Why freestyle?
The most accessible form of skateboarding…Skills learned transfer to other types of skateboarding.
A.T.S. was the first freestyle-skateboard manufacturer in Australia. Can you tell us young ones a little about this passion project?
A.T.S. (All Terrain Skateboards) was born out of the ashes of the 1970s boom, when skateboarding was going through the dark ages of skateboarding and everything was influenced by the USA market. The majority of skateboarders would skate all the different types of skateboarding—freestyle, slalom, and transition/banks and pools, which later became vert skateboarding—so my generation of skateboarders were all-round[ers] in a nutshell.
At the time, freestyle was the main focus in the magazines, and it was changing from the surf style to [a] more gymnastic style of freestyle [with] lots of handstand variations, etc. So after working in the skateboarding industry in Australia for about 4 years, I went to the USA to fulfil my dream of competing there.
When I came back after my second trip that lasted 6 months, I decided to start up A.T.S. and make boards for the different types of skateboarding, mainly vert and freestyle. Freestyle was not as popular as it used to be, but I decided to still make freestyle boards out of the sheer love for the art.
Can you share with us some details of these vintage freestyle boards?
A.T.S. Freestyle 1986
- 27.25″ x 7.25″
- WB 12.25″
- Nose 5″
- Tail 5.5″
- Slightly concave flair
- Made from silver ash
1989-1990 A.T.S. Freestyle
- 27.25″ x 7.25″
- WB 12.25″
- Nose 5.25″
- Tail 5.5″
- Spoon-nose kick
- Slight rocker for lower centre of gravity
- Made from rock maple
Personal prototype freestyle boards
I’ve been riding a larger size freestyle board since 1989 through to now.
- 8″ x 29″
- WB 14″
- Double kick, symmetrical shape
My current board is a blank that you can buy online from Kick Push Skate. I bought the mellow concave, flattened it by parking my car on it…[, t]hen cut my own shape out of it.
Good for rolling fast, footwork and other high speed moves.
Are you still working regularly on your freestyle? What does an average David Mock sesh look like?
Not as much prior to the last online World Round-Up [in 2020]. I’ve been working a lot.
When I have a session, I do a full body warm-up, stretching, and specific movements for my knees, wrists, and ankles that are similar to the motion you have to do for certain tricks and footwork. After the warm-up, I’ll do footwork with single tricks, but do it 10 times in a row to build consistency and stamina/endurance. Then I’ll work on some rail tricks, truck stands, manuals and then I’ll try some new things that I haven’t done.
What’s your favourite trick to work on at the moment?
Re-learning M80s, and pressure flip.
How do you usually approach learning/re-learning a trick? Any tips for other freestylers?
I usually break it down into beginning, middle, and end (landing).
E.g. M80—practice the kickflip then the switch stance to pivot (kickturn) 180 degrees.
Whose M80 variation/line inspires you the most at the moment?
Probably Mike Osterman, clean and smooth.
You’ve been moderating a Facebook group for Australian freestylers. Can you tell us a little about the group?
Basically, it covers everything to do with freestyle skateboarding in Australia: history, equipment (board setups), contests, discussions on freestyle, what tricks people are working on.
Do you know of any other Aussie freestyle communities that people can sign up to out there?
Not at this time.
Okay, final random question: was the 80s better for freestyle or is now the freestyle ‘golden age’?
Definitely now.
- The standard of freestyle is much higher
- more people doing it worldwide
- freestyle brands run by freestyle skateboarders, not to mention
- more contests around the world and all the different groups that exist on social media.
Connect: David Mock (IG: @david_mockphotography) is Australia’s original freestyle legend. During the COVID lockdown years, he competed in Masters at the World Round-Up 2020, and is still agitating for a freestyle competition held locally. You’ll find him shredding in Deception Bay, Queensland.