Sky Brown
06.11.24
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Despite being just 15 years old, Sky Brown’s impact and influence on skateboarding has arguably changed its course by challenging conventions. Her desire to excel is balanced by a love of skateboarding as a mode of expression and a symbol of what’s possible for herself but for the culture at large.
That fierce determination and the nature of her all-in style have led to injuries that could have curtailed her young career. For Sky, the bruises and breaks are part of the journey and only strengthen her resolve. With summer approaching, she’s excited to tell her story at the games and through her new Nike SB Pogo colorway.
How has dealing with significant injuries impacted your career and mindset?
Overcoming injuries has taught me a lot. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them, you know? Having that big accident back in 2020 made me stronger. Falling and getting back up is a lesson skateboarding teaches you but you still have to send it 100%. Life’s a rollercoaster and I’m still young and still have so much to learn.
What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I’m definitely looking forward to the summer games. That’s really exciting. I’m a first alternate for surfing and then competing in skateboarding, of course. I’m looking forward to putting on an amazing show, to push skateboarding to another level, and close the gender gap. I want to show people my style and how beautiful surfing and skating are. I just can’t wait for people to see how much the level has changed since Tokyo and how beautiful the culture of skateboarding is.
What's a typical day for you and how do you balance training, skating, and everything on your schedule?
I start my day early and try to be the first one in the ocean. Then I come back home, eat, do some school work, and then skate or surf depending on how the waves are. Surfing and skating are a lifestyle for me, but I find time to mix it all in and maintain balance.
Has there been anything you’ve taken from surfing that you’ve been able to apply to skating?
In surfing, you have to battle for your wave and work with nature a bit more than in skating. They both help each other. My surf style has come into my skating because it’s helped with my power and flow, but then I get to bring my airs and technical tricks to surfing and bring them both together.
What attracted you to the Pogo?
They’re really comfortable and I can feel my board well. The board feel is so important to me. They’re my favorite skate shoe. It’s also a shoe that you can wear when you’re just hanging out, so I love that.
What was your overall concept for customizing the Pogo through your lens?
The shoe has a samurai theme. Samurai are strong, brave, and powerful, so that’s the story I chose to tell through the shoe design. Having my name embroidered in Japanese Kanji on the shoe brings out that strong but beautiful theme as well. I’m proud of it because there’s a lot of me in the shoe. I go through a lot of shoelaces, so I wanted to have my Pogo come with multiple laces. They look really sick.
What does having a colorway and design represent to you and your career?
Nike has done so much for me and having my own colorway has been a big dream of mine. I couldn’t be more thankful. I get to wear them, people get to wear them, and best of all, I get to express myself with the shoe and my skating together.
The Pogo by Sky Brown releases in select Skateshops and Nike.com June 14.
