The first time I saw Phil Zwijsen riding was in Varazze during the second edition of the Off the Wall Spring Classic skate contest. What I remember the most about him are his stylish red socks.

And he was a damn fine skater, too! After some time I popped in my dvd player “Get Busy Living” by Element. And once again I found myself watching Phil skateboarding with the same red socks. I felt amazed, it was like a circle. Far from joking, he not only got mad skills, he’s a real innovator. I’ve rarely seen so much inspiration and curiosity in a single skater! Drop in boy!

Hi Phil, quick intro, where are you from, how old are you and how long have you been skating?
I’m From Edegem Belgium. I’m 25 years old and ive been skating for the last 12 years.

Sponsors and hook-ups:
Ashes Griptape, Carhartt, Vans, Monster Energy, Element, Rockers Wheels, Lockwood Skateshop, Area 51 skatepark

You’re with no doubt one of the most recognized upcoming skaters at the moment in Europe, and I’ve heard you’re doing great even in the US in the DEW Tour. What brought you there? Did you really plan skateboarding as a career or things came just along the way?
I’ve been going the last 3 years to dew tour. Three years ago I had invitation and I went. I never tought it could be a career. But now I’m super stoked the way its going.

I’m really surprised by your bag of tricks and by the innovative way you ride the city. What’s your primary source of inspiration?
Skating with my friends and skating every day. I get alot of inspiration out of busenits grant taylor, Omar salazar

Your fav tricks – on ramp, street and rails?
Ramp : Fs smithgrinds
Street: Ollie
Rails: Boardslide

Can you still remember your first board? And how did skateboarding change your way of living? Any regrets?
My first board was a blind board. Skateboarding helped me alot in travelling, learning new things, meeting a lot of new people all the time. Regrets: I wish I started skating vert earlier.

You’re travelling worldwide… Is there any particular location, park or spot that’s always in your heart?
There are too many good places. Theres so many different countries and they all have something different. That’s why it’s hard to choose one. I like to visit new places.

What do you think about Varazze? Did you enjoy the Vans OTW? The event is getting huge, are you planning another visit?
I went 2 years ago and I really liked it. I couldn’t go last year because we did a vans trip to China to film for the Four Courners. But this year I’m coming for sure !!!! I don’t want to miss out this year

I was stoked – well, also shocked – by Get Busy Living. Amazing video and your part was killer. Are you currently working in other projects?
Thanks a lot. I’m filming for a few different projects.

What are your plans for the next summer? Where could we meet you skating?
I’m currently living in barcelona. But not about the summer. I really like berlin or new york. But nothing is sure yet.

Silly question, do you really have a stock of red socks? Lol
Not really I had a few. But I lost them.

Keep it up man! Thanks for the interview! Feel free to add whatever you want in the last line:
See you in Varazze !!! Can’t wait to go !!!! Thanks for the intervieuw. Greets Phil

Keep following Phil and dig for his sick video part! Go skateboarding!

Old Spitalfields Market in East London hosted the biggest skateboard event the UK has ever seen. Over 10’000 people visited throughout the day, witnessing ten of Europe’s best skateboard teams battle it out against each other.
Vans selected the incredible obstacles from Cliché, Superdead and Death Skateboards in recognition of their inspired and creative designs and brought them to life brilliantly and installed in Old Spitalfields Market and the neighboring Brushfield Street to be skated for one day only.

Following an hour’s warm up, the competing athletes dived straight into the first Round, featuring Death Skateboards’ Ripper Alley. Phil Zwijsen resurrected the spirit of the Ripper himself, pushing the boundaries and carving his way to first place with his consist fluid style and use of the course. Danny Brady fought to the end, notably with a B/S Hurricane from the flat bank to bar that earned him second place.

The event was then in full swing and the masses accumulated over the Antiz Tower Bridge. Danny Brady lead the line with his progressive array of tricks in his arsenal, none more so than his F/S Bluntslide kickflip to fakie in his usual insouciant manner. Inspired by the amazing obstacle created by Antiz, the Element and Cliché team fought to the bitter end, though when the dust settled it was Danny Brady who left with the top spot.

Despite the best efforts of the typically unpredictable British weather, the clouds parted and the sun shined in time for everyone to roll out to the final obstacle- Superdead’s Old English Tavern. As the final round, this was the moment when every athlete knew their time was running out and did what they could do claim a stake in this prestigious event, first out of the gates was Nassim Guammaz. Ferocious style that dominated from the minute the final heat commenced. If anyone needed final confirmation that Nassim was taking this heat as his own, his F/S 360 shuvit down the bank reaffirmed his position. Chris Pfanner, representing Yama, kept everyone guessing with his trademark F/S melon flip earning plaudits from the huge assembled crowd.

With all three obstacles taken on and destroyed in a fashion we have come to expect from the Vans Downtown Showdown, it was left to the judges to tally up the scores and inform the heaving crowds of which team had climbed highest in the scoring. Here are the results as presented by the likes of Steve Van Doren, Geoff Rowley and Dustin Dollin. The team results were as follows-

1.Antiz
2.Element Europe
3.Enjoi

After the prize giving ceremony, it was time to celebrate with Vans legends Tony Alva and Pro Geoff Rowley at the Monster Energy Afterparty at the Village Underground where the party raged long into the early hours of the morning.

Pictures: (c) Vans