Skateboarding has always been about pushing beyond boundaries — physically, mentally, and geographically. Few brands embody this restless, rebellious spirit quite like Independent Trucks. Since its founding in 1978, Indy has been more than just a truck manufacturer; it’s a symbol of raw, untamed skateboarding energy.

When Independent Trucks announced the “DOWN HERE” tour across Australia, expectations skyrocketed. Australia, with its rugged landscapes, DIY concrete, and sun-soaked street spots, offers a perfect canvas for a tour that promises grit, style, and an unfiltered love of skating.

The “DOWN HERE” video and photo documentation released earlier this year is more than a tour recap — it’s a love letter to skateboarding’s global brotherhood, set against the uniquely vibrant backdrop of Australia.

The Crew: Icons and Upstarts

The magic of a skate tour lies in its crew — the personalities, the skills, the unpredictable chemistry. For “DOWN HERE,” Indy assembled a potent mix of heavy hitters and young guns: Grant Taylor, Milton Martinez, Mason Silva, Cody Chapman, and countless other familiar faces who live and breathe the Independent “Ride the Best” mantra.

Grant Taylor, with his effortless transitions and breakneck speed, sets the tone. He’s the embodiment of controlled chaos, always on the edge yet impossibly smooth. Milton Martinez, coming off his 2019 Skater of the Year run, showcases his unstoppable power, taking down the gnarliest spots with an all-or-nothing approach. Mason Silva, precise and explosive, attacks rails and gaps with refreshing aggression. Cody Chapman, more than just a transition wizard, shows how to blend lines creatively in street and park settings.

The diversity of styles in this crew perfectly mirrors the diverse landscapes of Australia — from crusty DIY spots to expansive bowls and endless urban ledges.

Australia: The Untamed Playground

Why Australia? To anyone who’s watched the footage or followed skate culture, the answer is obvious. The continent’s unique mix of harsh urban sprawl, coastal cities, and remote towns offers a treasure trove of skate spots.

In Sydney, the crew ripped through iconic plazas and hidden ledges, each trick echoing across the harbor city’s skyline. Melbourne brought a different flavor — its rich skate history and mosaic of DIY spots became the perfect testing ground for big airs and creative lines.

The true gems, however, lay beyond the cities. Regional parks, gnarly ditch spots, and backyard ramp setups presented raw canvases where skaters could truly unleash. In the footage, you feel the heat radiating off cracked concrete, hear the grind of metal on rough edges, and sense the deep camaraderie only possible on the road.

The Philosophy: “F**k the Rules”

At its core, Independent Trucks has always represented anti-establishment skateboarding. The “DOWN HERE” tour is no polished, corporate skate event. There are no fences, no security details, no rehearsed tricks for cameras. This is pure skateboarding — spontaneous, rebellious, and joyful in its imperfections.

You see the crew sharing beers after a heavy session, fixing broken boards with duct tape, pushing each other into trying just one more wall ride despite exhausted legs. There’s a rawness to it all that transcends polished highlight reels — a return to skating as it was meant to be.

The Vibe: Heat, Dust, and Adrenaline

Australia’s climate becomes almost a character itself in “DOWN HERE.” Scorching sun, relentless wind, and unexpected rain showers force the crew to adapt constantly. Sessions start early to beat the heat, with nights spent recovering over cheap eats and endless laughs.

These environmental challenges echo the core ethos of Indy: resilience. Watching Milton Martinez hurl himself down an unforgiving set after multiple slams, or seeing Grant Taylor float above deep bowl transitions despite blistering winds, is both inspiring and intimidating. The footage captures sweat dripping, hands bleeding, and boards snapping — the physical cost of true progression.

The Spots: DIY Dreamscape

Australian skate culture thrives on DIY ethos. In “DOWN HERE,” some of the most memorable moments occur at homemade spots. Crumbling ledges patched with quick-set cement, backyard pools turned into sketchy vertical playgrounds, and abandoned industrial lots turned into makeshift skateparks — these spaces represent freedom in its purest form.

The Melbourne DIY scene, for example, provided some standout segments. Watching Mason Silva thread lines through tight, unpredictable setups is a masterclass in adaptability. Meanwhile, Cody Chapman’s flowing approach in backyard pools pays homage to skateboarding’s early roots in empty California swimming pools.

The Footage: Beyond the Trick

The “DOWN HERE” film is not just a sequence of tricks; it’s a narrative. Shot with a mix of VX cameras and high-definition rigs, the footage blends grainy authenticity with crisp detail, evoking nostalgia while showcasing modern skate progression.

Filmmakers captured every nuance — the smack of wheels on concrete, the ecstatic yells after a clean landing, the collective groans after a gnarly slam. These soundscapes create an immersive experience, making you feel the heat and adrenaline as if you were right there, board in hand.

The Impression: Global Brotherhood

Skateboarding tours often end up being brand promotion exercises. “DOWN HERE” transcends that. It’s not just about selling trucks or pushing products; it’s about connecting cultures through shared passion.

Local skaters in each city were invited to join sessions, resulting in spontaneous jams that blurred the line between pro and amateur. Young kids watched their heroes up close, often joining in, sharing spots, and soaking up the experience.

This accessibility cements Independent Trucks’ reputation as a brand for the people, not just for contest-winning elites. It reinforces the belief that skateboarding is, above all, a communal act of creativity and courage.

Australia’s Skate Scene: A Thriving Undercurrent

While “DOWN HERE” highlights the visiting pros, it also shines a light on Australia’s flourishing skate scene. Homegrown talents like Jack O’Grady, Rowan Davis, and Shanae Collins are pushing boundaries and garnering global recognition.

DIY parks continue to sprout in unexpected places, community skate events are booming, and cities are slowly becoming more accommodating of skate culture. The presence of global teams like Indy not only validates this local energy but fuels it further, inspiring the next generation of skaters to dream bigger and grind harder.

The Gear: Trucks That Withstand Anything

While the focus is on skating, you can’t help but notice the gear’s role in enabling such heavy riding. Independent Trucks have long held the reputation for durability and precision, and “DOWN HERE” is a living testament to that legacy.

From nose slides on crusty ledges to massive pool carves, the trucks endure relentless punishment without fail. Riders swap boards and wheels constantly, but the trucks remain steadfast. It’s a subtle yet powerful advertisement for the craftsmanship that goes into every pair of Indys.

The Takeaway: Ride Fast, Stay Free

“DOWN HERE” is more than a tour — it’s a philosophy in motion. It reaffirms skateboarding’s most important lesson: freedom. Freedom to explore, to fail, to create, to live on your own terms.

Australia, with its vast and varied terrains, becomes a metaphor for this freedom. Wide open highways, hidden backyard gems, and unpolished street spots offer an endless playground for those bold enough to explore.

Independent Trucks reminds us that no matter where you are — Sydney, Melbourne, a remote mining town, or your own local park — the spirit of skateboarding is alive in every push, every grind, every slam, and every triumphant roll-away.

The Legacy of “DOWN HERE”

As the footage from “DOWN HERE” continues to circulate online and inspire skaters worldwide, its impact only grows. It’s a rare example of a brand tour that feels less like a corporate showcase and more like a cultural event.

For Independent Trucks, this tour consolidates decades of credibility and connection with real skaters. It celebrates the raw joy of skateboarding, the brotherhood it fosters, and the landscapes that shape our experiences.

In a time when many skate tours feel scripted and sanitized, “DOWN HERE” serves as a crucial reminder: skateboarding is still wild, still rough, and still gloriously unpredictable. And as long as there are skaters willing to go the distance, Independent Trucks will be there — carrying them through every drop-in, every crusty bank, and every new frontier they dare to conquer.

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