Switch 360 Flips That Actually Look Good
The switch 360 flip is, generally speaking, not a good looking trick. We're not shocked by this – they're hard to learn (we've definitely never done one), and even if you're able to luck out and land a few, you're not going to have a ton of opportunities to work on making them polished (unless you want to skate flatground all day, which we fully support).
The switch tre takes a particularly talented individual to make look presentable. That’s why when a solid one comes across our screens, we're always sure to remember it. Here are some we we've made note of:
Russ Milligan in Crime in the City
City Skateboards, 2007
How can someone do a trick that's so difficult so effortlessly? We don't get it, but we love it. Russ Milligan is a name that comes up a lot on this site, and when someone does a trick like this right at the beginning of the video (first part, first line, second trick), it's easy to see why. There’s a nonchalance to this one that's unmatched.
Chima Ferguson in Since Day One
Real Skateboards, 2011
Chima is no stranger to switch 360 flips down things. If for some reason you haven’t seen his Propeller part, check out his ender to see what we mean. That being said, this flatground version was executed so perfectly that it made its way onto our list over some of his bigger renditions of the trick.
Blake Carpenter in Cosmic Vomit 2
Grant Yansura, 2012
This one has all the makings of a solid skateboard trick. Ample roll up footage builds the hype, the flip is fast and smooth, and the catch and landing are both on point. Plus he's skating to Mazzy Starr.
Wes Kremer in Not Another Transworld Video
Transworld Skateboarding, 2011
It's Wes. It’s in a line. This one speaks for itself.
Johnny Layton in Suffer the Joy
Toy Machine, 2006
This one had to make the list. J-Lay threw one down Carlsbad so effortlessly that it looked like a warm up trick. Note that his back foot contorts just enough to squeeze past the tail before getting itself square on the bolts.
Steve Durante in Origin
Habitat Skateboards, 2010
Huge pop, super powerful stomp, first line in his part – there's a lot to like about this one. The other tricks in this line were done on gnarly waist-high ledges tricks and we're calling out the flatground trick. That's saying something.
Bobby Worrest in Right Foot Forward
Transworld Skateboarding, 2009
Bobby Worrest has done many exemplary switch tre flips, and this line contains two of them. A true conquistador of East Coast plazas, Bobby decided that a switch tre up the three wasn’t enough and that he needed to throw one down a long set afterward. Both were executed with authority.
Anthony Van Engelen in Mind Field
Alien Workshop, 2009
AVE has this vibe going where we always want to think he just does basic tricks, and maybe it's because even his switch tricks look natural. See above for proof.
Al Davis in Cons Spot
Habitat Skateboards, 2014
Al Davis can make anything look stylish and original, so it's no surprise that his switch tre at the end of this clip made our list. This is what we like to see in middle of the street footage: a meandering line that ends in a commanding flatground maneuver. Note the perfect catch and how his back foot distorts itself for one of the most noteworthy catches of all time.
Danny Garcia in Inhabitants
Habitat Skateboards, 2007
Here it is: our favorite switch 360 flip ever. The whole vibe of this one is what makes it number one. Gold-tinted VX footage, a DIY spot, and a switch tre that was done with the perfect amount of laziness. We're betting this one was done impromptu after the success of the preceding very challenging maneuvers.
By: Nick Fritz
Follow @FritzNicholas