With it being mental health awareness week and with most of us living a fairly limited life right now we thought it might be nice to catch up with some of our friends over at DC Shoes and see what the UK riders have been getting up to in these strange times. We don’t want to keep banging on about lockdown but during this time it’s important to address our own mental health and things we can do to help. Heywood Ward chatted to Skateboard Cafe’s Josh Arnott, Santa Cruz duo Matt Beer and Cian Eades and last but not least Carve Wicked’s Sam Pulley with rad illustrations produced by Eloise Dörr. If you need to talk to someone or need help, please make sure you talk to a friend, family member or alternatively the great people at The Ben Raemers Foundation and MIND Charity have plenty of advice and help to get you through these tough times. Also if you’ve not seen it our ‘at home’ physiotherapist routine PDF by Ben Rowles aka The Skateboard Physiotherapist this might help pass some time which you can download for free here.
Introduction + Interviews by: Heywood Ward
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
Josh Arnott
So with many of us around the world living in some sort of lockdown or with restrictions placed upon our daily life, tell us, how have you been finding it?
It’s been up and down as im sure it has been for many people, I’ve had my up and downs, but trying to remain positive, it has given me a chance to catch up on jobs around the house that I’ve been putting off.
What have you been doing that you’ve found can help with stress at at time like this?
I honestly found just some sort of exercise has been the best remedy, a bike ride or even just a push on my cruiser board has helped! Music has been a big help too.
For many of us skating can play a huge part in dealing with stress and mental wellbeing, have you been able to skate much and if so where and how have you been doing it? Ive seen locations range from lounges, to isolated McDonald’s carparks to even the roofs of people’s homes!
I have had a few skates here and there!
Many people have been finding interesting ways to pass the time besides skating, having the time to take up their other passions, what have you been doing besides skating and have you discovered a new love for a pastime or even rekindled a love for an old past time?
For sure! I’ve actually bought a little screen print setup and been finding my way back into that which is cool as it’s creative and keeps you busy and it can also be time consuming.
Have you been taking part in the encouraged binging of box sets and if so what have you been watching?
Oh yeah big time haha, started ‘Seinfeld’ again, ‘Peep Show’, ‘Afterlife’, also made a effort to watch all of the films I should have watched!
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
How has exercising at home been for you besides skating? Any beauty spots you’ve been able to visit? I know a lot of people are getting out and cycling right now.
I’m quite lucky in Bristol as I’m surrounded by beautiful countryside so if you cycle like 1/2 hour out the city, theres always a nice spot.
Which is your go to DC shoe for lounging around the home at the moment and are you pairing it with a full sweat suit?
I’ve got some DC sliders that I’ve pretty much lived in haha.
We are all hoping to get out and skate with our mates again at our favourite spots as I’m sure you are too, are there any spots you miss the most and where will you be heading to first when this is all over?
Lloyds – the amphitheatre.
Right now it’s more important that ever to support your local skate shop, is there one you’d like to give a shout out to?
Well I work in Fifty Fifty and we have been trying to ship orders as safely and quickly as possible. So thankyou to anyone that has supported during these times.
Lastly do you have any words of encouragement or support for the fellow skateboarding community or advice that’s been helping you through it all?
Tough times never last, only tough people last!
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
Matt Beer
So with many of us around the world living in some sort of lockdown or with restrictions placed upon our daily life, tell us, how have you been finding it?
At first it was weird not being able to skate everyday. But as time passed I adjusted, I’ve been skating by myself more often early in the mornings a couple of times a week.
What have you been doing that you’ve found can help with stress at at time like this?
Exercise is the key to keeping my mind busy, and watching a bit of TV as well.
For many of us skating can play a huge part in dealing with stress and mental wellbeing, have you been able to skate much and if so where and how have you been doing it? Ive seen locations range from lounges, to isolated McDonald’s carparks to even the roofs of people’s homes!
I actually been skating flat ground surprisingly at my village primary school, also I’ve been skating the curbs at a local McDonald’s car park.
Many people have been finding interesting ways to pass the time besides skating, having the time to take up their other passions, what have you been doing besides skating and have you discovered a new love for a pastime or even rekindled a love for an old past time?
I’ve taken up skipping, I do this a couple times a week blasting some tunes and podcasts. Also I’ve taken up going for walks more often with my missus which has been relaxing.
Have you been taking part in the encouraged binging of box sets and if so what have you been watching?
‘Tiger King’ is a must watch for anyone it’s full of crazy shit happening. I’m afraid to admit this but I actually enjoyed watching ‘Too Hot To Handle’ on Netflix, it’s like ‘Love Island’ but entertaining.
What music have you been enjoying whilst home and have you discovered much new that you’d like to share?
I’ve been listening to a bit of DNB, High Contrast and reggae. The ablum I’ve been listening to is ‘Barrington Levy – Original Ragga Muffin Pt 1.’ It’s nice to sit down and listen to a full album zoning into the music.
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
How has exercising at home been for you besides skating? Any beauty spots you’ve been able to visit? I know a lot of people are getting out and cycling right now.
It’s been good doing calisthenics and a little meditation has been a great help keeping occupied. There’s a little wooded walk that me and the missis have been doing most days nearby me.
Which is your go to DC shoe for lounging around the home at the moment and are you pairing it with a full sweat suit?
My go to DC shoes are the T Funks… it has my favourite grip on the bottom like the Evan Smith shoe but they have been discontinued.
We are all hoping to get out and skate with our mates again at our favourite spots as I’m sure you are too, are there any spots you miss the most and where will you be heading to first when this is all over?
I’ve been missing concrete waves in Newquay, love skating the pool… the coping makes the best sound, could listen to that all day.
Right now it’s more important that ever to support your local skate shop, is there one you’d like to give a shout out to?
Flatspot! And thanks to Santa Cruz and DC Shoes for keeping me hooked up during lockdown. Also shout out to my boy Aaron Jago… the best dude.
Lastly do you have any words of encouragement or support for the fellow skateboarding community or advice that’s been helping you through it all?
Stay positive and keep busy, everyone is in the same boat. Watch ‘Cheese and Crackers’ to give you a good start for the day.
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
Cian Eades
So with many of us around the world living in some sort of lockdown or with restrictions placed upon our daily life, tell us, how have you been finding it?
It hasn’t been as bad I thought it was going to be. I am still trying to get out as much as I can. And with some of the restrictions have lifted in Ireland now, we can travel further for exercise and meet up with groups of 4, so finally some bit of normality is coming back.
What have you been doing that you’ve found can help with stress at at time like this?
I have been doing a whole lot of gardening and I built a really sick fire pit that has been getting some good use in the evenings. I still meet up with a friend to go for cycles as well, it definitely helps pass some of the day. Also I’ve been doing some editing for the new Limerick vid we are working on, so yeah I’m keeping busy otherwise I’d go mental!
For many of us skating can play a huge part in dealing with stress and mental wellbeing, have you been able to skate much and if so where and how have you been doing it? Ive seen locations range from lounges, to isolated McDonald’s carparks to even the roofs of people’s homes!
Our two skateparks are shut until the 3rd phase so luckily we have a DIY that’s pretty hidden and secluded but apart from that yeah I have skated a lot of school yards, carparks etc. I’m kind of enjoying it actually, brings me back to being a kid before we had any skatepark and had to just skate whatever we had at that time.
Many people have been finding interesting ways to pass the time besides skating, having the time to take up their other passions, what have you been doing besides skating and have you discovered a new love for a pastime or even rekindled a love for an old past time?
Not a whole lot really, slappies are a new love actually! I never really done them before until all this but they are so fun and easy on the body. Just working on that retirement plan y’know? ha!
Have you been taking part in the encouraged binging of box sets and if so what have you been watching?
Not at all, I spend a lot of time on my laptop at night but I literally just watch random shit on YouTube. I did start that Michael Jordan doc/series ‘The Last Dance’ and that’s pretty sick, but yeah apart from that just been listening to podcasts.
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
What music have you been enjoying whilst home and have you discovered much new that you’d like to share?
It’s hard to find new music, so much rubbish out there today. I listen to a lot of 90’s Memphis rap and have been for years. I can’t get myself to listen to anything else haha.
How has exercising at home been for you besides skating? Any beauty spots you’ve been able to visit? I know a lot of people are getting out and cycling right now.
Yeah definitely have a couple of nice beauty spots near my house so I’m fortunate I get to visit those places hassle free. The more rural you live in Ireland the less you would notice the lockdown, life goes on as normal in the countryside, I’ve even heard that some of the pubs are still ‘open’ for some of the locals.
Which is your go to DC shoe for lounging around the home at the moment and are you pairing it with a full sweat suit?
I’m either wearing my DC Sliders and the Williams Slim’s around the house, they’re mad comfy! Haven’t got around to skating them yet. And of course, full tracky on the go when I’m at home is essential.
We are all hoping to get out and skate with our mates again at our favourite spots as I’m sure you are too, are there any spots you miss the most and where will you be heading to first when this is all over?
As soon as we can travel further than our cities I’d like to go to Dublin and go on some missions with the boys up there. Also just looking forward to those summer evenings at the skatepark having a few beers and chatting shit with the lads.
Right now it’s more important that ever to support your local skate shop, is there one you’d like to give a shout out to?
www.highrollersdublin.com for all your skateboarding goods!
Lastly do you have any words of encouragement or support for the fellow skateboarding community or advice that’s been helping you through it all?
This shit won’t last forever, we’ll be back out on the streets soon….hopefully!
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
Sam Pulley
So with many of us around the world living in some sort of lockdown or with restrictions placed upon our daily life, tell us, how have you been finding it?
It’s been alright, quite frustrating at times but there are silver linings.
What have you been doing that you’ve found can help with stress at at time like this?
Cans… But on a serious note, I’ve been making sure to get out as much as possible. I’ve been going on long walks and bike rides with my dog (she doesn’t have a bike so she travels on paw) which always produces enough happy juice not to get too stressed.
For many of us skating can play a huge part in dealing with stress and mental wellbeing, have you been able to skate much and if so where and how have you been doing it? Ive seen locations range from lounges, to isolated McDonald’s carparks to even the roofs of people’s homes!
Skating definitely helps, I guess whatever your ‘thing’ is, it’s important that you do it when you can. There’s a few train station car parks nearby, that all seem to have a good variety of curbs. So I’ve been frequenting those spots, and also Newport skatepark has a few secret entrances, so I’ve been able to go there hassle free most days.
Many people have been finding interesting ways to pass the time besides skating, having the time to take up their other passions, what have you been doing besides skating and have you discovered a new love for a pastime or even rekindled a love for an old past time?
Definitely well up for riding bikes again, haven’t done it since I was a sprog/in Copenhagen. I live near a mountain, and all the lanes and fields are so class for stealing your dads bike and going down wicked hills.
Have you been taking part in the encouraged binging of box sets and if so what have you been watching?
I think this is the least I’ve watched TV for months, the weather has been so good that I’ve been staying out till dark, having a scoff when I get home, and then being too tired to watch anything properly. I do enjoy a bit of PS4 some nights, and also anything to do with aliens if I get the chance. Keep your eyes peeled for the invasion.
What music have you been enjoying whilst home and have you discovered much new that you’d like to share?
I don’t mind a bit of ‘Planet Rock’ while I’m cooking breakfast… enjoy about 2 songs out of 10, and feel like throwing up at the other 8, but it’s the convenience and lack of effort that’s kept me in the funk. I’ve also been rinsing the ‘Southern Comfort’ soundtrack by ‘Ry Cooder’ the last few days.
How has exercising at home been for you besides skating? Any beauty spots you’ve been able to visit? I know a lot of people are getting out and cycling right now.
I haven’t really been exercising at home, other than bench pressing the dog/cat… I’ve mainly been ripping up the streets/woods on a bicycle. RIP COG DOGS.
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
“I haven’t really been exercising at home, other than bench pressing the dog/cat.”
Which is your go to DC shoe for lounging around the home at the moment and are you pairing it with a full sweat suit?
Thankfully I don’t own a sweat suit. I recently got some of the infinite slip on shoes, and they’re basically a slipper with a skateboard shoe sole attached to the bottom.
We are all hoping to get out and skate with our mates again at our favourite spots as I’m sure you are too, are there any spots you miss the most and where will you be heading to first when this is all over?
I’m mainly missing being ‘unable’ to travel anywhere. There’s word of a £500 fine if you cross the bridge into Bristol without a worthy, law abiding reason. Hopefully all this social distancing lark doesn’t pickle too many people, so we can all hang out and skate again.
Right now it’s more important that ever to support your local skate shop, is there one you’d like to give a shout out to?
Big shout out to all of them. My immediate locals are Freestyle Skatestore in Newport, CSC in Cardiff, Exist in Swansea and Fifty Fifty in Bristol… But they all need a shout out during this shite. It can’t be easy to stay afloat at the minute, but the beauty of it is that people will always want skate stuff, whether they’re locked inside or flying like a peacock.
Lastly do you have any words of encouragement or support for the fellow skateboarding community or advice that’s been helping you through it all?
This is temporary (as is everything else that might be pissing you off), and will be a blip in the past before we know it. So don’t waste time having a bad time and have a laugh. – Gandhi, 2019.
Artwork by: Eloise Dörr
Remember if you need to talk to someone or need help, please make sure you talk to a friend, family member or alternatively the great people at The Ben Raemers Foundation and MIND Charity have plenty of advice and help to get you through these tough times.
Also if you’ve not seen it our ‘at home’ physio routine PDF by Ben Rowles aka The Skateboard Physiotherapist this might help pass some time which you can download for free here.
Interviews in association with DC Shoes.
