Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution makes an interesting observation about the nature of progress. Darwin correctly theorised that evolution wasn’t a steady, constant phenomenon but was instead characterised by what he called ‘Punctuated Equilibrium’- meaning that there are periods when not much happens and then all of a sudden big changes shudder into view, creating a new epoch as they do.
Ph: Haruta
Step forward Arisa Trew.
Going into 2025 lying in 5th place in the WSR, the 14-year-old from Cairns, Australia, just had the most ceiling-shattering year in the recent history not just of skateboarding but action sports more generally.
Ph: Kanights
Beginning 2024 just outside of podium contention with a 4th at WST Dubai, she then went foot-to-the-floor on a spree including- but not limited to- two OQS Park victories, an Olympic gold medal, two X Games golds, receiving a Laureus Action Sportsperson Of The Year award, being crowned Vert World Champion at WSG Italia in Rome- and then rounding out the year by winning Bowl, Vert and Best trick at Exposure.
Ph: Atiba
Notwithstanding all of that, she also put down a history-making marker last May by becoming the first woman ever to do the 900.
Ph: Haruta
For the purposes of comparison, when Jose Yanez did the first BMX backflip back in 1984, it blew open the doors of possibility and ushered in a new era of that activity which is still growing today (Ryan Williams just did Backflip Quintuple Tailwhip).
Ph: Kanights
Every skateboarder will remember how first video and then video games created new vistas of progression and consistency in skateboarding- it seems to be the case that once the mental boundaries are broken, the cavalcade of advancement begins again with a sudden rush- in different directions, all at once.
Ph: Kanights
In that respect, Arisa’s pioneering 900 will be remembered not just as a watershed moment for her personally but for women’s achievement generally and skateboarding specifically.
We caught up with her on the Pincio viewpoint overlooking Rome to break down the attempts and commitment required to master- and the secrets to landing- the highest peaks of rotational immortality in the world’s most dynamic action sport.
Ph: Kanights
Greatness moves amongst us in these times: let us recognise it when it does.