When we traveled to the Helsinki HELride a few weeks ago, we certainly were not expecting to find the kind of skate community that we did. We were anticipating a few classic Euro plazas and a handful of random crews of kids still trying to figure it out. As soon as we got to the capital city we found out we were completely wrong. Finland’s skaters can hold their own against the rest of Europe and definitely could give any other city in the continent a run for its money.
Just to give you a taste of what kinds of skaters Finland has to offer, both Jaakko Ojanen and Eetu Toropainen were born and raised there. Over the past few years, they both managed to get the attention of big sponsors: Jaakko turned pro, and the Finnish duo dropped a split video part. All of their efforts, along with the rest of the Finland skate scene, have made Helsinki a bit of a destination for Euro skate trips.
During our downtime from the contest, the boys gave us an impromptu tour and demo at spots all across the city that would shit on every guided tour your grandparents went on after retirement.
The Shop
Related Posts
-
MOSHPITS, BURNOUTS & THE ANDERSON FAMILY AT THE 2ND ANNUAL RAPID FEST
We met up with Jake Anderson, Mike Anderson and their parents at Rapid Fest - a skate and hardcore music gathering.
-
NEIGHBORHOODS: STATEN ISLAND WITH MARCO HERNANDEZ AND LEO HEINERT
We took the ferry to Staten Island to scope out spots at the forgotten borough.
-
G-FILES 003
The Genesis crew just keeps getting better and better.
-
WATCH TIMESCAN 2, A HOMIE VIDEO THAT FEATURES 54 DIFFERENT SKATERS ACROSS JAPAN
"I never planned on filming for four years straight. It just happened, and I’m glad it did."
-
WE GOT THE MAD CIRCLE CREW TOGETHER TO WATCH “5IVE FLAVORS” 23 YEARS LATER
Karl Watson, Bobby Puleo, Pontus Alv and the rest of the Mad Circle crew jumped on a giant video call to rehash memories from 1998.
-
RAW TAPES: NOT ANOTHER SWAMPFEST EDIT
Somewhere in between Woodstock 99 and a redneck civil war re-enactment.
-
THE EVOLUTION OF… THE WEST LOS ANGELES COURTHOUSE
We couldn't do this series without acknowledging the LA proving ground of the last 30 years.
-
WHO ARE THE SKATERS RESURRECTING ROCK CLIMBING IN UPPER MANHATTAN?
We met up with Joel Popoteur, an employee at Supreme and long-time skater to learn about his outdoor movement.
Comments
Popular
-
KEITH HUFNAGEL ON THE FUTURE OF HUF
We heard a rumor that HUF was going out of business, so we talked with boss man himself to find out.
-
SKATERS RECOMMEND THEIR FAVORITE SKATE PANTS
We hit up some pro skaters and Jenkem contributors known for their 'fits to offer recommendations.
-
Louie, Mason, Reynolds, Nikolai & more: NYC With The Skullcandy Team
The crew that reads like a greatest hits album stops by the Brooklyn Banks.
-
GETTING KINKY WITH DANIEL VARGAS
Daniel Vargas' philosophy on whips, chains and getting choked out.
-
WHAT’S IT LIKE FILMING A SKATE PART WHEN YOU’RE DEAF?
Austin Oertel's part dropped in East Coast full-length "Timewise", and we chatted about how his deafness affects his skateboarding.
August 3, 2022 2:51 pm
YES!!!!
August 3, 2022 10:38 pm
Love this crew!