Always Pushing" a new story built by Vans vol.1 "WABI-SABI" challenged by skater Ayanosuke Hasegawa.

Always Pushing. Always pushing, always more. Recognizing this, Vans riders repeatedly challenge themselves to push the limits of what they can do. This article is part of a Series that explores the mindset and motivations of Vans riders who are always seeking to improve their skills. In this first installment, we are joined by skater Ayanosuke Hasegawa, who appears in the latest Vans video "WABI-SABI," which will be released on August 17 (Saturday). We spoke with him , focusing on the story behind the film.

Text_Shogo Komatsu
Edit_Amane Yasuda

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WABI-SABI" overcame an injury.

-For you, Hasegawa, "WABI-SABI" is the first full part to be released by Vans.

Hasegawa:I was so happy when I heard about the opportunity. I thought, "If I'm going to be able to make a video for Vans, I'm going to have to be even more enthusiastic than usual.

-When did you start production?

Hasegawa:We started in November last year, and we were planning to go to LA and Taiwan, but I got injured, so we shot mainly in Tokyo, but also in Okinawa.

-Where did you hurt yourself?

Hasegawa:. I broke my left ankle in February and couldn't ski for about four months. We were actually supposed to finish filming in May, but we had to extend the shoot until the end of July. . With other videos, we often don't shoot at the spot where I broke my ankle, but change to a different spot. But since it was a "Vans" film, I wanted to make up the injured spot, so I tried again.

-What was the spot like?

Hasegawa:It was a spot for rails, but it took me a while to get in at first because there was a lot of traffic and I needed to concentrate. . I got some good pictures, but I couldn't make them up, so I couldn't use them. . I was so frustrated that I was determined to get in. Without the makeup, I felt that my part would not be complete. . I was able to do the makeup successfully, and they used it for the final scene.

-That is something to look forward to! What other memories do you have from the filming of WABI-SABI?

Hasegawa:I had a lot of fun when the riders from " Vans " in Osaka came to Tokyo and we filmed for 5 days while staying at an Airbnb. It was super chaotic (laughs). (Laughs.) Everyone in Osaka talked a lot, so it was interesting.

-Last year, you participated in the video "Lava," which featured Vans riders from various Asian countries. Do you feel that you have grown since then?

Hasegawa:I think I've gotten a little better, my body has grown and I have more spots to challenge myself. . also, I think my mentality has gotten stronger. . I was scared to try again to challenge the spot where I got injured, but now I want to do it.

-What was the driving force behind it?

Hasegawa:I felt like I had no choice but to do this video because it was for "Vans," a brand that attracts the attention of people overseas. I was more serious than ever. The day before shooting, or before going to a spot, I was really scared. But when I got on, I was so excited. That makes me really happy, so I feel like I have no choice but to do it.

-I know things didn't always go well, but how did you turn things around?

Hasegawa:I was skateboarding with friends. Filming and skating on the street is totally different from skating in the park with friends. Filming is fun but scary, and you have to be careful because there are streets all over the place. When you skate with friends in the park, there are only skaters around, so it's easy.

-Skateboarding is skateboarding for relaxation, isn't it?

Hasegawa:Yes, I do. I don't have many hobbies other than skateboarding.

-How do you feel now that "WABI-SABI" is completed?

Hasegawa:I've done it. . just now, I am experiencing burnout.

Video to make your dreams come true .

-What do you find freeing about skateboarding?

Hasegawa:In skateboarding, it is sometimes cooler to attack a spot that no one else is doing or a spot that is unusual than to do difficult tricks in a regular spot. That's where I feel the freedom. In "WABI-SABI," there are some spots in Tokyo that no one knows about, so I want people to pay attention to them.

-What kind of skateboarding are you doing with your friends these days, other than filming "WABI-SABI"?

Hasegawa:. my friends and I pooled our money together and bought a camera. It's not a stiff shoot like "WABI-SABI," but it's fun to shoot on the street with everyone. . It's more fun to skate together than alone. . Filming my friends' footage motivates me.

-What would be the ideal video for us to shoot ourselves ,?

Hasegawa:Personally, I like simple videos . I also like "Vans" videos because of their simplicity in editing.

-By the way, do you have a favorite Vans rider?

Hasegawa:There are a lot of them , but lately I like Nick Makel and Nellie Mobile. The choice of spots, the fashion, everything is cool.

-What kind of inspiration do you get from these professional skaters?

Hasegawa:If I see a spot being used in an interesting way, I want to try it myself. I sometimes talk with my friends about how this spot looks like someone else's, and I try to do the same trick that they did in the video. The same trick can look completely different in different spots, and of course, different people can do different tricks. That's what makes it interesting. I sometimes wear the same shoes as my favorite skaters.

-What model of "Vans" shoes have you been wearing lately?

Hasegawa:. "old school" or "half-cab" shoes. I like the way they look and they are easy to match with my clothes. Above all, they are the easiest to ride a skateboard in . I've been wearing them since I was little. . I don't want to skateboard in shoes I don't want to wear. My motivation changes depending on the shoes.

-What is your goal now?

Hasegawa:. I would like to go to various places with "Vans" and take pictures. . Also, my immediate goal is to become a rider of the deck I am currently riding, and eventually I would like to be supported as a professional by that brand as well.

-What are you working on to achieve this?

Hasegawa:I want to make good videos and have people in the U.S. watch them. I would like to skate with many American skaters. I want to work with the local Vans skaters and stay there for a long time.