High Tension Offer Their Best Tips On Carving Up The Skate Park

High Tension headline Skate Rock All Ages at Fitzroy Bowling Club on 7 July as part of Leaps & Bounds, sharing the stage with Horrible People and Folkie & The Punk. We asked Karina Utomo and Lauren Hammel of High Tension to teach us how to shred.

1. Never listen to the haters for questioning your desire to shred. Always give it your best try - fall like a champion and rise like a skate lord.

A practical way to build your confidence is to practice without the presence of any bin lords/the potential of unwanted attention. ie. try Melbourne Museum at night with a pack of like-minded learners for safety in numbers and falling over together. Once you’ve achieved your desired level of confidence, simply skate everywhere!

2. Bring an esky full of snacks and beverages to reward yourself for coming up with innovative new tricks.

Self-incentive and self-reward will get you doing an ollie over the bins in no time.

3. Some companies use racist artwork and artwork that is degrading to women — don't buy it.

There are so many great companies making ripping decks, support them instead.

4. If you want to learn to drop in, grab some pads and your tallest skater mate who knows how drop in.

Have them stand on the ramp and hold their hands. Put your front foot on the bolts and go for it. Keep trying until you don't have to hold hands anymore, then high five one another and go grab yourself a snack because now you can drop in, you little shreddog!

5. Blast Propagandhi in your headphones.

If you see the person you like, bust out a hardflip in front of them, offer to buy them a burrito and a milkshake from the kiosk and they will want to be your mosh mate until the end.

6. While you’re at it – create a playlist on your smartphone or listening device with songs that make you feel cool when you’re having a shred. Be your own Tony Hawk!

Some suggestions to get you started: Holy Moses, Outright, Bridge Burner, Napalm Death, Carcass.