We jumped at the opportunity to connect with master technician Shane O’Neill for a “My Board” interview. Find out what preferences underpin Shane’s insane abilities and see if there are any insights that could further support your own…
words and interview by Jacob Sawyer. Shane O’Neill with a fresh rig at the April Skateboards TF
Shane O’Neill has been gifting us his own brand of highly technical skateboarding for what is now approaching two decades. His ability fused with an aptitude for navigating much gnarlier situations than most makes even the burliest tricks in his parts look flawlessly graceful. Never relenting, each part, each clip is full of a purposeful push for progression and tricks we could once only wonder at their possibility. Watching his output is always a trip, his Shane Goes 2 part released late last year shows no signs of him slowing down and is full to the brim with tech insanity that is easy on the eye. The Rough Cut from that part offers us a glimpse behind the curtain at what the process behind all of this is, a quest for perfection with no room for error. Simply put, it is inspiring to see Shane continue to push things at the highest level, and with April Skateboards as a vehicle he takes his favourite skateboarders, who are on a similar program, along with him for the ride.
Shane’s perfectionist bent and relentless pursuit of progression continues to help evolve skateboarding and anyone picking up a board for the first time will hopefully quickly be made aware of the upper echelon activity he is a part of. That being said if you’re looking to what Shane is doing on a skateboard as far as the realms of possibility which are ever widening, that could be just as overwhelming and baffling as figuring out what skateboard is the right one for you to begin your journey. What product is the best, down to the minutiae of millimetres is an eternal conversation at any skate shop.
Our latest “My Board” interview brings that store-bound chat to another level by asking Shane about just what it is that supports his craft. He has figured out exactly what it is that works for him at this point, keeping things simple to unencumber the flow state necessary to do what he does. We asked as many questions as we could about his preferences so we hope there are some takeaways that could prove useful when making your next hardware purchase. Read on to find what works best for one of the best to ever do it…
BOARD SPECIFICATIONS
Shane O’Neill’s skateboard. His deck of choice is his 8.125″ April Skateboards pro board
What board are you skating right now?
Right now I’m skating my new April Script Logo board, the 8.125″.
How long have you been riding the same size board?
It’s been about 15 years now. I’ll skate a different size and shape here and there for fun but mostly stick to my shape
How has the size board you ride changed over the last couple of decades?
I went from skating a 7.75 when I was super young to thinking I needed to get a bigger board for more control so then moved to an 8. Around 2010 I found the 8.125 shape and haven’t change since!
How does wheelbase factor into your preference?
I think my wheelbase is pretty standard it’s 14″
What about concave?
I like there to be not too much concave but don’t like it to be too flat either.
Growing up did you gravitate towards boards from a certain company and have any kind of brand loyalty?
Growing up I just skated whatever I was given until then getting flowed product. I skated different shapes and sizes all of the time. I honestly had no knowledge of where the boards were from or about shapes, I just wanted to skate, haha. There were and are still are a bunch of companies I like due to who skates for them.
I love how clean the April OG Logo deck is and have noticed a lot of symmetry with the graphics you put out. Is there anything you can’t handle visually?
Myself and the team generally like to skate clean boards without too much going on but occasionally we do more full graphics and some wilder ones.
Favourite April graphic of all time?
I love the original Yuto Fuji board we made. The nice colours and layout of that board are great to me. Also our chrome rose board. Skating that always felt amazing.
Do you have any superstitions about boards?
Nah I don’t haha.
Top stain preferences?
With April we switch them up depending on the graphic so I like to skate them all. I hear some people don’t like certain colours but I don’t mind any.
Have you had to setup a smaller or bigger board for any specific tricks recently?
Absolutely!! I set up an 8.5 to try a trick where you have to go crazy fast and my set up wasn’t cutting it, haha. The bigger board, trucks and wheels definitely helped.
Are you hands on about all of the shapes for April? is there anyone on the squad who you had to work closely with to make sure what they’re skating is just right?
Yeah I choose all of the shapes and sizes and continue to add more to our options. Guy, Ronnie, Dashawn all have their own custom shapes. Most of the other skaters are like me and just stick to their usual shape.
TRUCK CHOICE
Shane O’Neill’s trucks. His trucks of choice are Thunder High 147 Lights
What trucks are you riding right now?
Thunder high 147 lights, my pro truck with a Commodore graphic.
Do you prefer the Hollows or the Titanium lights?
Both are great to me. At the moment I’m skating the Hollows.
Do you ever mess around with bushings?
I skate the stock bushing that come in the trucks. Occasionally if they break I’ll get packets of Thunder bushings to replace them
Trucks the same tightness for everything?
No way, I loosen and tighten my trucks, depends on what I’m skating or trying. In general I skate them medium
Have you tried the inverted kingpins?
I have tried a pair and they were good.
Always straight silver?
Usually yeah. Maybe a hit of colour here or there but I love straight silver trucks.
When do you switch them out? Is there a scenario where you prefer a brand new hanger?
I use trucks for as long as possible, until they break or the bolts are too threaded to fix. There’s nothing like worn in trucks with new everything else
Any washer or wheel nut madness?
Nah, haha.
WHEELS AND BEARINGS
Shane O’ Neill opting for Spifire 50mm Formula Four Classics with Modus Titanium Bearings
What is your Spitfire wheel of choice and what size is your preference?
Formula 4 Classics, I ride size 50mm but I’ll get bigger wheels if needed for anything specific.
Graphics in or out?
Graphics in for sure.
Do you ever switch up shapes for anything?
I don’t.
Do you ever switch up formula? Have the Soft Sliders ever entered the picture to unlock a spot?
I usually stick to the classics, they do the job for me.
When do you change up your wheels?
I skate 50mm wheels so probably once they are like 47s. Usually I just change them with a new set up here and there.
Tolerance for coloured wheels?
Haha, I don’t mind them in other people’s footy.
What bearings are you skating right now?
Modus bearings at the moment, the Titanium ones.
Shields on or off?
Shields on.
HARDWARE
Clean and classic hardware choices, black Miles griptape and 7/8″ diamond bolts
What griptape do you prefer?
Miles Griptape.
Do you like to leave it as is or sand it down from the get-go?
Miles is the perfect grip for me so nothing needed.
Anything you do to differentiate your tail and nose?
Not with the grip, with my board shape it is easy to tell.
What bolts do you prefer?
Diamond bolts the 7/8″ ones.
That’s the whole board covered. Any other tweaks? I’ve noticed you opt for a sticker-less scenario…
I’ll put a sticker here or there occasionally but for the most part I like to keep the graphic how it is.
Many people opt out of one of these things but do you like the new shoe, new board, new wheels Christmas complete feeling?
I like the all new situation but not new trucks! Those have to be worn in for sure.
textbook two-piece on the same ledge at Shane’s new park. Nollie flip crooked grind and crooked grind – nollie frontside kickflip out
Thanks for your time Shane, are there any projects you have on the horizon you’re excited about?
Absolutely, so many! There’s the April video, the anime video, new products, and just skating in general. I’m happy to be doing it all.
What tricks have you done this year that you’ve never done before and which one felt the best?
I’ve been switch hard flipping this year. I could always do them but pretty bad so it’s been nice to get those a little more comfortable.
Can we expect to see you in London any time soon?
I will be in London and Paris in the next month if plans stay the same. Really looking forward to being back in the UK
There’s never been a better time to buy a skateboard with more products on the market than ever before. That influx of info for someone starting out could be overwhelming. What would you recommend to someone reading this who is just starting out and may find making decisions daunting or confusing?
I think you have to just go into a skate shop and spend some time in there. Take a good look and the shapes and graphics that you like and just give it a go. If there are brands that have skaters on the team or pros that you like it’s always nice to support them. It goes a long way. Other than that I’d say lean on friends for advice on what to do.
Anyone you want to thank?
In general a big thanks to everyone at April and the rest of my sponsors for helping. Thanks to the distros and skate shops for keeping skateboarding going. Thanks for everyone who supports the companies I’m a part of. I appreciate the love.
We want to thank Shane for timing this one alongside his busy schedule. Be sure to follow April Skateboards and Shane O’Neill on Instagram for regular updates and skateboarding transmissions of the highest grade.
If Shane’s rundown of what works for him has left you inspired then you can shop with us for the same products and many more from: April, Thunder, Spitfire, and Modus.
Previous “My Board” Interviews: Dougie George , Chris Pulman , Mark “Fos” Foster