Skateboarders, much like traveling salespeople or long-haul truckers, often find themselves spending considerable time on the road and in the air. While this nomadic lifestyle is an integral part of skateboarding culture, it also presents its own unique challenges. From navigating airport security to dealing with injuries abroad, traveling as a skateboarder requires a certain level of preparedness and know-how.
To shed light on these challenges, we’ve gathered insights from some of skateboarding’s most seasoned travelers: Will Miles, Nestor Judkins, Patrik Wallner, Evan Smith, and Anthony Claravell. These individuals have collectively spent more time on the road than most, and they’re here to share their tips, tricks, and some wild stories to help you navigate your next journey.
Will Miles: Avoiding Weed Missions and Embracing Local Dive Bars
What should you AVOID in a new city?
Will Miles advises against diving headfirst into the search for weed on your first night. Let the locals sort that out while you focus on getting acclimated to the new environment.
What should you DO in a new city?
Seek out a local dive bar or pool hall. These spots are perfect for a casual pre-bed drink or for sheltering from the rain. They offer a glimpse into the local scene and provide a relaxed atmosphere.
How many pairs of underwear and socks for a five-day trip?
Even after a particularly unfortunate airport incident, Will still recommends packing five pairs of underwear. However, he suggests bringing ten pairs of socks. This is because changing out of your skate socks at the end of the day is crucial for comfort.
What’s your wildest airport security story?
Will recounts a time he had severe food poisoning before a flight to Mexico. Thinking he was safe, he went to the airport, only to realize he was about to vomit into his mask while waiting for his bag at security. He managed to hold it back, but in doing so, he ended up soiling himself.
What are your three essential travel items?
Will swears by Crocs, which he claims make air travel much more comfortable, noise-canceling headphones, which allow him to get more sleep on flights, and spare shorts, which are perfect for changing into mid-flight or during layovers.
Tell us about a brush with death while traveling.
In Cape Town, Will got into a taxi with a driver who was driving erratically. The driver pulled out a joint, asked the passengers to smoke it, and then said he was going to smoke crack and find someone to sleep with in his car. He then drove them the longest route and dropped them off at the wrong location, telling Will that he would kill him if he told anyone about the ride.
Nestor Judkins: Embrace Long Flights and Avoid Hotel Chilling
What are your three travel essentials?
Nestor’s essentials are cameras and a notebook. He also emphasizes the importance of making memories and being present in the moment.
What is your strategy for a good flight?
Nestor admits that flights always tend to be difficult. He recommends being tired but not hungover, using iron tablets for restless legs, and selecting an aisle seat. He also changes his clock to the destination’s time upon boarding the plane. He actually enjoys long flights because he can sit and relax without any expectations or responsibilities.
What’s your wildest airport story?
In Madagascar, the pilot of their flight recognized Nestor and Patrik because his son was a skateboarder. He invited them to hang out in the cockpit during the flight, a unique experience on an old propeller plane.
Have you ever been injured while far from home?
Nestor spent five days in a London hospital after an injury that nearly required kidney removal. He learned that things happen, and that it’s beneficial to accept rest when needed. He also learned to trust his gut, which told him that his stomach ache was actually internal bleeding.
What should you AVOID when traveling?
Nestor stresses that “chilling in the hotel” is something to avoid at all costs.
What should you DO when in a new city?
He encourages getting on public transport, like the metro, to explore as much of the city as possible.
Patrik Wallner: The Vortex of Hotel Beds and a Shoulder Dislocation Saga
How many pairs of underwear and socks for a five-day trip?
Patrik believes that you can never have too many socks because they tend to disappear in hotel beds. While filming in Central Asia, he even promised to dispose of his socks in the “Gateway of Hell” in Turkmenistan, a promise he fulfilled years later on a solo trip.
Have you ever been injured while far from home?
Patrik dislocated his right shoulder badly in Turkey. Years later, while handing his camera bag to Jaakko Ojanen in a taxi in India, the same shoulder dislocated again. He had to wait for a specialist to arrive at the ER in the middle of the night.
Have you ever had an airport love connection?
Patrik met a flight attendant on a flight back to New York. After exchanging notes, they went on a date the next day, which included a trip to Flushing Meadows Park and Tompkins Square Park.
Evan Smith: Fly Low and Slow, Embrace Local Culture
What’s one thing you wish you knew before traveling abroad?
Evan advises against acting like an all-knowing American. It’s better to take a backseat approach and allow life to unfold. Being too loud or assertive might lead to negative consequences.
What should you AVOID when in a new city?
Keep your wallet in your front pocket, be aware of your surroundings, and stay safe. If you’re traveling alone, avoid getting too intoxicated. If you’re with a crew, look out for each other, and remember that some people may be less fortunate than you.
What should you DO in a new city?
Immerse yourself in the local culture, respect local customs, explore landmarks, skate the plazas, and introduce yourself to locals. Take lots of photos as these memories will be invaluable.
Is there a strategy to having a good flight?
Evan suggests never checking the time, having a couple of beers at the airport, and relaxing into the journey. He also emphasizes the importance of drinking water when flying, always carrying essentials in a backpack, and removing trucks from your board for easier travel.
Airport bars: Avoid or indulge?
He suggests indulging but keeping it under control, as overdoing it will prevent you from boarding. He also always wears a hoodie for comfort.
Have you ever been injured while far from home?
Evan suffered a severe concussion in Costa Rica during a demo. He woke up repeatedly in a state of confusion. He learned that life is fleeting, and it should not be taken for granted.
Anthony Claravell: Flip-Flops, Battery Packs, and Affordable Healthcare
Give me three travel essentials and why each one is important to you?
Anthony’s essentials are flip-flops and swim trunks, a packable rain jacket, hoodie & beanie, and battery packs. The first item is necessary for unpredictable swimming situations. The second is necessary for both weather and temperature fluctuations on planes. The last is crucial for keeping all your devices powered.
What’s the best meal to eat pre-flight?
Anthony humorously notes that there’s no science to pre-flight meals, but McDonalds before a flight has become a common tradition with friends across different continents.
Have you ever had a brush with death while traveling?
Anthony says he’s never had any Final Destination-type scenarios, but he did get robbed at gunpoint in Taiwan. He also narrowly avoided a major earthquake.
Have you ever been injured while far from home?
Anthony learned that healthcare is more affordable and accessible outside the U.S. He received stitches in Thailand for $150, which would cost thousands in the United States. He also got an emergency root canal in Spain for 20% of the cost at home.
Have you ever had an airport love connection?
Anthony prefers minding his business on flights, but he once had a great conversation with two Polish women on a flight from Poland to New York. They ended up getting pulled into secondary security upon arrival, and he never saw them again.
Conclusion
Traveling as a skateboarder can be an adventure, but it comes with its own set of challenges. By taking the advice from these seasoned travelers, you can minimize the headaches and maximize the experience. Whether it’s avoiding certain situations, embracing new cultures, or being prepared for the unexpected, these tips will help ensure a safer, more enjoyable, and overall fulfilling trip. Remember to pack your essentials, stay aware of your surroundings, and most importantly, have fun!
