Dan Pitcher: Anti-comp, comp skater.
Words and interview by Shannon Farrugia
Photos and videos by Luke Brown
It was 40 degrees celcius at Belco Bowl Jam 2026. Dan wore a long-sleeve. Dustin Dollin looks on.
I’d rather watch a large-scale commercial skateboarding event than the footy on TV. Without question. However, as stoked as I am to see skateboarding infiltrate the mainstream, the cringe factor still lingers. The purist in me can’t help but have an adverse reaction. Just saying.
Not to mention the perceived dilution of the misfit, raw, outcast element of the culture that originally drew me to skateboarding in the first place. Transition skateboarding seems the most susceptible to the aforementioned infiltration, with its big airs, excessive spinning, clean-cut, padded-up athletes getting their reps in, as practiced with their coach at training the Tuesday before. I get it. It’s digestible for the casual, uneducated sports fan.
Anyway, this is a roundabout way of saying that Dan Pitcher is a next-generation transition skateboarder still holding the torch for something that doesn’t fit into that category.
Yes, he loves a skate comp, goes in them all the time actually. Does he wear pads? No. Does he have “100% Aussie Beef” tattooed on his arse after losing a bet? Yes. Can he do a 540 in a run? Maybe… if he’s feeling it.
I recently hit him up with a few interview questions to get a small insight into the Brisbane local who Texas-Planted and Seatbelt Smith-grinded his way into the hearts of the crowd at this year’s Belco Bowl Jam.
For people who don’t know you yet, how would you describe your skating in a sentence?
If I’m skating, 93% of the time I’m doing it like I bloody mean it.
How old were you when you started skating?
Around 8 or 9 years old
Why were you drawn to transition skateboarding more so than street/park etc?
Probably because of the skate parks I grew up skating and the locals there. Everyone my age wanted to be a street skater and I just wasn’t that interested in it.
Seatbelt Smith on the extension, Ballina, NSW.
Describe the local skate scene in Brisbane and Gold Coast right now…
Brisbane is interesting. Honestly the whole time growing up it felt like it was dying. Transition skaters missed it by 5 years I reckon. But recently a few new shops have popped up and the street skating scene has kinda stepped up. But there seems to be a clear divide between who goes to what shop. Bit odd.
Seatbelt smith grind, Bar Beach, NSW
Gold Coast on the other hand… not to sure about. Seems like every one is just trying to be the next Olympic gold medalist haha. Skate park etiquette and general communication at some parks is just out the door. But in amongst that, there is some good places to be, and good people around.
Are there any underrated skaters people should be paying attention to?
My good mate Josh (@skatetrees3) just sends it down some hectic hills, and rips in general, bloody legend he is. And one of the Goldie boys Charlie (@charlie_hollandd) ripped Belco this year.
Mohawk Backsmith, Bangalow, NSW.
You were a standout at Belco Bowl Jam this year. Why does an event like that appeal to you more than a traditional skate comp?
It’s the annual pilgrimage to Belco! Such a fun time, and honestly surprised myself with how I skated, maybe the Mohawk gave me powers haha. Jam style events are just the best though, get to have a few drinks, not take it too serious, and hang out with all my mates at the same time.
Favourite trick right now?
Texas plant for sure.
Texas plant, add-on extension flatbar, Belco Bowl Jam 2026, CBR.
“If I’m skating, 93% of the time I’m doing it like I bloody mean it”.
Dan and Swellbows, Belco Bowl Jam 2026, CBR.
Most hated/illegal bowl trick?
Indy fakie below the coping, or pushing in the bottom of the bowl haha.
Backside nose-blunt, while Taj Wolfenden floats a frontside stale-fish, Five Dock, NSW.
One spot you could skate forever?
The God Bowl including the whole park + mini ramp. Could do for some new coping in the bowl soon though.
Dan, Austin Bailey and Footy Guy, Belco Bowl Jam 2026, CBR.
Where do you see yourself (in regards to skateboarding) in the next 5 years?
Hopefully still having time to do it while juggling work and life and doing exactly what I’m doing now better or worse as long as I can still get to skate.
Shoutouts?
Shout out to Jorge (@Swellbows) for pushing me the last year, and my good mate Lincoln for being my fake skatepark Dad.
To Luke Newman who runs Cockroach Wheels. Thanks for supporting me. Tony and Freddie at Truckstop Skate Shop as well. Both of those brands are as fucking real as it gets with skating, so go and show them some support.
Facebook is still a thing. Talk shit there and follow.
Scroll ya life away on Instagram and follow Shan @terrible.happy
Luke Brown takes rad photos follow him @vagabondedit
