Tobey McIntosh: 'Skateboarding is culture, not just competition'

From the first time I rolled through Norman O Houston Park, feeling the wind against my face, I knew I had found something different. Skateboarding offers freedom, unlike traditional sports, where jerseys and uniforms define the people participating. There were no rules about what to wear, no restrictions on how to move, just an open canvas for expression. It was a world where I moved through the city in a way that felt uniquely mine. 

Skateboarding, like any culture, is not just about individual movement; it’s about community. That’s why I started Crenshaw Skate Club (CSC) – to uplift and empower inner-city skaters who, like me, didn’t always see themselves reflected in skate culture. At first, I thought of CSC as something local, something rooted in my neighborhood. Over time, I realized its reach extended far beyond the streets of South Central. Skaters and non-skaters across the world resonated with the message of representation and breaking barriers. It was never just about skating; it was about showing people they could defy expectations and carve out spaces where they belonged.

That feeling of breaking free from limits is what I associate with air. Air is movement; air is weightlessness; air is the ability to exist without constraints. Every time I put on a pair of Air Max’s, I feel a little closer to that sensation – like I’m floating above the weight of expectations. If I could redefine what Nike Air means, I’d want to push that idea further to create a shoe that makes you feel like you’re flying: no restrictions, no gravity, just possibility. 

The idea of possibility is at the heart of everything I do. I want kids to look at my journey and realize that circumstances do not bind them. I grew up skating the streets of LA, a city that became my playground and inspired me to build a brand that speaks to inner-city skaters worldwide. My story isn’t about following a blueprint but rather making my own. My goal isn’t for the next generation to start businesses or pick up a skateboard just because I did. I want them to take whatever fuels their passion and push it as far as they can. 

Possibility isn’t just about individual success; it’s about contributing something larger than yourself. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support of those around me – the people who saw potential in me, uplifted me and pushed me forward when I needed it most. Being part of a community means showing up, being present and putting energy into the spaces that shaped you. It’s about listening, building and allowing others to thrive. That’s why I create clothes as a form of storytelling, a way to capture and represent the people who inspire me. My community taught me how to turn what I love into something bigger than myself. 

Whenever I need motivation, I remind myself that my journey is bigger than me. Young people are watching, looking to see if someone who looks like them and comes from where they come from can walk through doors that once felt impenetrable. The goal is not just to show them that these feats are possible, but to redefine what is possible in the first place. Every step forward is more than movement; it reshapes perception, challenges the status quo and lays a new foundation in real-time. I keep going because every door I push open is not just for me but for those who will walk through next. 

In 10 years, I want skateboarding to be accessible to all. There is no gatekeeping, no brokers, just a space where anyone from any background can pick up a board and feel the sense of freedom I felt on my first ride. Beyond that, I want us to rethink skate culture altogether. The future of skating is moving toward a sport that emphasizes competing. But skating isn’t just about competition. It’s about creativity, community and breaking every boundary in our way.