Skateboarding is about obsessive repetition. One look at the distressed spots on pro skater Bryce Golder’s All Stars conveys the dogged commitment to repetitive actions. The rips in his shoes are the physical manifestation of muscle memory, every trick inscribed on the surface of his sneakers. That tenacity and persistence extends to Bryce’s practice as a skate photographer, a secondary outlet dedicated to the pursuit of images that express the limitless expressions of skateboarding. His actions on and off the board have taken him across the globe, and afforded a career fuelled by creativity and exploration. The secret? According to Bryce, it’s about sticking close to your mates and ensuring fun comes first.
True style classics are hard to find. Of course, there are the exceptions that manage to transcend the fickleness of trends and emerge as wardrobe staples that traverse generations and subcultures without losing their allure. The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is one such staple, a classic sneaker that’s inspired countless individualsfor almost a century. Capturing the imagination of creative’s from all walks of life, the humble All Staroffers a blank canvas for self-expression. With that in mind, we spoke with six individuals from a widerange of creative disciplines about their journeys, both physically and professionally.
Hey Bryce, how are you?
I’m super. Just got back from a little road trip up the coast from Sydney to Brisbane with the Cons guys for one of those Cons projects. Always fun times.
When did you first pick up a board?
Damn, a while back – probably like ‘99 or 2000? So, like 15 plus years. Can’t complain one bit!
What initially drew you to skating?
I don’t know really. Just my friends’ older brothers did it and I guess you just look up to them at that age.
When did you start considering that potentially this could be a full time career?
It’s never really been a career as such it’s just always just been skating with my friends. It’s pretty dope to have that freedom to just cruise around and just do whatever.
What keeps you interested all these years later?
Just skating with all my friends. Everyone that I started skating with are still around doing their time. It’s sick see that, and to just see your friends getting better and learning new stuff just makes it so fun. Just messing around really.
Mainstream interest in skateboarding is notoriously cyclical, in your experience how much has the scene changed over the years?
I guess it’s just coming back to its roots. Like, it’s becoming fun again. People come [and] skate whatever, just any little thing as long as you’re having fun people enjoy watching it. Anything funny and interesting skaters just eat it up and you don’t have to just jump off the tallest thing you can find, which is always good for your knees.
You’ve had the opportunity to travel extensively as part of your career, has skateboarding ever taken you anywhere that you never expected end up?
Yeah man, I’ve been really lucky to travel all over the place; America, China, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and even luckier again to have been able go back a number of times. Maybe I should go somewhere new next time. Mexico with the RVCA guys was a pretty crazy one. I never thought I would ever end up at The Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico City on a skate trip.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened on the road?
Damn there’s just been too many and I’m pretty shithouse at telling stories. Just all the camping trips always end up in some pretty funny situations, never knowing when you’re going to set up tent – or maybe even Japan with 16 friends running amuck around the city, no one knowing a word of Japanese.
You’re an accomplished skate photographer as well. Does engaging with skateboarding from behind the lens keep you motivated?
Yeah, I’m really into photography. I’m hyped to shoot skateboarding it’s something I love and enjoy, and I really just try to make my friends skating look as amazing as it is in real life. It for sure motivates me to do more both on and off the board.
Do you find it important to have multiple creative outlets?
For sure, I don’t know anyone who’s just into one thing, there’s always different outlets. It’s what make us human, and it just keeps things interesting.
What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in your All Stars?
Too many memories! I’ve had heaps of pairs. The main memory would be just wearing new Chucks in down at Lincoln Square on Friday nights with good friends and cold beers, as the sun goes down.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
The fact that it’s never felt like a career.
For more in the series:
Made By You: Miri Matsufuji
Made By You: Jimmy Hurlston of Jimmy’s Burgers
Made By You: Lee Spielman of Trashtalk