Supra supports the legends of tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines — Skateboarding used to be taboo in a lot of cultures around the world, simply because it was something different.

In many ways, it still remains that way. But the emergence of a more open-minded generation has started the ripples of global acceptance. Skateboarding as an art, a sport, or even as a hobby is steadily being respected, appreciated, and sometimes even glamorized.

Yet in this day and age, skateboarding is still as simple and raw as self-expression. It’s that kind of lifestyle and culture that global skate footwear brand Supra continues to advocate.

“Supra, as a brand, we believe in skateboarding not just as a sport and not just as something to do but it’s really a cross between an art and a lifestyle,” said Supra Brand Manager Pepe Cervero.

“Skateboarding goes beyond. It’s not about winning. It’s really a mindset where you really push the boundaries.” 

Skate icons to inspire

Built on nurturing the skateboarding culture, Supra promotes skateboarding through immersion and firsthand interaction with iconic and influential skaters. 

With the Invasion Tour 2013, Supra brought members of its skate team around Europe, America and Asia to bolster skateboarding as a lifestyle and as a sport. 

Following a successful skate tour in 2012 that was met with great enthusiasm from local Filipino skaters, Supra decided to return to the Philippines for a second time. 

Raising the bar for 2013, Supra brought to the country skate legends such as Jim Greco, owner of Deathwish skateboarding company. Joining him is another legend in Stevie Williams, who has been listed as one of the 27 most influential skateboarders of all time, according to Transworld Skateboarding.

“The skate culture [in the Philippines] is awesome. There’s a lot of kids here, there’s a lot of people,” Stevie Williams said during the successful skate demo in front of the Manila Post Office, where a huge crowd of local skaters showed up with their skateboards. 

“They give us a lot of love and support when we come out here and I love coming to the Philippines.”

More notable skate game-changers and prodigies, including Neen Williams, Keelan Dadd, Boo Johnson, Kevin Romar, Spencer Hamilton, Nick Tucker and Pat Rumney, also joined Greco and Williams.

“We have them here not just because of how they skate but mostly because of who they are,” Cervero explained.

“They’ve really taken what they love first into a sport and then from there they’ve really made a living and made an empire out of it. We brought them here to inspire people.”

The two-day event in Manila included a signing session at the Calle Skate Shop, as well as a skate demo where 20 of the best local skaters displayed their mettle in an invitational skate competition. This was then followed by a skate demo by members of the Supra skate team. 

“I think it’s gonna take big brands like Supra and DGK to really support what’s going on. Kind of bring them [local skaters] up to speed so they can really know how to become an amateur or become a professional [skateboarder],” Williams spoke of the potential of skateboarding to grow and become more than just a niche sport in the Philippines.

“I definitely see a lot of potential here, I really do.”

He added that he finds similarities in the urban skate environment that Filipino skaters are accustomed to with the one he grew up in.

“A lot of these neighborhoods is kind of like my neighborhood back home. If I could come from my neighborhood and turn pro, then anybody can turn pro.”

Skateboarding is a lifestyle

For Filipino skaters, the Invasion Tour is a chance to see their skate heroes up close and personal. With the audience ranging from kids to long-time skaters, it’s a good indication of the vibrant skate culture that’s alive and kicking in the Philippines. 

“We’re trying to work with local governments here and there to promote skateboarding and change that mentality that it’s something dangerous, that it’s something bad or taboo,” Cervero explained Supra’s mission. “It’s just something else that kids like to do. It’s a lifestyle. It’s no different than basketball.”

While skateboarding is still a niche sport at best, at the very least, it still naturally promotes the lifestyle and the attitude of carving one’s own path, pushing limits, and staying true to one’s identity.

“That’s what Supra’s trying to support,” Cervero said. “We’re here to support the legends of tomorrow. We’re here to push people, tell people that you can go far doing what you love.” –Rappler.com