Innovation is at the core of skateboarding culture, and its progression has been constant since its early beginnings. From the first ollie to the first kickflip, to the 900 and beyond (we’re now witnessing kickflip body varial 900s).
Within the community, there is immense pressure to be the first to reach a new milestone and perhaps even name a trick after yourself. Whether it’s a technical difficulty or an idea no one has thought of, the goal is always to contribute to the sport’s growth while leaving your name in history. Some believe that skateboarding’s maturity makes innovation rarer and more challenging today. However, it is still possible, and at JACKALOPE, we often have a front-row seat to witness it.
Let’s see if we can make a few predictions for 2025. What will be the next never-before-seen trick? Is innovation still possible in 2025? How far can it go? Has skateboarding reached its creative peak? Who will make history, and on what occasion?
To explore these questions, we propose focusing on three aspects of creativity: the tricks, the landmark events, and the individuals who have shaped the culture.
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The Individuals Transforming the Sport
First, let’s talk about the pioneers who revolutionized spin tricks. If Tony Hawk landed the first 900 in 1999, he paved the way for Tom Schaar and the first 1080 in 2012, Mitchie Brusco and the first 1260 in 2019, and Gui Khury’s kickflip body varial 900 in 2024. Not to mention JD Sanchez landing a 900 at just 15 years old, or Ema Kawakami doing so at 7, potentially marking Canada’s first 900 during the Mississauga event.
What does 2025 have in store for us?
If Rodney Mullen invented most street tricks and Mark Gonzales is considered the godfather of street style with his flowy lines, 2025 will undoubtedly bring more innovations. In the video Crazy Wisdom, Andy Anderson follows in the footsteps of innovators like Natas Kaupas, being the first to spin on fire hydrants and slide on handrails. With Mullen himself being a fan of Anderson, we can bet he will surprise us in 2025. In his interview with JACKALOPE, Anderson hinted that this is just the beginning.
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If Elissa Steamer and Cara-Beth Burnside paved the way for women, Japanese street skater Momiji Nishiya set a high standard with her 2024 video. Meanwhile, Rayssa Leal (16) and Coco Yoshizawa (14) are emerging legends with the podium finishes and medals they’re collecting.
Will Anderson, Brusco, Schaar, Khury, Sanchez, Nishiya, Leal, Yoshizawa, Kawakami, or someone unknown today reach a new milestone in 2025?
It will be exciting to find out, but it’s highly likely that records will be broken by one of these individuals who push the limits every day.
Events That Shape History
Looking back, one could argue that a pivotal moment in integrating skateboarding into popular culture began in the late ’90s with the video game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and culminated with its full integration into the 2020 Olympics. While events like Hellride in Finland, the Copenhagen Open, and the Dime Glory Challenge offer unconventional competitions that break away from traditional formats, 2025 promises to be just as exciting, if not more so, than an Olympic year.
In 2024, we witnessed Kasso, the first competition format designed specifically for Japanese television, featuring obstacle course-like challenges. We also saw the first competition in a modular skatepark at JACKALOPE Montreal.
In 2025, we anticipate further expansion of the women’s scene, and we’re all curious to see what form it will take.
Competitive events may experiment with new formats to stand out among other media presenting skateboarding in innovative ways. Will we see more online competitions like X-Games Real Street? And what would you like to see as an innovation in skateboarding presentation in 2025?
Predictions for New Tricks in 2025
Lance Mountain said in the documentary Heart, Part 2 by artist Lucas Beaufort: “Skateboarding is at a mature age, and innovations aren’t as groundbreaking as those introduced by Mark Gonzales or Tony Hawk.” Mountain might be right that it’s increasingly difficult to revolutionize the sport, but let’s dream about the next steps.
What if someone lands a 1440 on a quarter pipe? We could also imagine a switch 900. Will we see a street skater pull off a 360 flip to darkslide? We’ve already seen a backside 540 in street—will there be a frontside 540 in street? What tricks do you think we’ll see in 2025?
In conclusion, innovation continues despite skateboarding reaching a certain level of maturity. Whether through individual achievements, event organizers’ initiatives, or unexpected tricks, there are undoubtedly many surprises still in store.
