The 16-year-old used to surf in the Gold Coast, Australia, where she grew up, but turned to skating four years ago. Since moving to Singapore for her studies last year, she’s been roped into the skate team of local board sports company The Ride Side.

“Skateboarding is very creative. Every skater has their own style and way of doing the same move or trick. And it’s something that offers a lot of life lessons – things like resilience and determination. The mentality towards skating, especially in Asian countries can be a little conservative, but once you try it, you’ll learn that it’s really liberating.”

Wool drill pants, and metal headband with strass and glass pearls (worn as necklace), Chanel. All other clothes and accessories, her own

Polyamide canvas coat, Chanel. All other clothes and accessories, her own

This 22-year-old independent artist has been skating for eight years and is a member of The Ride Side’s skate team. 

“Skate is a culture and I can understand why some purists might see the introduction of skateboarding as an Olympic sport as a sign of it going commercial. I think that it’s helped to get more people interested in skating though and that’s a great thing. It’s not ‘poseur’ to want to pick up skating. Everyone started out as beginners and we are always learning.”

Cotton jersey tank top, Dolce & Gabbana. Ripstop nylon jogger pants, Kenzo. All accessories, his own

Celine by Hedi Slimane deerskin vest with metal studs, Celine. All accessories, his own

Savannah, 22, is a scientist who’s waiting to enter med school and has been skating for more than six years, progressing to the ramp, rails, ledges and technical tricks last year.

“Yes, being on the board can be scary, but stress comes in both negative and positive forms. In a positive form, it has the ability to improve athletic performance – specifically enhance one’s motivation, adaptation and dynamic reactions towards his or her environment, ultimately leading to a stronger mental perception of things – so go for it. You’ve got nothing to lose. Falling is part and parcel and once you get over that, you’ll be fine.”

Celine by Hedi Slimane woven canvas jacket, Celine. All other clothes and accessories, her own

Celine by Hedi Slimane shearling coat, Celine. Patent leather pants, Bottega Veneta. All other clothes and accessories, her own

Mervin, 25, is a tattoo artist who’s been skating for nine years and counting.

“There are no standards in skateboarding. You don’t have to, say, be able to do a particular trick to be considered good because what’s difficult to one skater might be easy to another… Skating is a no-judgement zone and really all comes down to having fun. The more skateboarders there are, the better the world will be.”

Nylon track jacket and matching pants, Balenciaga. Shoes, his own

Polyester turtleneck and cotton-blend pants, Moncler. Socks and shoes, his own

This 19-year-old model and member of The Ride Side’s skate team has been skating since he was 15.

“A skateboard is a plank with four wheels that lets you do anything… And if you’re a real skater, you won’t care about what others say about what you do because you skate for yourself.”

Mohair and wool sweater, Dior Men. Pants, stylist’s own. Jewellery, his own

Amii, 22, an aspiring musician (she plays guitar and piano), picked up skating five years ago.

“It’s a stereotype that skateboarding is a boy’s thing. We girls who skate are as strong and passionate as the guys in the community and I think that it goes against the spirit of sportsmanship to define who can play or is better at a sport according to their gender. So a message to all girls out there who want to try skateboarding, but are afraid to: Do not be. You’ll never know what it’s really like until you try it. And we will always welcome you to the family.”

Shearling cropped jacket, Givenchy. All other clothes and accessories, her own

Photography Stefan Khoo, assisted by Alif Director Jasper Tan Camera Assistant Muhd Aidil Grip Isaac Anthony Styling Damian Huang Hair EC/Kizuki/+Lim Makeup Sha Shamsi

A version of this article first appeared in the October 2021 Life Is Beautiful edition of FEMALE