Pushing Boarders Malmö kicked off with a topic that ran through all of the panels at this year’s event – mental health in skateboarding.

Opening the discussion were Scottish and Swedish legends, John Rattray and Madeleine Uggla who spoke about their own experiences and outlined possible ways to keep this conversation going throughout and after the event.

From Skate After School to skateboarding in school, this panel of professionals and practitioners explore the potential of skateboarding as an immersive and transferable learning tool.

Balancing the freedom of self-taught switch flips with the rise in formal classes, how do we both learn skateboarding and learn from skateboarding?

Panel: John Dahlquist (Bryggeriet), Ryan Lay (Skate After School), Rhianon Bader (Skateistan / Goodpush), Dr. Esther Sayers (Goldsmiths University) & Dr. Jessica Forsyth (Harold Hunter Foundation)

Chair: Rick McCrank

In this panel, a new generation of skate scholars discuss how a skater-led, inclusive, and critical approach to research can improve skateboarding and create better relationships between academia, skate charities and the skate industry.

Panel: Dr. Adelina Ong (Independent Researcher), Luke Cianciotto (University of Chicago), Dr. Indigo Willing (Griffith University), Sophie Friedel (University of Innsbruck), Dr. Dani Abulhawa (Sheffield Hallam)

Chairs: Dr. Sander Holsgens (Re-verb Skateboarding) & Stuart Maclure (Long Live Southbank)

For the past ten years skateboarders have watched in wonder as the stoke has been spread from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. A whole new skate charity ‘sector’ has emerged, but what does this mean for local populations?

In this panel, we hear from local skaters about their experiences working with International NGOs, and find out how skate scenes can be developed in a sustainable way with the communities’ needs at heart.

Panel: Ayanda Mnyandu (Skateistan, South Africa), Aram Sabbah (SkatePal, Palestine), Atita Verghese (Girl Skate India), Leyla Garboza (Concrete Jungle Foundation, Peru)

Chairs: Will Ascott & Ruby Mateja (Free Movement Skateboarding)

As established print outlets fall and internet-based publications rise, space opens up for new voices to define what skateboarding is. How can journalists reflect the diversity of skateboarding today?

Panel: Lee Smith (Mission Statement), Christian Kerr (Jenkem), Norma Ibarra (Skate Witches / U Can Skate), Jin Yob Kim (The Quiet Leaf), Arthur Derrien (Free Skate Mag)

Chairs: Anthony Pappalardo (Author & Journalist) & Hannah Bailey (Photographer & Journalist)

In a culture dominated by the masculine and the straight, industry insiders discuss their diverse experiences with identity within skateboarding and uncover the true prejudices at play. How can we all be better allies?

Panel: Leo Baker, Yann Horowitz, Mark Nickels, Briana King (Display Only)

Chairs: Sam McGuire & Tobias Coughlin-Bogue (SKATEISM)

Drawing from the cases of two iconic skate spots - Love Park in Philadelphia and Southbank in London - this panel explores why certain spaces generate a heightened sense of importance amongst skaters and how this cultural significance can be translated into preservation.

Panel: Stuart Maclure (Long Live Southbank), Brian Panebianco (Sabotage Crew), Dr. Pollyana Ruiz (University of Sussex), Dr. Paul O’ Connor (University of Hong Kong)

Chairs: Gustav Eden (Skate Malmö) & Betsy Gordon (Smithsonian Institution)

How do we break the male gaze, and, in the wake of some of the most interesting evolutions in skating for womxn, ensure equal opportunities for everyone? Ultimately, how do we create and support the revolution?

Panel: Candy Jacobs, Kristin Ebeling (Skate Like A Girl), Mimi Knoop (Women’s Skate Alliance), Amber Edmondson (Women Skate the World), Kava Garcia Vasquez (Meninanda)

Chair: Lucy Adams (Pro Skater / Skateboard England)

Whilst skaters all over the world fight to save their favourite spots from destruction, some cities are actively integrating skateboarding into public space. In this panel, pro skaters, architects and policy planners discuss the pros and cons of what happens when we try to make our cities more sustainably ‘skate-friendly’.

Panel: Leo Valls, Kristin Ebeling, Dr. Karin Book (University of Malmö), Fredrik Angner (White Arkitekter)

Chairs: Prof. Ocean Howell & Gustav Eden (Skate Malmö)

Nostalgic or progressive, VX or IG, or everything at once? This panel examines the role of technology and all things social, to create new skate gods and shine a light on unsung skaters across the globe.

Panelists: Imke Leerink (Girls Shred), Briana King (Display Only), Hans Smits (World Of Skateboarding), Ted Schmitz (Vent City)

Chair: Ted Barrow

Let’s talk business: style + tricks ≠ money.

There’s more to the industry than skating itself. This panel explores the power of the industry to shape skateboarding, from the sacred ‘core’ to corporate ‘invasion’, Olympic dreams, and much more.

Panel: Nick Sharrat (The Palomino), Paul Shier (Adidas Skateboarding / Isle Skateboards), Kim Woozy (Mahfia TV), Josh Friedberg (USA Skateboarding), Claire Alleaume (Journalist)

Chair: Kyle Beachy (Vent City)