By Samantha Bache

Meet Helena Long a London-based professional skateboarder known for her fearless style and infectious passion for skateboarding. With sponsorships from Vans Europe, Slam City Skates, and more, Helena has carved out a powerful space in the skate community as both an athlete and an inspiring role model for female skaters worldwide. From mastering challenging tricks to supporting the growth of women in skateboarding, Helena’s journey is one of resilience, creativity, and unstoppable stoke. We’re thrilled to share her story with you.

What inspired you to start skateboarding, and how did you get into the skate scene in London?

Well I’m actually a born and raised Londoner so when I saw some guys skating outside of my secondary school I thought I’d give it a go. I had a skateboard knocking about at home that I’d bought with some pocket money I’d saved up and then that was it really, I was pretty hooked. We’d then spend the weekend travelling about the city with £2 travel cards to find spots to skate. From there you end up bumping into likeminded skaters about town too and watching some pretty incredible stuff go down.

Who were your early skate idols or role models, and how have they influenced your style?

Honestly my friends were my early skate idols and still are. We were growing up together and watching each other’s skating style evolve and working out what tricks we could do and learn. I feel that we would bounce off each other a lot but also later getting into watching Skate vids before we went out skating for the hype. I really remember Zero New Blood and seeing Marisa Dal Santo for the first time. I bought a black and red striped jumper from camden because of her. Still one of the best parts of all time too.

How would you describe your skating style, and what tricks or spots do you love the most?

Honestly I feel like my style is based on my ability and how I can approach a skate a spot to make it make sense for me. I like going to a spot or finding one and then thinking about how I can apply my tricks to it and how it may not have been skated before.

Is there a particular trick or moment on your board that you’re most proud of?

I can’t think of any particular tricks or moments but maybe getting this trick at London Bridge that ended up on the cover of Grey Skate Mag. Took me wayyy too long and incredible patience from Sirus who was filming and my friends who sat about in support or were handing me my board back to try again. My pal Zach Riley then got an amazing clip afterwards and it was just such a beautiful hype moment. Great day in the end.

What does a typical day in your life look like when you’re training or filming?

At the moment I’ve really been focussing on getting my knees strong again as I’ve put them through the ringer over the last few years. So I’ve been going to physio about 3 times a week, gym 3-4times and then skating my local in between. Or if there’s a skate trip or event I’ll be trying my best to do some warm up routines before having a go at getting something on my board. Always trying to ice afterwards too!

How do you balance skateboarding with other aspects of your life, like work or personal time?

I’m very fortunate to have a very flexible part time job which fills in the gaps when I’m not on a trip. Other than that it’s a constant juggle between physio, skating and band practices. I prefer to skate week days in the afternoons or mornings when it’s chill so then I have evenings free to hang with friends. Sometimes I’ll work weekends too. Quite like avoiding peak times where possible.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a female skateboarder, and how did you overcome it?

I feel like I’ve pretty fortunate not to have faced too many challenges as I feel I’ve always been incredibly welcomed and supported by my friends in the skate scene. I guess there’s always been a small few I’ve encountered over the years that are quite quick to judge me based on my skating ability being a female. But I feel like I’m my own worst critic anyway.

I actually think the biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome is being taken seriously by doctors when I tell them I’m a professional skateboarder and my knee was really in need of an MRI. I unfortunately struggled a lot over a long period of time to get the treatment I really needed and spent a solid year and a half trying to skate on a really swollen knee with a lot of torn cartilage around my bones and meniscus. We’re getting there now after a lot of personal time and investment.

Have you experienced any setbacks or injuries, and how did they shape your approach to skating?

I’ve had surgeries on both my knees now and so over time I’ve had to adapt my skating. I guess I tend to have a bit more of a creative approach in the way I have to come up with alternative ways to skate a spot usually avoiding heavy impact where possible.

How important is the female skate community to you, and what changes have you noticed in the scene for women over the years?

I guess by default I naturally fall into the female skate community category and after finding the tiny female UK skate scene many moons ago, I realised just how special it is. Skateboarding itself will always be special and having started when it wasn’t crazy popular at the time, the female skate scene felt even smaller and close knit. It’s crazy to see that it’s pretty normal to see another girl at a skatepark these days. That just wasn’t a thing when I started. So that’s amazing to see. Also the skill level of female skaters these days is through the roof! Boundaries are being pushed for sure.

What advice would you give to girls who want to start skateboarding but feel intimidated or unsure?

Go for it. Skateparks and skateboarding definitely have a bit of an unsaid etiquette, but if you’re giving it a go regardless of your ability, other skaters will see and definitely be supportive. We were all beginners once and we all know how difficult it is and how determined you have to be to get on a board. There weren’t many skateparks about when I started and so I’d spend most of my time working on the basics on a smooth bit of pavement or road on my street. Getting to grips with pushing, turning and generally just cruising about before heading to a skatepark might help build confidence but, there are also a lot of people out there who’d be happy to help if you ask.

Can you share what it’s like working with brands like Vans and Slam City Skates? What do you look for in a sponsorship?

I’ve been supported by Vans for such a long time now and incredibly grateful to get to skate with and work with some of my best friends. It never really feels like work because at the end of the day I’m fortunate enough to being doing the thing I love. Slam City Skates is London’s first ever skate shop, so brands like Vans and shops like Slam that are so inherently ingrained in skating naturally, make it an easy decision as brands to join forces with if they’ll have me! I look for friends and surrounding myself with likeminded people when it comes to skating for a brand I guess. A weird and wonderful family vibe.

How do you stay motivated and inspired to keep pushing your limits and growing your career?

I just love skating and I find nothing more rewarding than getting to film clips for a project and in doing so I’m always on the look out for new spots and new challenges. Also just skating with friends who push me to learn new tricks too. Daryl Dominguez needs a big shout out of late as he’s always throwing me new trick idea challenges these days. Sometimes even trying to get lines together and taking it in turns to film each other. Super hyped on my Daryl Stockwell Skatepark sessions at the moment. Big legend.

Outside of skateboarding, what are some of your favourite hobbies or ways to unwind?

I play the drums in a band called Upset Stomach. Getting to a practice room with those guys really helps me unwind. Quite like skateboarding, I’m really focussed on playing well and in sync with everyone so I can’t really think about much else. I also love going to the cinema. Real escapism to another world in a comfy chair and dark room where you’ve put your phone away and have no other distractions other than eating snacks maybe….

What’s a fun or surprising fact about you that most people don’t know?

I actually really love maths and always like to do maths puzzles on my travels. I’ve also been playing the drums longer than I have been skateboarding and used to do trampolining for about 6years. Still love to do a cheeky backflip here and there if a trampoline comes-a-calling.

What goals or projects are you excited about in the near future?

In the nearest future I’m excited about getting back to street skating more with stronger knees and filming another part. I don’t tend to have long term goals but to be able to push myself and to get back to skating as much as possible at a level I’m happy with is definitely a goal of mine.

How do you see yourself evolving as a skater and as a role model in the skate community?

I guess just continuing to travel and meet new communities across the world, be inspired by them as much as they might be by the skate scene over here. Also just to push the street skating side of things as I still feel like the female street skaters are still hard to come by.

Interview with Helena Long

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