When Johnny Tang first moved to China his mum told him there were only “dirt roads and horses” to try and suppress his desire to skate – a pretty non-traditional pastime for a grown man in Shanghai. But what Johnny Tang found instead was a giant skatepark.
We travel to Shanghai to meet Johnny and find out what skating looks like in an authoritarian state — in our latest video in collaboration with Levi’s Skateboarding, to celebrate The Skateboarding Special II – stories of independence in skateboarding worldwide – .
You can read more about the nascent scene in this story by Charlotte Middlehurst, originally printed in The Skateboarding Special II itself.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
The Blessed Madonna: “Dance music flourishes in times of difficulty”
The DJ talks about her debut album ‘Godspeed’, connection and resistance on the dance floor, the US election and more alongside exclusive pictures from her album release party.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Revisiting the birth of skate culture in 1970s Los Angeles
New photobook ‘Last Days of Summer: California Skateboarding Archive 1975–1978’ looks back at an iconic chapter of youth culture.
Written by: Miss Rosen
An unnerving portrait of the USA’s fractured society
A new photobook explores America’s increasing inequality, division and toxic culture wars in a historic election year.
Written by: Isaac Muk
“Music can save you for a day”: Touché Amoré on social media and subcultures
To celebrate a new album and reflect on a decade and a half of being themselves, frontman Jeremy Bolm chats about opening up via lyrics, subcultures in the internet age, and the hardcore re-revival.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Meet the Paratriathlete who cheated death twice
A near fatal training crash ruined British Paralympian George Peasgood’s Paris 2024 plans. As he recovers, his life and outlook are changing – will LA 2028 be part of his future?
Written by: Sheridan Wilbur
A glimpse of life for women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule
‘NO WOMAN’S LAND’ has been awarded the prestigious 14th Carmignac Photojournalism Award and will be exhibited at the Réfectoire des Cordelieres in Paris this autumn.
Written by: Isaac Muk