online antics and a no-holds-barred attitude. This interview dives deep into everything from tuxedo t-shirts to his love for Yeat, revealing the unique personality behind this rising skate star.
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“Sweet As” and Misunderstandings
Riley admits that his Australian slang often gets lost in translation, with phrases like “You reckon” baffling those unfamiliar with Aussie lingo. This sets the stage for a conversation that’s as entertaining as it is insightful, touching on his unique perspective and experiences.
Australian Celebrity Status and SOTY
Despite his growing fame, Riley doesn’t see himself as a celebrity in Australia. However, he acknowledges that winning Australia’s Skater of the Year was a significant achievement, even suggesting it’s harder to win there due to the intense competition. The win did come with a payout, which he promptly invested in a gold chain – a purchase he now considers one of his “dumbest” but most memorable decisions.
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Boardr Rankings and Street League Experience
Riley was surprised to learn he’s ranked 4,972nd out of 18,000 skaters on the Boardr global rankings. His first Street League experience was eye-opening, comparing it to feeling like a UFC fighter, complete with massages and catered meals. Despite being nervous, he was happy with his 14th or 15th place finish and even managed to beat skate legend Chima Ferguson.
LA Adventures and Clubbing
Since moving to the US, Riley has embraced the LA lifestyle, frequenting “trap clubs” where weed is smoked freely and the party vibes are strong. His drink of choice? Piña coladas, although he admits to smuggling in shots to avoid the inflated prices. He humorously describes his recent foray into smoking weed, crediting his friends for introducing him to the habit.
Workaholics House and Yeat Fandom
A highlight for Riley was visiting the actual Workaholics house featured in a WKND video. He charmed the current owners into letting him hang out on the roof, complete with beers, and discovered they had original props from the show. A self-proclaimed Yeat fanatic, Riley hopes the rapper would approve of him, even joking about matching his energy.
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Family Connections and Kendrick Lamar Encounter
Riley’s dad, a lighting designer for concerts, has opened doors to meeting some high-profile artists, including Nas. However, his most memorable encounter was with Kendrick Lamar. At the time, Riley wasn’t a fan and admits he still doesn’t care for his music, a controversial opinion that he’s sure will irk some old-school fans.
Dating Apps and James Charles
Riley hilariously admits to being on all the dating apps, including the exclusive Raya Plus, which he suspects he got access to thanks to a photo with James Charles. He met Charles at a party and jokingly calls him his “brother,” making it clear he was kidding. He employs a childish pickup line (“Wow, I’ve got such a big crush on you”) to come across as nice, a stark contrast to his current living situation sleeping on friend’s couches.
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Skate Cities and WKND Love
He considers Melbourne the best city for skating in Australia, but prefers his hometown of Gold Coast, comparing it to a mini-Florida. He notes that while Passport is the GOAT company in Australia, there’s still a lot of love for WKND.
WKND Crew and Skit Star
Riley jokes about annoying WKND’s older crew with his constant talking and loud music in the van. His experience being in WKND skits was positive, describing it as feeling like a “full on movie star.” He’s even considering acting as a career path, believing “that’s where the real bread is.” He states that he would “maybe do anything” for one of Grant’s skits, even going nude on camera.
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Skateboarding Ambition and Anger Management
Riley isn’t worried about being an AM forever, stating he’s working hard to progress. He reveals a recent change in his personality, saying he’s been generally happy lately, making it hard for him to get angry while skating or in general.
“Cunt” Controversy and Rugby Roots
Riley acknowledges that his frequent use of the word “cunt” raises eyebrows in the US, where the term has more negative connotations than in Australia. He also shares his background playing rugby, even receiving free Nike boots for it, before moving to skateboarding. He jokes about the high salaries of his rugby friends, contrasting it with his own skateboarding career.
Tuxedo T-Shirts and Cringe Fashion
Riley’s love for tuxedo t-shirts stems from finding a well-fitting one at an “op shop” (thrift store), demonstrating his penchant for unique and often cringe fashion. He also discusses his recent purchase of Chrome Heart jeans and his experience skating in True Religion skinny jeans.
Social Media Habits and Cory Kennedy
Riley’s daily screen time is over 11 hours, which he admits is excessive. He sometimes deletes Instagram to reduce usage. He shares a funny story about owning a life-size cutout of Cory Kennedy, his favorite skater, who inadvertently helped deter a break-in at his house.
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TikTok Fame and Prank Aspirations
Riley has gone viral on TikTok several times, often for his humorous takes on fashion. He isn’t entirely sold on TikTok as a skateboarding platform, expressing a preference for pranks and wanting to create his own videos. He humorously claims that he can probably do every trick, although he admits to struggling with nollie front heels.
Conclusion
Riley Pavey’s interview is a whirlwind of skateboarding, humor, and cultural clashes. From his Australian slang to his LA experiences, he’s a unique personality making waves in the skate scene. His blend of talent, ambition, and laid-back charm make him one to watch. With his drive, he’s set to achieve new heights, leaving a mark on the skateboarding world.
Interview and Intro by: Ben Komins
Photos Courtesy of: Clément Le Gall
Header by: Wilson Lucas
