IN CONVERSATION WITH TOM SCHAAR

Numéro Netherlands Digital presents Tom Schaar in a romantic summer editorial. Schaar is an Olympic medalist and skateboarding prodigy. He made history as the first skateboarder to complete a 1080-degree spin. On top of that be became the youngest gold medalist ever at the X games in Shanghai 2012. He has continued to show his prowess by winning a silver medal in the men’s park skateboarding competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

full look THOM BROWNE

You made history as the first skateboarder to land a 1080. Can you take us back to that moment, what was going through your mind as you pulled it off?

I had just learned 900, the trick Tony Hawk invented, and thought I might be able to add one more rotation. I practiced on trampolines until it felt controlled, and then tried it on a board. Surprisingly, it only took five tries, and rolling away from it felt surreal. I ended up landing it seven times before moving on to other goals.

At just 12 years old, you became the youngest X Games gold medalist. How did achieving such a major milestone at such a young age shape your mindset as an athlete?

It was amazing just to skate alongside the pros I had always looked up to. To then leave with a gold medal was incredibly special. The X Games played a huge role in shaping my skating, it was what inspired me as a kid. 

full look PRADA

Being featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 in Sports is a huge honor. What does that kind of recognition mean to you?

It still blows my mind that I was even considered for that list. I’m genuinely honored to be mentioned alongside so many incredible athletes and innovators. It’s one of those things I’ll always be proud of.

At the 2024 Summer Olympics, you won a silver medal. How did the Olympic experience compare to competing in the X Games or other pro skate competitions?

My Olympic experience was a bit different from most. I barely made the team, so I went in with a mindset of “I’m just grateful to be here.” That perspective took a lot of the pressure off and actually helped me perform better. The level of skating at the Olympics is similar to the X Games, it’s mostly the same group of elite skaters. The main difference is the structure around it, especially with things like year-round drug testing and the scale of the global stage.

full look MIU MIU

What kind of preparation, mentally and physically, went into getting ready for the 2024 Olympics?

I was skating six to seven days a week, usually for a few hours a day. Outside of that, I was in the gym almost daily focusing on strength training and injury prevention. Yoga helped with flexibility, and I made sure to eat clean and stay mentally balanced. A lot of the prep was about building endurance and dialing in new tricks to be competition-ready.

shirt ALEXANDER WANG
blazer SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
pants WILLY CHAVERIQ

With skateboarding still relatively new to the Olympic scene, what do you hope the next generation takes away from seeing it on such a global stage?

I hope they see that at its core, skating is about having fun. Sure, competition can be intense, but we all start skating because we love it. The skate community is like no other. We might be competing against each other, but off our boards, we’re close friends. That’s what it’s really about, having fun and pushing each other to be better. 

You've been in the spotlight from such a young age. How have you managed the pressure and stayed grounded over the years?

I’ve been lucky to have a strong support system who’ve helped me navigate the highs and lows. But at the end of the day, it's about how much pressure you put on yourself. Managing your own expectations can be tough, but if you're dedicated and consistent, nothing is impossible. And when things get overwhelming, I try to remind myself how lucky I am to be doing what I love for a living. 

Skateboarding is as much an art as it is a sport. How do you approach creativity in your routines or tricks?

Creativity in skating comes from taking inspiration from past generations and mixing it with your own style. It’s important to make things your own. Skating is meant to be unique, and everyone brings something different to it. We’re constantly feeding off each other’s energy, and learning new tricks with friends always makes it more fun and creative.

full look WILLY CHIVERIA

cap PINEL ISLAND
shirt and pants LEOWE
trenchand flip flops GAP

What's next for you? Any new tricks you're working on or competitions you're eyeing?

I’ve got a five-page trick list saved in my notes that I’m slowly chipping away at. Most of it is wild ideas that randomly come to me. Some might work, some might not. But that’s part of the process. You never know what’s going to work until you try.

Tell us more about yourself outside of skateboarding. What are the things you enjoy the most in your free time?

When I’m not traveling, I love spending time with my family or playing video games with my childhood friends. I’m also a huge MLB and NBA fan, so I try to catch a few games in person each year. It’s nice to have those outlets to reset and recharge.

top 16 ARLINGTON
jacket DRIES VAN NOTTEN JACKET
boxers GAP
boots WALES BONER

TEAM CREDITS:

talent TOM SCHAAR
photography KANE OCEAN
styling DONTÉ MCGUINE
groomer FRANCESCA MARIA
production BRADLEY VOISSEM
executive production KENDALL WERTS
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial direction and interview JANA LETONJA