Photo: Tony Woodward
In this special feature, Frank 151 sits down with one of Australia’s most enduring skateboarding icons, Anthony Mapstone—a name that resonates deeply within the core of the skate scene Down Under and beyond. With decades of experience under his belt, Mapstone opens up about his early beginnings, the gritty streets that shaped him, and the tight-knit community that’s always had his back.
From his humble start rolling through Melbourne’s laneways to carving out a respected place in the global skateboarding community, Anthony shares his journey of passion, resilience, and progression. We dive into his influential skate history, from old-school sessions with local legends to his involvement in shaping the Australian scene both on and off the board.
Mapstone also gives us the inside scoop on his latest video project, Passport, reflecting on what it means to still be skating at such a high level while mentoring the next generation. With an authentic voice and decades of experience, he talks about how he’s managed to turn a childhood obsession into a full-time lifestyle—and how he’s never looked back.
Whether it’s talking street spots, style evolution, or the challenges of staying relevant in a constantly shifting skate landscape, Anthony Mapstone proves he’s still riding strong, doing what he loves most. This one’s for the true heads.
Frank 151: You just dropped a part with Passport at 52—that’s huge. What inspired you to put this part together?
I had been filming a few things here and there with Zoolz, Geoff Campbell and more. Zoolz showed the footage to Trent at Passport then Trent set up a breakfast meeting with himself, Sparkes and me whilst I was up in Sydney in early March 2024 for an event. They surprised me with the idea of doing a guest board/ capsule which would also entail putting a part out for it.
Frank 151: Was the process of filming this part different now compared to earlier in your career?
I guess it involved much less throwing myself down rails and stairs like in the early 2000s Xen and Play videos. So basically trying to film stuff that the body can handle at this age. It was of course still a heap of fun going out to different areas and finding new or old spots and giving them a rebirth. A 9 day Sydney trip strictly focused on filming was so fun. 9 clips in 9 days and laughing non stop with so many fun crew in Sydney.
Frank 151: What does it mean to you to still be putting out footage after all these years?
Just the fact that I want to be productive with skating and trying to push myself to get clips at different looking spots but still within my capabilities. Thinking outside the box a bit and realising I can only put my body through so much. It still feels just like it was many years ago but I need to be smarter about what my body can or can’t handle.
Frank 151: You’ve had a long history both skating and filming—how does that dual perspective influence the way you approach skating today?
No It just seems normal to do both. Skate yourself and film your friends on the sessions. We have just always tried to film tricks going back decades. Does that make any sense? ha ha. I still remember filming and editing the first Cheapskates video, The Square, back in 1993, when we lived in Auckland for a few years. It’s pretty much still the same. Just take the camera out on the sessions and film. My brother Anderw and I always took it in turns with filming.
Frank 151: Tell us about your current role at Fast Times. What does a typical day look like for you there?
I do the hardware buying, skate team management, some event stuff and a variety of other tasks as they come up. I don’t really have typical days but do work Mon to Fri. There is quite a bit in it all.
Anthony reflecting on this backside tailslide. Photo: Tomoki Peters
Frank 151: What’s your take on the current state of the Australian skateboarding scene?
The best! My favorite skateboarding to watch is Australian. So many good skaters, videos, brands and events seem to be happening and coming out of Australia. It is definitely world class and in some ways I would say it is inspiring skaters from other parts of the world. So many travelers that come to Melbourne have told me they always wanted to come here after seeing all the spots in videos and magazines.
Frank 151: Are there any upcoming Australian skaters or crews you’re especially excited about right now?
Probably way too many to list. Some examples are Dante Narita Johnson, Eli Waterson, Hayley Wilson, Chloe Covell, Riley Pavey, Danny Fish, the Hoddle guys, The Passport squad, Rowan Davis, Kaito Davidson, Rome Collyer, Tai Wepa, Gary Alameda…ther list goes on and on.
Frank 151: What keeps you motivated to keep skating and contributing to the culture after all these years?
I just love skateboarding. Kinda don’t know any other way…I just always wanna skate. Pretty simple answer I guess? ha ha
Frank 151: Any advice for older skaters—or younger ones trying to stay in it for the long haul?
Try to think about being healthier. I never really thought about much when I was in my teens or twenties as my body could handle most spills but it catches up with you. I feel pretty sore most days, but a good kinda sore knowing it’s from having fun skating. I do think there is a lot more awareness about health and fitness nowadays for sure.
Frank 151: What’s next for you, both on and off the board?
Just keep skating until I can’t. I’m still having so much fun skating. Keep filming and helping my friends get clips, finding new spots. When I’m not skating, I just want to rest my body, spend time with family and friends, chill out, read, play guitar, boxing, explore cool places around Victoria and Australia, and try new adventures?