SKATE INDUSTRY CAREERS ft. Clinten Davison
Roll into any skatepark and ask an aspiring young skater what they want to be doing in 10 years and I guarantee their answers will most likely be the same…“be a pro skater!” We have all thought it, said it, probably even tried to make it happen!
With millions of people skating worldwide, the chance of getting a pay cheque from your skating is limited. So, for those of us not talented enough to have their name emblazoned on a deck or win a few SLS contests, what other options are out there and how can you make a living from skateboarding?
We’ve interviewed some of Australia’s big dogs of the industry to give you a glimpse of the jobs that exist and what it may take to get your foot in the door. Skateboarding is a 2.7-billion-dollar industry that includes jobs in skate shops, distribution, brand development, team management, photography, and filming to name just a few.
So, I’ve jumped straight into 2022 juggling my post-surgery rehab, full-time job, Skate Dad responsibilities, all whilst finding time to write on these passion project articles of mine. It’s not boring, to say the least.
Honestly, I really don’t know how these guys find the minutes to keep driving forward whilst juggling “real jobs” or many jobs as well as their careers in the skate industry. My respect for them has increased greatly.
This leads perfectly to our next homie in the spotlight, a guy who juggles this better than most, a guy who welcomed me back into the community after years away from skateboarding, and helped me introduce my son to skateboarding, one of the hardest working and underappreciated guys on the scene, a guy who is friend to all and the second angle filmer for many, Skate Dad himself… Clinten Davison!
Interview
Photo credit: Curtis Hay
Hey Clint, thanks for your time - wanna start by telling us what your current role in skateboarding is?
Currently, I work for Rumble on the Reef, I am an ASF Accredited Competition Judge, Events Facilitator and also do some filming on the side.
Who do you work for in the industry?
I have a full-time job outside of skateboarding, so that means I’m freelance these days so most of what I do is for the love of it.
I’ve done a lot of small jobs here and there over the years and had the pleasure of working on projects for the likes of Element, Converse, Theeve Trucks, Soletech, Fast-Times and Project Distribution, but most people nowadays might know me for being heavily involved with Rumble on the Reef.
What’s your full-time job?
I work for Telstra as a Retail Systems specialist, I’m responsible for helping develop new systems for Telstra stores and communicating to all the teams in the stores on how to best use them to support our customers.
So how long have you been involved in the industry?
A solid 10 plus years, it’s hard to say when you jump in an out like I’ve have.
In my earlier days I was just a tag along guy learning the ropes and then just started my own brand “Image Skateboarding” where I tried to take skateboarders from rural areas all over the country and offer them support to find their own paths within skateboarding.
But I was young and dumb and hadn’t learned one of the key lessons you can learn from skateboarding, like respect isn’t given, it’s earned, but more specifically, respect can’t be bought, it must be earnt.
The original team did go on to be successful in their own journeys, but I am grateful to have been there at that time, man I wish I knew what I know now to have been there for them more.
After pulling the pin on Image as a board brand, I went on to sell shoes and products as a bit of a rep, then I opened the skate shop where we first met, Image Skateboarding in Rockhampton. Some of the best times in my life were with that shop and having learnt a bit more about the industry, I wanted to share what I knew from previous experiences and showcase an unspoken generation of new rural skateboarders.
“But I was young and dumb and hadn’t learned one of the key lessons you can learn from skateboarding, like respect isn’t given, it’s earned, but more specifically, respect can’t be bought, it must be earnt.”
A lot of great memories shared with that shop, and we had a solid run but as you know the cyclone in 2015 killed the economy there pretty hard there for years.
On the bright side though, as one door closes another opens and I started working on Rumble on the Reef after moving back to the Mackay Region for a restart.
Photo credit: Curtis Hay
What was the spark that lit the flame for you?
If I’m 100% honest, it was talking smack on the old skateboard.com.au forums (Sk8Parx) that got me first involved.
I started “Image” after having studied economics a lot in my education. I had a good understanding how fundamental business practices work, but the skateboarding industry is a beautiful thing because you think you should be good because you can understand everything about how a business is meant to work and easily still be unsuccessful.
I learnt this the hard way but I’m forever grateful that I gave it a go to learn from my mistakes.
The key thing is you must be involved first and foremost from the ground up, live the lifestyle, learn, be open minded and work to develop a foundation first before you build on it.
“The skateboarding industry is a beautiful thing because you think you should be good because you can understand everything about how a business is meant to work and easily still be unsuccessful.”
Your path into skateboarding sounds like a very organic process, do you feel you needed any qualifications?
Qualifications, nah just common sense, the best way is to just go out and live being a skateboarder, if you’re good enough and passionate enough, the path will find you.
Photo credit: Curtis Hay
What stokes you most about your role in skateboarding?
Probably seeing skateboarders who wouldn’t normally go to one of the Rumble on the Reef competitions, all the groms go to have a great time!
Something about bring people together who love skateboarding, yet do it differently, is something and sure contest skateboarding is not the purest element of skateboarding, but it’s a part of it and seeing people come together to celebrate it together is amazing.
How long have you been rolling for?
18 years, I still suck but have a mean Dad Plant!
Any dreams of taking those Dad Plants pro?
Who doesn’t haha, I got a solid reality check though, it’s a funny story…
I skated a lot of comps back in the day and somehow got a foot in the door at a major pro comp where I’m certain I came 2nd last out of 100 plus people. I had no business being in that comp and that was enough to tell me it wasn’t happening, but I loved the lifestyle, so I started picking up the camera.
“You can learn things from skateboarding that can make you a success outside of the industry as well. ”
Photo credit: Dylan Kidman
What would you say to anyone who wants a career in skateboarding?
Don’t be scared to do what you love, but know that you can love skateboarding and other things as well.
Some of the best skateboarders I’ve met have incredible talents other than riding “the wooden toy” but can be useful to the industry as it continues to evolve.
More importantly too it can go the other way, I’d hate to see the person I would of become without skateboarding, skateboarding taught me to be a better person and kept me in check with reality.
You can learn things from skateboarding that can make you a success outside of the industry as well.
Clint, always a pleasure thanks bro!
Stay tuned for more interviews with industry legends working in various jobs all essential to supporting and shaping the skateboarding world and community.
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