Some skateboarders join the World Skateboarding Tour as already-established names, and others are stars born along the way. One of those stars created during the WST has been Tate Carew.
Ph: Kanights
The 20-year-old from Point Loma in San Diego impressed mightily on his WST debut in Sharjah back in early 2023, with stalefishes bent way up behind his back to reckless tailslap on the way in and a trick arsenal borne of an early life in the concrete skatepark heartland of the world.
Ph: Bryce Kanights
On his personal journey to becoming a Paris Olympian, Tate made every final on the WST including winning big in Shanghai when he needed to, followed up by another podium in Budapest right before the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Ph: Kenji
Along the way, he also turned pro for Tony Hawk’s Birdhouse Skateboards.
It is a rare and magical thing to witness someone get better- and better- and better- over a space of months, and so we thought it would be radness personified to get the guy himself to tell us what’s up at this juncture in his life.
Currently lying third in the World Skateboarding Ranking, this is the man of the hour on slip-ons, beating Tom Schaar- and his father skating with Salba.
If that doesn’t reel you in, there’s no hope for you.
Ph: Kanights
Hi Tate, can I ask you to start by giving us some of your vital statistics- when you started skating, that kind of thing?
I started skating when I was five years old. I grew up skating around my neighbourhood, then I went to Ocean Beach skatepark when I was six and couldn’t get enough of the transition side of skateboarding. Coronado skatepark and the Clairemont YMCA became my favourites- and ended up being where I spent most of my young years skating.
Ph: Kanights
Is it true your Dad used to skate Uplands with the Alba brothers?
Yes, my Dad met Salba in Junior High. They used to skate backyard pools and Pipeline. My Dad’s love was always for surfing, but he enjoyed messing around on a skateboard. 
Ph: Atiba
You made every finals on the Road To Paris but you also seemed to progress personally as the Tour did- is that fair to say?
For sure! I’d say my style of skating is constantly changing but I learned something after ever Tour stop and made adjustments accordingly.
Ph: Kanights
From an Olympic medal perspective clearly Keegan Palmer remains the guy to beat, but Tom Schaar is on the warpath right now; what’s it like experiencing that first-hand?
It’s been great to see. He was always one of my favourites while I was growing up. To be on the Olympic team with him and see all his success this year was incredible. I’d say he and I have gotten pretty close recently, and I hope we can continue to grow as skaters and friends. But I’m coming for him.
Ph: Atiba
We asked Viktor Solmunde this- did you have a personal favourite stop on the World Skateboarding Tour running up to Paris?
The second Dubai contest. That was my favourite park, ever- and to know they tore it down after bummed me out so much. Ironically, that was where I felt my skating was the best but it was my worst placement of the year.
Ph: Kanights
Skating Park in slip-ons is quite a declaration of intent: don’t you get toe burns when you knee-slide? Where do you stand on those versus Half- Cabs for skating in?
I like Half-Cabs for street skating since I roll my ankle all the time jumping stairs or even skating flat… and they help prevent those petty injuries. But slip ons for vert, park, bowl, anything with transition… will always be my choice. They skate so good. Never had toe burn before, didn’t even know that was a thing.
Ph: Atiba
The Creature website currently lists 26 teamriders, Birdhouse has 10- was that a consideration when you moved board sponsors?
No- not at all.
Ph: Kanights
It was interesting to watch the USA put its foot to the floor when it mattered during the Olympic Qualifying Series- it almost seemed like a pushback against growing Brazilian domination- did you get any sense of responsibility to represent the heartland’s skateboarding heritage against all these upstart nations, who are growing in confidence every day?
I think the different countries feed off of each other and seeing them skate well makes me want to skate that much better. USA and Brazil have very different team dynamics and skateboarding styles, and at the end of the day it comes down to the judging. I do envy their team dynamic…
Ph: Kanights
You mentioned that you started skating a lot of Vert prior to WST Dubai- what does that improve for you in terms of Park skating?
It didn’t help as much as I thought at one point- but it certainly helps with confidence, downsizing to the World Skateboarding Tour's small deep ends.
Ph: Kanights
Have you ever hung up on one of your stalefish tail slaps?
I’ve hung up at least once on every trick I’ve ever done.
Ph: Kanights
Bluntslides round corners: aren’t you worried you will flatspot a wheel and have to complete a run sounding like Fred Flinstone?
That’s why I bring extra wheels to all the events. Hasn’t happened yet, though!
Ph: Atiba
Last question is always the same- what would you like to convey to anyone reading this?
2028.
Ph: Kenji