19 Greatest Skateboarding Players in Australia of All Time

Davis Torgerson

Australia is home to some of the best skateboarding players in the world. From street skaters to professional athletes, these athletes have demonstrated their skill and talent in competitions and in the streets.

From the legendary Tony Hawk to the up-and-coming skaters, this list showcases some of the best skateboarding players in Australia. Each of these skaters has their own unique style and approach to riding, from technical tricks to creative lines.

No matter your taste, there is sure to be a skater on this list that you can admire.

1. Poppy Starr Olsen

Poppy Starr Olsen is a professional skateboarder from Australia. She has been skateboarding for most of her life and has made a successful career out of it. She is well known for her unique style and approach to skateboarding, which involves riding regular-footed.

This means that instead of having her left foot forward on her board, she has her right foot forward. This gives her an advantage in tricks and maneuvers that other skateboarders may not be able to perform.

She is an inspiration to many other young skateboarders in Australia, and her drive and dedication to her craft is admirable. She has competed in numerous competitions and continues to push the boundaries of skateboarding.

Her commitment to her sport is a testament to her skill and determination.

2. Ben Pappas

Benjamin James “Ben” Pappas was an Australian professional skateboarder whose talent on the board was recognized around the world. He was the younger brother of Tas Pappas, a skateboarder who was considered one of the top riders of the late 1990s.

During this time, Ben was considered the second-best skateboarder in the world, while his brother Tas held the number one spot.

This made the two brothers the most renowned skateboarding duo of their time. Ben Pappas was known for his technical abilities on a skateboard, as well as his daring tricks and street style.

He quickly became a sought-after competitor at contests and exhibitions and was featured in several skateboarding magazines and videos.

He was also a member of the world-renowned skateboard team, the Plan B skateboard team, which included his brother Tas as well as other notable professional skateboarders. Though Ben Pappas’ professional skateboarding career was short-lived, he made a lasting impression on the skateboarding community.

His skills and dedication to the sport inspired countless riders, and his legacy continues to live on in the skateboarding world.

3. Jake Brown

Jake Brown is a professional skateboarder from Australia. He is well-known for his specialization in transition skateboarding, a type of skateboarding involving riding from one level of terrain to another.

Jake Brown has been skating competitively since 1996, and he has been a frequent contestant in the X Games since then. This is an incredible feat, considering that the X Games are one of the biggest and most prestigious skateboarding competitions in the world.

As a result of his success in the X Games, Jake Brown has achieved a great deal of fame and recognition in the skateboarding community. Jake Brown is also an advocate for skateboarding in Australia and other parts of the world.

He frequently works with local organizations to promote skateboarding and help it become a more accepted activity. He is currently working on creating a skateboarding program to empower and inspire the youth in his local area. Jake Brown is a true skateboarding legend.

He has achieved great success in the competitive circuit, and he is dedicated to helping others make their skateboarding dreams come true. He is an inspiration to many, and he will continue to be an important figure in the skateboarding community for years to come.

4. Hayley Wilson

Hayley Wilson is an Australian skateboarder from Mansfield, Victoria, Australia. She is unique in her approach to skateboarding because she is goofy-footed. This means she prefers to have her right foot forward when skating.

This is an uncommon stance for skateboarders, as most prefer to have their left foot forward. Hayley has been skateboarding since she was a young girl, starting when she was ten years old.

She has always been passionate about skateboarding and loves to experiment with different tricks. She is also known for her fearless attitude when it comes to attempting new tricks and pushing her boundaries.

Hayley is an inspiration to many skateboarders, especially young girls. Her goofy-footed approach to skateboarding has earned her respect from her peers and has made her a well-known figure in the Australian skateboarding scene.

She has represented Australia in international competitions and has even won a few awards for her skills. Hayley Wilson is an extraordinary skateboarder who has made a name for herself in the skateboarding community.

Her goofy-footed approach to the sport has earned her respect and admiration from her peers. Her fearless attitude and determination to push her boundaries has inspired many young skateboarders who aspire to be just like her.

5. Shane O’Neill

Shane O’Neill is a highly skilled professional skateboarder from Melbourne, Victoria in Australia.

He is a member of the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) “9 Club,” an elite group of skateboarders who have successfully landed a trick with a score of 9 or better from the judges at a Street League competition.

Shane’s particular trick was a Switch 360 double kickflip, a complex maneuver that requires the skater to spin 360 degrees in the air while also kicking their board twice. This trick is incredibly difficult to master and requires a great deal of skill, strength, and balance.

Shane’s success in landing this trick in a competition demonstrates his skill and determination as a professional skateboarder.

6. Tas Pappas

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Tasou Micah Pappas, better known as Tas Pappas, is an Australian-sponsored skateboarder and former professional skateboarder.

He is a highly accomplished and respected skateboarder in the discipline of vert skateboarding, which is a type of skateboarding that takes place on a ramp or half-pipe.

Tas Pappas has competed in a number of major international events, including the X Games and the Gravity Games.

He has also been featured in some of the most popular skateboarding magazines and videos and is a regular at many of the top skateboarding competitions around the world.

Tas Pappas is a true icon of the skateboarding world and continues to inspire and motivate others to reach their goals.

7. Kieran Woolley

Kieran Woolley is a renowned Australian skateboarder who is admired for his exceptional technical abilities and creative style. Born and raised in the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia, Woolley has had a passion for skateboarding ever since he was young.

Woolley also enjoyed riding motorcycles and surfing, which both contributed to his exceptional skills on the skateboard.

His experience with these other activities is thought to have enabled him to develop his unique and creative style on the skateboard which has earned him such great admiration from peers and fans alike.

Woolley is a highly talented individual with an impressive set of skills and a unique style that has made him a popular figure in the skateboarding community.

8. Lewis Marnell

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Lewis Kristian Marnell was an immensely talented skateboarder from Melbourne, Australia. He was so talented that he was awarded Slam Magazine’s prestigious “Skater of the Year” title in 2008, an incredible achievement for someone who had only been skateboarding for a few years.

Marnell’s life was tragically cut short in January 2013, due to complications related to his long-term battle with type 1 diabetes. Marnell had been diagnosed with the condition when he was only 10 years old, and he courageously fought it for the rest of his life.

Despite the physical and mental strains of living with the condition, he still managed to reach incredible heights in skateboarding, becoming an inspiration to many.

Marnell’s untimely death is a reminder of the harsh realities of diabetes, and how it can affect even the most talented and determined of people.

9. Renton Millar

Renton Millar is an incredibly talented and dedicated skateboarder, who has made a name for himself as a professional vertical skateboarder.

He hails from Melbourne, Australia, and has been actively competing and performing in the skateboarding circuit for over a decade. Millar is a highly respected figure in the skateboarding world and has won numerous awards, accolades, and titles during his career.

He is most well-known for his incredible feats of athleticism and acrobatic maneuvers on the board. Millar is a master of transitions, and his ability to quickly maneuver around obstacles is unparalleled. Millar is also renowned for his creative approach to skateboarding.

He is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the sport, coming up with innovative tricks and techniques that have become the envy of the skateboarding community.

He has an impressive repertoire of tricks and maneuvers and never fails to wow a crowd with his vert skating prowess. Millar is also a role model for aspiring skateboarders, and his hard work and dedication have inspired many to take up the sport.

He has opened the door for a new generation of skateboarders to follow in his footsteps, and for many of them, he is a source of inspiration. Millar is a true professional and a respected figure in the skateboarding world.

His passion and commitment have taken him to the top of the sport, and his incredible talent and skill are undeniable. He is truly a force to be reckoned with in the world of vert skateboarding.

10. Stephen Hill

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Stephen Hill OAM is an accomplished figure in the skateboarding world. He is a former Australian skateboard champion and co-founder of Globe International, a multinational business that specializes in youth culture-inspired footwear, apparel, and skate/surf products.

Hill co-founded Globe International with his brother Peter Hill. Globe International has become a critical player in the skateboarding and surfing industries, providing high-quality and stylish products to their customers.

Stephen Hill’s achievements have been recognized through his Order of Australia Medal, which is given to those who have achieved extraordinary excellence in their respective fields.

His accomplishments demonstrate his passion for skateboarding and his commitment to helping the industry grow.

11. Keegan Palmer

Keegan Palmer OAM is an accomplished skateboarder who is highly respected in the industry. He began skating at a young age and was only 14 when he turned pro. As a professional skateboarder, he specializes in park skating and is a goofy-footed rider.

Palmer has been sponsored by some of the largest and most respected brands in the skateboarding industry, including Nike SB, Primitive, Oakley, Independent, Bones Wheels, Bronson Speed Co., Mob, and Boost Mobile.

His sponsorships reflect the high level of skill and dedication he brings to the sport. As an ambassador of the skateboarding world, he has served as an inspiration to many and continues to strive for success in the sport.

12. Shane Cross

Shane Cross was a highly accomplished and renowned street skateboarder from the Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia. He became a notable figure in the skateboarding community during the mid-2000s and made a significant impact on the industry in a short amount of time.

Unfortunately, Cross’s life was cut short at the age of 20 when he died in a tragic motorcycle accident. His sudden death was a shock to the skateboarding community, and many paid tribute to him in the wake of his passing.

Cross’s legacy lives on in the skateboarding world, and he is fondly remembered for his skill and passion.

13. Dustin Dollin

Dustin Dollin is an Australian professional skateboarder who has been skating for over two decades. He is one of the original team riders for Baker Skateboards, a skateboarding company founded in 2000 by professional skateboarder Andrew Reynolds.

Dollin was one of the first members of the brand and is recognized for his unique style and attitude. He has been featured in numerous international skateboarding magazines and videos and is considered to be one of the most influential skateboarders of his generation.

Dollin’s style is characterized by big tricks, high speeds, and creative lines. He has also been known to take risks and push the boundaries of what is possible with skateboarding.

Dollin’s creativity and passion for skating has earned him worldwide recognition and admiration from skateboarders and fans alike.

14. Jason Ellis

Jason Shane Ellis is a multifaceted individual who has made a name for himself in a variety of industries. He is an Australian radio personality best known for his show, The Jason Ellis Show, which aired on Sirius XM satellite radio from 2005 to 2020.

Prior to his radio career, Ellis was a professional skateboarder, auto racer, and singer. Ellis’s career as a professional skateboarder began in 1996 when he moved from Australia to the United States.

He quickly rose in the ranks, becoming one of the best skateboarders in the world.

He was featured in multiple skateboarding videos and magazines and had sponsorship deals with several major skateboarding brands. In addition to his skateboarding career, Ellis also pursued a career in auto racing.

He was part of the Australian touring car series, racing in the Super 2, Super 3, and GT Championship divisions. Ellis was successful in his auto racing career, winning a number of races and championships. Finally, Ellis is also a singer.

He has released several albums and has had his music featured in multiple movies, TV shows, and video games. Overall, Jason Shane Ellis is an incredibly talented individual who has achieved success in skateboarding, auto racing, and singing.

He has gained a loyal fan base and his influence continues to be felt in each of these industries.

15. Ricky Glaser

Ricky Glaser is an Australian professional skateboarder who hails from Melbourne. He has been a professional skateboarder for many years and is known for his exceptional skills on the board.

He is especially known for being a regular-footed skateboarder, meaning that he skates with his left foot forward and his right foot back.

Glaser has been seen in many international skateboarding competitions and events and has gained a lot of recognition in the skateboarding community for his talents and achievements.

He is a well-respected member of the skateboarding community and is highly regarded for his commitment to the sport and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Glaser has also been involved in the development of several skateboard products, including shoes, decks, and other skate accessories.

He has collaborated with several skateboard companies, including DC Shoes and Element Skateboards, to develop products that are designed to meet the needs of the skater.

Glaser is a true pioneer in the skateboarding industry, and his influence can be seen in the number of professional skateboarders that have come out of Australia.

He has helped to shape the culture of skateboarding in Australia and around the world, and his impact on the sport cannot be overlooked.

16. Sabre Norris

Sabre Elle Norris is an impressive young Australian with a variety of talents. She is a surfer, skater, and YouTuber from Newcastle, a city located on the east coast of Australia. Sabre is the eldest child of Olympic swimmer Justin Norris and Brooke Norris.

Her father is a former Olympic swimmer, and her mother is a former professional surfer. Sabre has been able to draw on her parents’ experience and knowledge to succeed in her own athletic and creative pursuits.

She has become a popular YouTube vlogger, sharing her experiences as an athlete and an individual. She has also become a successful surfer and skater, competing in competitions around the world.

Sabre’s success is inspiring, and her determination to work hard and continue to pursue her dreams is an example to us all.

17. Shane Yost

Shane Yost is a renowned Australian professional rollerblader who has left an indelible mark on the world of inline skating. In 2000, he earned the title of the American Skateboarding Association’s number one ranked vert skater in the world.

Yost was a pioneer in the sport, becoming the first roller blader to ever land a switch 1080 and the first skater to land a frontside 1260. This remarkable achievement was the result of his unique style and impressive abilities.

Unlike many of his peers, Yost had a clean, stylish approach to his tricks that allowed him to push the boundaries of what was possible. His innovative and creative approach to the sport revolutionized the world of inline skating and set a new standard for the sport.

His incredible flair and showmanship were admired by many, and his accomplishments will remain a part of the history of inline skating for years to come.

18. Steven Bradbury

Steven John Bradbury OAM is an Australian former short track speed skater and four-time Olympian. He is best known for his remarkable achievement of winning the gold medal in the 1,000 m event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Bradbury made history at the event when all of his opponents were involved in a last-corner pile-up, allowing him to coast across the finish line and win the gold medal.

Bradbury’s remarkable performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics is an impressive example of hard work and dedication paying off. Despite being a long-time competitor, Bradbury was never considered a threat for the gold medal in the 1,000 m event.

However, through sheer determination and resilience, he was able to seize his moment and take advantage of the opportunity. Bradbury’s feat at the 2002 Winter Olympics has been widely celebrated in Australia.

He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his outstanding achievement. He is also the subject of a documentary film, entitled “The Bradbury Dilemma”.

Bradbury’s story is an inspiring one, as it shows that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. His remarkable achievement serves as a reminder that success can come at any time and in any form, even if it is unexpected.

19. Christine Nesbitt

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Christine Nesbitt OLY is a renowned Canadian speed skater who has achieved remarkable success in the sport.

She has participated in two Olympic Games, the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, where she won a silver medal in the team pursuit and a gold medal in the 1000 metres event respectively.

Nesbitt was born in London, Ontario, and began speed skating at the age of fifteen. She quickly established herself as an elite athlete and began competing in international competitions.

In 2006, she represented Canada in the Winter Olympics in Turin, where she won a silver medal in the team pursuit event.

Four years later, she made history by winning Canada’s first ever gold medal in the 1000 metres event at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Nesbitt was the first Canadian woman to win an individual gold medal in speed skating since Sylvia Burka at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics.

She retired from competitive speed skating in 2014 and currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. Throughout her career, she has been an inspirational figure for aspiring athletes, demonstrating that hard work and dedication can lead to success.

Conclusion

The best skateboarding players in Australia have proven to be some of the most talented and creative athletes in the world. They have pushed the boundaries of the sport and have become some of the most influential skateboarders in the world.

From Tony Hawk to Shane O’Neill, these Australian skateboarders have earned the respect of their peers and fans alike.

They have demonstrated that the skills and dedication needed to become a top-tier skateboarder can be found anywhere in the world, and Australia is no exception.

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Davis Torgerson

I am a professional skateboarder who has been involved in the skateboarding industry for over 10 years. I have had the opportunity to travel across the world and compete in various competitions. I live in New York City and work as a professional skateboarder. I also work as an assistant editor at a company called Skateboard Mag, where I contribute to articles about street skating, traveling, and other related topics. I have always been passionate about skateboarding and writing. I am currently working on my first book which will be published soon! LinkedIn