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How the “King of Concrete” Found Mindfulness in Skating and Life.

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The final episode of Red Bull’s ‘Skate Tales’ season 4 brings viewers face-to-face with one of skateboarding’s most influential figures, Peter Hewitt, as he reflects on his journey from a fearless pioneer of transition skating to someone who now embraces a quieter, more balanced life. Once known for his aggressive, all-or-nothing style, Hewitt now shares a surprising new side – one that favours tranquillity and reflection.

Peter Hewitt and Madars Apse seen during “Skate Tales – Madars Apse’s Global Underground Season 4” in Argentina in 2024. // Rye Beres / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202405300181 // Usage for editorial use only //

The 80/20 Snapshot:

Legacy: Peter Hewitt is a legendary skateboarder known as the “King of Concrete,” celebrated for his raw and fearless skateboarding style in the 1990s and early 2000s. He’s often referred to as “your favourite skater’s favourite skater,” highlighting his influence among peers.

Mindfulness: Today, Hewitt has shifted his focus from high-energy performances to a more balanced lifestyle, embracing self-awareness through practices like meditation and gardening.

Resilience: Despite the wear and tear on his body, Hewitt remains tenacious. He acknowledges: “I’ve always had injuries my whole life, so it’s not anything new when it does happen. But I’m not going to stop. I just want to get back there, trying to get back to where I was.”

Positivity: His approach to injury has evolved; he now prioritises optimism and support for fellow skaters. “If I’m hurt, I still go to the skate park and cheer my friends on… I believe you can heal yourself if you stay positive about it.”
Simplicity: As he reflects on his journey, he embraces the purity of skating. “It’s a nice way to get out of bed, a good way to start the day,” he says, describing his warm-up routine on a Polarizer skateboard, which represents a full-circle moment in his skating career.

Peter Hewitt seen during “Skate Tales – Madars Apse’s Global Underground Season 4” in Argentina in 2024. // Rye Beres / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202405300178 // Usage for editorial use only //

Insights:

– Hewitt’s skateboarding career is legendary. Often hailed as the undisputed “king of concrete” and even referred to as “your favourite skater’s favourite skater”, his reputation is built on a foundation of raw and fearless skateboarding. From the 1990s through the early 2000s, his daring, high-energy performances in pools, bowls, and vert ramps earned him credibility as one of the most intense skaters of his time. Known for his ethos of “do it first, worry about it later” and “all in or nothing”, Hewitt’s style demanded commitment, balance, and improvisation, making him a defining force in transition skating.

– Episode 4 captures this legacy, featuring iconic footage of Hewitt’s greatest feats, including the “Hewitt Gap” and his attempts at Tony Hawk’s Loop, all part of his undeniable contribution to the rebellious skateboarding subculture.

– Yet, the most compelling part of the episode isn’t Hewitt’s past. It’s the present-day portrait of a man who has shifted his focus from raw energy to mindful living. While once defined by speed, intensity, and recklessness, Hewitt, now in his 50s, has found solace in slowing down and becoming more in tune with both his body and mind.

– “Checking in with your body is a good thing, which I’ve just figured out – and I’m 50!”, Hewitt chuckles. “I used to make bad decisions skating because I was too committed. But I’m wiser now, so I make better decisions, though I still f—k up,” he adds.

– Hewitt’s life today is much quieter, a far cry from the fast-paced dynamite he once was. Little has been known about his day-to-day until now, and this episode offers a “surprise” glimpse into his current routine. Hewitt has found a sense of peace, shifting his focus towards mindfulness practices like meditation and gardening. “Gardening helps with my brain, for sure. I can kind of get out of my head in a similar way,” he explains. “Even if it’s just a plant in your house that you’re trying to keep alive, that’s gardening.”

– Despite his age and the wear and tear on his body, Hewitt’s love for skateboarding remains as fierce as ever. His sessions now begin with warming up on a Polarizer skateboard, a simple, narrow board meant more for cruising than for tricks. For Hewitt, this minimalist skateboard symbolises his journey of letting go of the need to push boundaries and embracing a purer form of the sport. “It’s a nice way to get out of bed, a good way to start the day,” he reflects, describing how the Polarizer has brought him back to the simple joys of riding.

– Though challenging to manoeuvre due to its narrow build and limited turning radius, the Polarizer skateboard represents a full-circle moment for Hewitt, who has transitioned from thrilling tricks to the most fundamental form of skating: just riding.

– Hewitt’s resilience is as evident as ever, even as injuries continue to be a familiar part of his life. Reflecting on his past, he acknowledges: “I’ve always had injuries my whole life, so it’s not anything new when it does happen. But I’m not going to stop. I just want to get back there, trying to get back to where I was,” he shares.

– This mental fortitude, alongside the wisdom gained from age, has reshaped how he approaches his life and skating. “If I’m hurt, I still go to the skate park and cheer my friends on… I believe you can heal yourself if you stay positive about it.”

– ‘Skate Tales’ has consistently told the stories of skateboarding’s most influential figures, and with Peter Hewitt, it delivers a powerful conclusion. He is no longer the “Doctor Power” of his youth, endlessly pushing his limits, but rather a man at peace with his evolution. This final episode of season 4 invites viewers to celebrate the journey of one of skateboarding’s most revered personalities and to reflect on how time, mental fitness, and self-awareness can bring balance – even to those who once thrived in chaos.

Watch ‘Skate Tales’ 4, Episode 4 with Peter Hewitt HERE.

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