JACKALOPE’s back for 2025, and if you don’t know what that means, here’s the quick lowdown : a full-on action sports festival where skateboarding, community, music, and good vibes collide. It’s where some of the most talented, hungry riders from all overcome to compete, connect, push what’s possible on 4 wheels, and live the culture.

The Golden Ticket contest? The gateway to this whole experience ; an all-expenses-paid trip to skate  in Virginia Beach, Mississauga, and Montréal. Picking these Golden Ticket winners wasn’t a walk in the park. The panel was stacked with skate legends and industry insiders who know what it takes to push skating forward : Manny Santiago, PLG, Amelia Brodka, Christiana Means.. These tickets go to skaters who bleed skateboarding. This year, hundreds of skaters threw their hats in the ring. This blog digs into their stories ; their passion, their challenges, and what skating means beyond the tricks and comps.

Shuka Kawai – Japan

Shuka found skateboarding at eight, shredding daily with friends near home. The 540 is her signature move. For her, skating means pushing past frustration, landing tricks through relentless effort. She’s inspired by her teacher Kisa Nakamura and friend Asahi Kakihara, who keep the vibe positive and fun. When Mike handed her the Golden Ticket, it was surreal, like a dream. Jackalope marks her first time skating outside Japan, and she’s stoked to soak in pro vibes and make friends worldwide.

 

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Une publication partagée par shuka (@shuka_kawai)

Alisa Fessl — Austria

Alisa’s path began with snowboarding but quickly pivoted to park and vert, where she found her flow. She loves crafting lines and stringing combos. Skating taught her resilience and how to connect beyond language on the road. Meeting Mike and scoring the Golden Ticket validated her passion. She’s buzzing for Jackalope’s wild energy, killer skating, and insane locations. Dream spot? Spain’s Skate Church, a skate session inside living art. Her advice to young skaters? “Keep going. Progress hits when you least expect it.”

 

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Une publication partagée par Blue Tomato (@bluetomato)

Deyvid Anderson — Peru

Representing Peru with style, heart, and passion he brings a raw edge to both street and bowl. “It gives me a rush of adrenaline and satisfaction,” he says. Skateboarding changed his life, taking him from local parks to international events. “I never imagined making a living from this ; traveling, learning new cultures, and skating next to the pros I used to watch on YouTube.” Meeting Mike while skating injured, he still gave it his all. “At night, he gave me the ticket; I felt proud that people now know there’s talent in Peru.” Inspired by legends like Yuto Horigome, he’s aiming for the Olympics, Street League, and making a part that’ll inspire the next generation.

 

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Une publication partagée par Deyvid Anderson Tuesta Mota (@deyvid_anderson)

Mazel Paris – Philippine

Inspired by her brother, Mazel started skating at five and never looked back. Park and vert are her playgrounds, where she feels free and unstoppable. Skateboarding gave her confidence and a crew that pushes her harder every session. The Golden Ticket caught her totally by surprise, and now she’s fired up to hit all three JACKALOPE contests. Her motto? “Never give up. If boys can do it, so can you.” No joke ; Mazel’s proof that skating is all about heart and hustle, no matter your age or gender.

 

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Une publication partagée par Mazel Paris (@mazelparis)

Daniel Zapata – Colombia

Daniel started skating at 12, and it became his escape from a rough school life and the wrong crowd. Obsessed ever since, he hustled hard, flying back and forth to LA, couch-surfing for months, cooking his own food, all just to chase that skate dream. No easy ride, but that grind made him who he is today.

He crushed it in three Tampa Am contests and rocked pro status for Mexico’s Border Skateboards for five years before stepping up to bigger things. Now he’s riding with Independent Trucks and Brooklyn Projects Skateshop from LA, blending fast street and transition skating like a true boss.

Skating flipped his world upside down, in the best way. Without it, he says he’d never have left Colombia or seen the world. Meeting Wes Kremer left a mark too ; “best dude ever and one hell of a skater.” Daniel’s goal? Keep rolling, keep traveling, keep filming, and find a skate fam he’s proud to be part of. The Golden Ticket came after a chill day skating with Mike, despite a bum ankle, proving Daniel’s always down to skate, always hungry for the next session.

 

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Une publication partagée par Daniel Zapata (@polloraw)

Secret Lynn — USA

Meet Secret Lynn, 17, straight outta Gilbert, Arizona, who ditched soccer for skating at 11 and never looked back. Skating in the blazing desert heat every day turned her from rookie to serious contender real quick ; no regrets dropping that ball for the board. Street skating is her jam, Aka Nothing beats hitting urban spots and pushing limits on real-world terrain. Skating gave her a tight crew and boosted her confidence. The skate community? Totally welcoming, no matter if you’re just starting or already ripping comps worldwide. Lynn’s got her sights set on crushing more contests, dropping street parts, and eventually going pro. Her skate mentor/brother-from-another-mother? Roman Hager ; the guy who’s got her back and pushes her to be her best. Her Golden Ticket win? A total surprise from Christiana, right after some killer compliments on her footage. Lynn’s stoked to reunite with friends, vibe with the skate community, and soak up all the Jackalope festival madness beyond just skating.

She’s already skated in Japan and Rome, but spots like Barcelona and Germany are on her dream list. Pro tip from Lynn? “Push past your limits, work through fears, and never give up.” Her board? Probably telling her to chill on the fear. And yeah, her pre-comp hype song is “Let Me See” by Chief Keef If her skate life were a movie? “Skateboarding’s Best Kept Secret”  fitting, right?

You can check her clips right here.

Jair Urbano – Peru

Jair, also known as Bronx, is one of Peru’s most consistent and dedicated skaters. A three-time national champion and bronze medalist at the 2023 South American Games, his journey has taken him from the streets of Lima to the world stag —competing in Rome, Dubai, Russia, Colombia, and the U.S. Currently living and training at Peru’s high-performance center, Jair is laser-focused on qualifying for the 2028 Olympics and filming a standout video part in the U.S. “It all comes down to discipline, consistency, and dedication,” he says. At JACKALOPE, he’s aiming to put on a show, connect with the scene, and leave with unforgettable memories. Whether it’s rails or stairs, he’s all-in: “Street skating is where I feel most alive ;it doesn’t matter if there’s a park or not, I’ll find a spot.”

 

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Une publication partagée par Jair Urbano (@jairurbanoo)

What’s next?

So here they are, the wild cards with Golden Tickets in hand, ready to stomp JACKALOPE 2025 in Virginia Beach, Mississauga, and Montréal. These 8 skaters exemplify the essence of the Golden Ticket program: unearthing hidden gems and providing them with a platform to shine. As they prepare to take on the challenges of the Jackalope 2025 tour, their stories and skills will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the global skateboarding community. Keep your eyes peeled as these eight are the future of skateboarding, and trust me, it’s gonna be one hell of a ride.