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Photo: Malfa-Kowalski
Australia has never had a problem producing unique talents who bring finesse, style and power to the table, but few have caught the world’s eye with the intensity of Shane O’Neill. This casual young wizard has earned a central space in the spotlight in just a few short years by executing only the most difficult with a light-footed nonchalance that most veterans would kill for. Nike SB is proud to have been a long-time supporter of this legend-in-the-making, so sit back and take in a little Q&A with Shane.
1) Is it true that many Aussies with Irish surnames are descended from unruly outlaws who were deported to Australia for causing too much ruckus in the homeland way back when?
I have no idea about all that! Sounds crazy!
(*The eastern half of Australia was claimed by the British in 1770 as a penal colony with more than 160,000 convicts deported there due to overcrowding of prisons in Britain and it’s colonies.)
2) You recently went marauding around the marble heavens of Asia — where’d you go, what did you do, where can people see what you got done?
First of all, China is the best place to skate for me, hands down! I love it! We went to Shanghai for a week just to film for the “Not Another Transworld Video” project which will be out on iTunes and DVD on June 21st. It was such an amazing place, everything is marble and we didn’t really get kicked out of any spots.
3) A few favorite Aussie skaters of all time?
Jeremy Correa, Nathan Jackson, Tommy Fynn, Dennis Durrant, Chima Ferguson, Lewis Marnell, Sammy Winter, Luke Crocker, Nick Boserio, Jack Crook… there are just so many great skaters out there!
4) Three things that are better in Australia?
Bars.
Food.
People.
5) Three things that are better in the States?
Skate spots.
Wildness.
Business, haha.
6) Favorite SB shoes to skate lately?
Janoski’s all day.
7) How many baseball hats do you own? How do decide if it’s a forwards or backwards moment? Have you ever seen the movie “Over The Top”? And who do you support when playoff season comes around?
I don’t have that many. I use Fourstar hats. I probably have like two baseball hats — I don’t know anything about baseball or care about it. I just like the hats! I don’t think I have seen that movie — what’s it about?
(* “Over The Top” is a Sylvester Stallone arm wrestling drama in which when he turned his baseball hat backwards, it meant business.)
8) Your favorite video part to watch? How about a favorite that might surprise people?
My favorite is Koston’s “Yeah Right” part, but I’m into all types of skating. Dan Drehobl’s “Free Your Mind” part was sick!
Questions about your SB team mates!
9) If you had to wear one for an entire month, would you go with Lewis’ dreads or Chet’s beard at it’s most intense?
I would go for the dreads. Lewis has tight dreads!
10) If you could have one, would you rather have Lance’s McTwist or Gino’s push?
Gino’s push is amazing, but to be able to do a McTwist would feel sooo amazing, let alone being able to do it like Lance, so I choose the McTwist!
11) It’s late, you’re on the road, you have a demo early in the morning, and you have first choice of roommates for the night — who do you go with?
Cory Kennedy, P-Rod or Ishod.
12) Now it’s late, you’re on the road, you have a free day the next day, and you have first choice of roommates for the night — who do you go with?
Same dudes, but everyone on Nike is tight — so anyone!!!
13) What projects, video parts, interviews, etc. are you working on? What can your fans look forwards to?
Well, the TWS vid comes out on the 21st of June. Then I have a pro spotlight coming out in Transworld soon after that. I’ll be in all the Street League’s throughout the summer, which is on live ESPN, so check it out if you can! Other than that, just skating and having fun. Hit me up on Facebook.com/shanejohnoneill, then you will know everything!
14) Who are your sponsors and who do today’s shout-outs go to?
Nike SB
Monster
Skate Mental
Fourstar
Spitfire
Thunder
Diamond
FKD
Grizzly Grip
Shout-out goes to Nike SB for being amazing!
15) What is some good life advice you’ve been given?
Good things take time, and be nice to everyone.