I’ve been skating with Nolan for a few years now, he started riding our boards around 2019 or 2020 I think and tagged in a few posts and I saw something special in there. The first time we met up and skated was actually one of the last sessions that we got to have with Zane Timpson. Zane and I talked about Nolan and agreed that he was a good fit for Heroin.
I had this idea that I wanted to make a video that introduced both of our new riders, Swampy and Nolan. I didn’t know what it looked like, how long it was going to run, or if they’d have their own parts, or it would be some kind of thirty second montage or something. It turned into a three year project, that we called Swolan (Swampy + Nolan). Swampy was gaining a name for himself and we decided to turn him pro at the premier for this video at Baker Boys Distribution. I told Nolan that he was next in line to get a board and that we’d turn him pro after his next video part. (We’re editing it now!)
Over the past few years I’ve gotten to know Nolan pretty well I think, we skate together a lot, he’s usually fairly quiet, but can say something that’ll have me in stitches laughing for the rest of the day. He’s a rad polite, humble lad who’s into good horror Manga, Ninja Turtles, 80’s movies, animals, and loads of other good stuff.
He fits perfectly in at all our skate sessions, quietly contemplating a trick, and by the end of the session we usually end up walking away with some footage and everyone saying “I can’t believe Nolan did that, that was nuts”. That’s happened a few times over the past few months, he’s been on a tear for this one. Can’t wait to share it with you guys. But for now, congrats Nolan! We’re really stoked to be able to ride your pro boards!
Photo’s Taylor Ballard, Words - Fos, Thanks Baker Street for hosting and Nolans Girlfriend Kaylee for helping us to surprise him.