Pass~Port, Vans, and Build Up Skate Christmas Island
Words by Jack Dowden. Video by Jonathan Fitzgerald. Photos by Thomas Robinson.
Christmas Island; an unconventional skateboard destination. This video captures a week spent exploring the remote Indian Ocean island. Navigating our way through its terraced settlements, we discovered a plethora of spots mixed between red crabs, blowholes, coral reefs, and coconuts. We hope you enjoy the documentation of our time spent in this beautiful, distant paradise.
Featuring Adelaide Norris, Callum Paul, Jack Kirk, Trent Evans, Jack Dowden.
Be prepared for bad weather forcing the plane to turn back, and if it does make it, your bags may not.
Supplies are prioritized over comfort’ was the advice given as we departed Perth. Brilliant, what a way to set the unpredictability for the next week. ABer a mainland fuel stop,a whale shark sighting, and a brief layover on Cocos Islands, the clouds cleared on our final descent, revealing Christmas Island’s jagged coastal cliffs edged with tropical rainforest, allowing us a scenic landing into a warm welcome to the Vans team from the community.
Remote trips are always a gamble, but this one certainly raised the stakes. Our spot knowledge of the island was minimal, except a few we had pinned through street view. The risk was high, and there was a real chance that we would come back empty handed. Fortunately, we were able to find a pleth- ora of spots lined along the terraced sea elements on the island. The following pages will showcase some highlights of an absurd and unorthodox idea that ended up being an unforgettable week in an extremely unique skateboard destination
We picked up our cars and hit the road. The excite- ment when driving around the island searching for anything remotely skateable was all me. Navigating our way through rainforest roads covered in stub- born crabs was an unusual experience. We were visi<ng outside of the period, but roads are regularly closed during the migration period while the island is inundated with millions of red crabs march- ing from their rainforest burrows to the ocean. Obviously this is a significant event, and as such, crab themes are common on island. Most notably, the Crabbie Cabbie and the CI Robbers.
One passing comment from a local put us on the search for a decom- missioned indoor skatepark in a shed that was certain to ‘cave in’ at any moment. ABer a few phone calls, we had access, and were welcomed to a deteriorated metal skatepark covered in a thick layer of an unknown particle which definitely did not do our lungs any favours while cleaning up. The ramps were in bad shape, with holes and sharp exposed edges spot- ted across each obstacle. We spent a couple of hours in there and moved on before somebody got seriously hurt. The park had not been used in years but was once a haven for locals to escape the unpredictable weather the island is accustomed to. It was a surprising discovery, and a great way to experience some island skate- board history.
Christmas Island has a skatepark, and the community loves skateboarding. Each afternoon that we delivered a workshop, more kids would arrive and impress us with their eagerness to learn. We would see this interest around town too, with kids beg- ging to use our boards, and adults cracking up at us falling over, completely bewildered at the process of filming a trick. Mind you, it does feel a bit silly when you are 50 meters from a stun- ning coral reef. Since our departure, the skateboard program has been going strong, with a skatepark program led by com- munity members being delivered regularly to many participants.
The day started with catching a monster wahoo in the morning before jumping in the ocean with a school of giant trevally. Sashimi for lunch and then a noseslide on sundown below the papaya, banana and coconut trees. It was probably the best day I have had on a trip.
We spotted a pixelated image of this abandoned pool through google searches well before we arrived and for some reason thought it was going to be the find of the year. We initially plugged the trip based on it. Unfortunately and I guess unsurprisingly, it was a shock- er. All was forgoMen about quickly though aBer taking in our surroundings. The location was absolutely stunning, and the birds were pulling on a show, so we grabbed a seat poolside and took in our view. Shortly after, the caretaker appeared and gracefully serenaded us with an impromptu saxophone set as we feasted.
Getting the location of a backyard pool is usually associated with hostility, secrecy, and espionage, but that is not the case on Christmas Island. The owner said we could just roll on over and he was not even there. It did feel a bit strange when family members began to arrive home to find us in their empty pool, but they hardly even noticed, or cared. (Callum)
I swear it happens on every trip... I find 'my kicky'. I spotted this one on the first day as we were scoping for spots. Rough bank, no run up, crusty as hell. I claimed the kickflip so I had to follow through. I'll pat myself on the back, as it was the first skate photo of the trip. I remember rolling away going, thank fuck for that. (Trent)
It was so hot this day. I like this spot. The squat dunny up the hill from it, not so much. (Adelaide)
The week with Vans on Christmas Island was full of jetty jumping, snorkeling, hiking, skateboarding, fishing, community workshops and coconut collecting. We were overwhelmed with the generosity of the Christmas Island community, who constantly ensured that we were comfortable during our stay. Whether it was helping with brooms and blowers, snorkeling gear, lure tips, cartons of cola, locating skate spots or taking us for fishing trips on the boat, the com- munity rallied behind us to make sure we made the most of our time on island. Until next time.
Get your hands on Issue 73, where this story appears at length in print, just as nature intended, here.
