"Ludvig on Vert" – Video & Interview

In the world of skateboarding, there have always been those who changed the direction of their skating one way or another. For example, you saw people like Eli Reed, Chris Cole, or recently, Ville Wester creating a new version of themselves – mostly in terms of style. Everyone has different reasons to take a different path. Whether it be influences from music, hobbies, or just growing up. None of the above, however, describes the process of Ludvig Håkansson’s (re)discovery of vert skating adequately. It was just more of a “feeling” he had and then he went for it. And, besides skating without a suit jacket, his unique style remains the same in the vert environment: basically, changing directions without changing it up too much.

"Vert is a unique feeling that you don’t really get from skating anything else. You go a lot faster, but ironically, it feels like skating in slow motion."

What made you start learning to skate vert? Take me a bit through the process.

Last year, I felt I was repeating myself too much, doing the same tricks every day. I felt I wasn’t really challenging myself, needed to change it up, make it more fun and exciting again. I grew up skating transition and I skated a bit of vert when I was younger. I felt it would be fun to get into it again. Vert is a unique feeling that you don’t really get from skating anything else. You go a lot faster, but ironically, it feels like skating in slow motion. Plus, skating vert saves you the trouble of having to figure out what spots to go to that day.

Who do you ask the most for advice?

When I need advice, I usually talk to Ben Schroeder. He’s also one of my favorite vert skaters; always very exciting to watch.

"[…] I think knee pads make you look like you know what you’re doing on vert. Sometimes watching people skate padless on vert just looks scary and not fun at all."

What’s your advice for street skaters if they want to learn skating vert?

Get a set of knee pads, learn to knee slide – it will help a lot. It’s comforting to know you can almost always get out safely by sliding on your knees. Also, I think knee pads make you look like you know what you’re doing on vert. Sometimes watching people skate padless on vert just looks scary and not fun at all. [laughs]

If you could steal one Oski move, which one would it be?

Backside noseblunt. That trick looks amazing. Especially when he does it.

Who is/are your biggest vert idol/s? What videos do you watch?

Coco Santiago. His parts in the Real and Spitfire video. Great style on both street and vert. I think the skate world needs more raw vert skaters, not the Woodward kind. It’s no surprise that no one’s inspired to skate vert when all you see are kids spinning. I also really like watching Tom Boyle and Remy Stratton. They both did a trick I really want to learn: fs ollie truck bash. Seems like the best-feeling trick, but very scary. Oh, and Julien Stranger.

Switch Crooks – Photo by Nils Svensson

Would you see yourself as a member of the Bob Burnquist fan club?

Most definitely. The stuff he does is incredible. Take the bs smith grind one foot revert, for example. Nuts.

How long will it take until we’ll see you skating a mega ramp?

[laughs] Never, probably. But being able to do tricks on the mega quarterpipe looks really sick. Like when Danny Way did 360 flip to crooked grind.

I haven’t seen you skating in any street contests yet, would you take part in a vert/park one now? Do you see a difference?

I’m not that into skating contests. Always lots of people. Although if I do skate a contest, it would probably be on vert.

Bs Flip – Photo by Nils Svensson

Do you “plan” your lines differently on vert compared to skating street?

No, I rarely plan lines at all – whether it’s vert or street. Maybe the first and second trick, then whatever happens, happens.

Are there some goals or plans you have in vert skating?

No, it’s just fun to skate different stuff. Skate everything. I find challenging myself and learning new stuff to be one of the most fun aspects of skateboarding.