Slick Willie's Skate Team
Stephen Johnstone
(Team Manager)
Where do you live?
I live in Central London.
What discipline of skating is your favourite and why?
I love getting involved in all of them but if I did have to choose a favourite then it would need to be skatepark. I love to flow up, down and around the ramps at speed before launching into the air to land into another ramp. It's an unreal feeling.
Where is your favourite place to skate?
The streets of Barcelona, as they felt like a skatepark.
What is your favourite trick?
I do love a good backflip.
What’s your favourite meal after a long skate?
Something including bread and tomatoes... Preferably Italian.
Which skater inspired you the most?
There have been many over the years including Alex Burston, Nick Lomax, Antony Pottier... I spent most of my teenage years watching youtube videos of many skaters taking inspiration from each of them. More recently I've been inspired by the likes of Si Coburn and German Moreno. Si has really shown me that as long as you want to skate you can. He has skated for around 25 years and has no intention of slowing down as he approaches his 40's. I'd like to follow in similar footsteps. German has really shown me what good can come from having such a love of this sport. He has created a huge community in London and has welcomed myself and many others to come and join in on one of the most amazing experiences. He really opened my eyes to see what can be achieved when huge groups of skaters unite.
What is your favourite wheel size to skate and why?
90mm wheels all the way! In my opinion and with my foot size, 90mm is the perfect most universal wheel size which allows me to do lots of different types of skating without changing my wheels and frames all the time.
Which camera do you use to film your content?
I have an iPhone 12 Pro that does the trick but sometimes I use my Insta360 One R.
As a kid, what did you to be when you grew up?
I have pretty much always wanted to be a pro skater ever since I started skating in 2004. There was a time where I wanted to drive trains though.. choo choo
What are your social media handles and where can we find you online?
My Instagram is @Whataspoon but you can also find me on YouTube as Stephen Johnstone Rollerblading.
I am also an instructor with London Skate Life teaching lessons in London.
I am also sponsored by Hakon Clothing.
For all other links, check out my Linktree.
Si Coburn
Where do you live?
I live in the Southwest of England in a city called Gloucester.
What discipline of skating is your favourite and why?
Urban Skating around the streets for me is the most fun, I love the creativeness, freedom and challenges it brings along with the fresh air. I am starting to enjoy marathon skating though , testing my fitness, cardio and mental strength.
Where is your favourite place to skate?
If i have my skates on my feet then that's my favourite place to skate, I'm happy skating everywhere and everything and any time.
What is your favourite trick?
540's always feel great or sending a big floaty gap.
What's your favourite meal after a skate?
In a perfect world it would be a large veggie burrito packed full of proteins but usually its some sort of protein bar or shake to help replace nutrients and recover quicker.
What skater inspired you the most?
The list is long over the years from all different types of skaters but for me its Alex Broskow, he skates fast, gets creative and continues to push his skill set.
What is your favourite wheel size to skate and why?
I get asked this a lot but I'm always torn between 4x80mm and 4x90mm, I like the responsiveness of those sizes. Good for trick skating, fast, controllable and still great for recreational use.
Which camera do you use to film your content?
I currently use the iPhone 13 Pro, this is my favourite to use as it's easy to carry around and i prefer a longer dynamic angle. I do also use the GoPro Max 360 camera for certain things but I'm much more selective when it comes to using it.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Pro skater, nothing more nothing less. I'm having the most fun ever on my skates right now which seems to be creating a lot of natural opportunities through skating which I'm extremely thankful for. As an adult I'm just glad to still be skating , having the most amazing fun whilst doing it and meeting the best people in the world.
What are your social media handles and where can you find you online?
My Instagram and TikTok are @si_coburn and you can also find me on YouTube as Si Coburn.
Ilaria Di Maio
Where do you live?
I live in central London.
What discipline of skating is your favourite and why?
I like to explore all sides of skating as i like to keep my routine variated but if I were to pick one it would be street skating because I feel very comfortable on the roads and I like when I can feel part of the traffic.
Where is your favourite place to skate?
The city is my favourite place to skate.
What is your favourite trick?
My favourite trick is parallel slide.
What’s your favourite meal after a long skate?
All I need after a big session is some meat with carbs and veggies. It could be a burger, it could be steak, anything will do (as long as it’s medium rare).
Which skater inspired you the most?
Мy biggest inspiration in skating is stephen johnstone (aka. Whataspoon). I never met anyone so self driven and with such a clear picture of what he wants to do. He is the hype of every situation so every time he’s around it just feels like a party.
Another brilliant skater I admire and take inspiration from is German Moreno (the godfather of slides). German never stops. He brought so much to the skating community by creating London Skate Life and there isn’t a day where he doesn’t welcome more people into the skating family and motivate them to improve their skating.
I guess the thing these two people have in common and that I admire so much is the love they have for the community and their initiative to bring something beautiful to the sport.
What is your favourite wheel size and why?
My favourite wheel size is 125 mm. These wheels allow me to do everything i need to do on a daily basis, they get me from a to b very quickly with no need of public transport and I personally just love the look of them.
Which camera do you use to film your content?
I use my phone camera (iPhone 14 Pro).
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I never had a specific dream job, all i knew is that i wanted to travel and see the world.
What are your social media handles and where can we find you online?
You can find me on Instagram as @ilariadimaio_99 but here’s my Linktree to check out all the things I do.
Jaro Hajdik
Where do you live?
In London, Willesden Green.
What discipline of skating is your favourite and why?
I enjoy wizard skating, slides and also jumps. I am focused on Wizard skating a bit more because I find the combination of slalom/figure skating and aggressive skating thrilling.
Where is your favourite place to skate?
In Hyde Park. Lovely people, perfect surface and nature everywhere.
What is your favourite trick?
Parallel slide
What’s your favourite meal after a long skate?
Spaghetti Bolognese.
Which skater inspired you the most?
Nicola Torelli.
What is your favourite wheel size to skate and why?
Depending on setup, but probably 90mm.
Which camera do you use to film your content?
iPhone 11, Insta 360 X3.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Garbage collector.
What are your social media handles and where can we find you online? Instagram.
Daisy Bratton
Where do you live?
I live in Scotland, on the West Coast.
What discipline of skating is your favourite and why?
Roller skating in the skatepark is my favourite discipline. I love the feeling of flying and how cool it feels to learn a new trick.
Where is your favourite place to skate?
My favourite place to skate is definitely Unit23 Skatepark. They have always been super supportive of my skating.
What is your favourite trick?
My favourite trick is definitely a backflip. Now when people shout ‘do a backflip’ I can!!
What’s your favourite meal after a long skate?
My favourite meal after a skate is definitely a McDonald’s
Which skater inspired you the most?
The skater that inspires me the most is Bomba Hache, we have the same style. She’s amazing and is so kind and supportive to me.
What is your favourite wheel size to skate and why?
My favourite wheels are my Moxi Fundae, they are perfect for wooden ramps and also for concrete (when the Scottish weather allows)
Which camera do you use to film your content?
My Mama uses her iPhone to film most of my clips.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up I’d like to be a pro roller skater. Imagine doing what you love for a living!
What are your social media handles and where can we find you online? Follow me on Instagram. 🤘
Brett Davies
Where do you live?
I’m in Salford just outside of central Manchester.
What discipline of skating is your favourite and why?
My favourite type of skating is free skating these days as it spans many types of skating into one and I constantly find new ways to enjoy it!
Where is your favourite place to skate?
My favourite place to skate so far has been Malaga in Spain, it is pretty much always sunny and has great architecture for skating with amazing views and also feels like a second home to me.
What is your favourite trick?
My favourite trick is probably fakie one footed stair ride!
What’s your favourite meal after a long skate?
My go to after a long skate would probably be either pizza or pasta of some kind.
Which skater inspired you the most?
These days I would say that I find Danny Aldridge the most inspiring out of skaters I pay attention to be because to me he embodies the energy of what free skating is about and puts himself across in a positive light.
What is your favourite wheel size to skate and why?
My favourite wheel size changes depending on what frames I’m riding at the time, currently I’ve mainly been riding the NN Dragon + frames for a few months which is a mix of 3x80 on the middle & 90mm’s front and back so this is my current favourite as it’s a perfect all round set up for the type of skating I like to do!
Which camera do you use to film your content?
I have just recently been sent the X3 from Insta360 as an upgrade from my OneX2 they provided me with so I will be mainly using aswell as my phone to film clips with.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a kid I can’t remember what I wanted to do when I was older but I definitely thought it would be cool to get sponsored which happened a short two & half decades after starting skating haha.
What are your social media handles and where can we find you online?
You can find me on Instagram.
Luis Gustavo Main Vargas
Where do you live?
I live in South London.
What discipline of skating is your favourite and why?
My favourite discipline or style is urban skating, wizard skating and aggressive skate because I like to feel the flow of the movements.
Where is your favourite place to skate?
Definitely the street with some good spots also Hyde Park, skateparks and fat grounds at the end wherever I can roll it’s fun.
What is your favourite trick?
Backwards parallel, 360 landing on toes and any trick with heels.
What’s your favourite meal after a long skate?
Wherever I can find near me preferably pasta with cheese.
Which skater inspired you the most?
Many skaters inspire me but the most ones are Nicola Torelli, Leon Basil, Alexander Broskow and Boby Spassov.
What is your favourite wheel size to skate and why?
My favourite wheel size is 4x110, but I stared to like the advanced mode more which is 2x100mm 3x84mm I don’t really care about the wheel size as longer as the frame is large because I like the feeling of large frame.
Which camera do you use to film your content?
I usually use my phone to take pictures and videos, but I also use my 360 camera to skate around the city.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an engineer, but I didn’t know what type.
What are your social media handles and where can we find you online?
You can find me on Instagram and TikTok. I am also sponsored by IQON.
Noah
Where do you live?
I live in London.
What do you prefer street or park and why and Where is your favourite place to skate?
My favourite place to skate is a skate park as I love practicing and trying out new tricks; it makes me feel cool and happy.
What is your favourite or best trick?
My favourite trick is doing 180s; I love it because it is very, very fun.
What is your favourite meal after a long skate?
My favourite meal after a long skate is ramen noodles because they are really yummy.
Which skater inspired you the most?
The skater that has inspired me the most is Ila because she is an amazing skater, she is lots of fun, she is very kind to me and I love skating together. I also find Stephen inspiring and when I saw him skate at a competition I couldn’t believe how many tricks he knew!
As a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
I want to keep in-line skating but also work at Slick Willies because then I can work with Ila and Stephen; it would be so much fun.
What are your social media handles and where can we find you online?
Instagram