We met Piotr in 2024 during a difficult period in our lives; my wife and I were new here in Zurich and hadn’t yet decided which country to settle in. We needed a place to stay before heading off on a trip, and he offered to host us at his home He didn’t even know us well, and we had only spoken for 20 minutes. I will always be grateful to him for this gesture of trust and selfless help. It’s precisely these kinds of actions and these types of people that skateboarding brings into your life, and that it is one of a thousand reasons why we are so happy to be part of this tribe…We are fortunate.
Frontside heelflip over hip in Hardbrücke pirámid.
I started skating in Lubin, Poland, in summer 2005. It happened thanks to my older sister, Ania. She was listening to Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi” and convinced my dad to buy a skateboard. She didn’t use it much, so I started borrowing it and got hooked fast.
At first it was just me in front of the house, riding off the curb and trying to jump back up. Then I got the THPS2 demo on my PC, and it pushed the obsession even more.
Back then I didn’t even realize there were other skaters in my city. Then I found a crew skating behind a supermarket at the loading dock, and everything became real.
Seeing people land tricks in front of me changed my mindset completely. Everyone was welcoming, and big shoutout to Kosa, who taught me kickflip. I kept coming back whenever the weather was good. I just wanted to skate.
PLUS ONE – Piotr Światowski
Nollie backside nose blunt slide in Tony Areal.
I was young and didn’t have a big plan, but Barcelona always stood out to me. I watched a lot of Polish skate tours there, and so many videos had footage from Barcelona. It felt like the peak of street skating at the time. I think subconsciously I knew I wanted to go there and skate.
A: It was Prague, mostly skating the main plaza with homies from Wrocław. That’s where I really fell in love with street skating, ledges, marble, and building lines. The trip was so memorable that I kept coming back every year for the next few years.
Backside smithgrind in Techno park.
I don’t think I ever thought about it that way. I try not to put age limits on skating. I just knew I wanted it to be part of my life for as long as possible.
Some days I don’t have the same energy for heavy street missions, but I’m still happy to show up and support my friends. These days I can get almost the same satisfaction from seeing my friends land their tricks as I do from landing mine.
Back when I started, the main scene felt far away in Warsaw. In my hometown street skating wasn’t really accepted. People would often call the police, and we didn’t have many skateparks.
Now the scene in Poland is strong in many cities. You can really feel it when there’s new energy, especially when there’s a filmer and a local brand building something. Shoutout to Holo Skate in Wrocław.
I used to live in Barcelona for about two years. I made some good friends there who are still living there, and I’m always happy to visit. Big thanks to Mark and Filip who always make me feel like home out there.
I’ve thought about moving back a few times, but lately Zurich feels like my home.
The biggest twist for me is that I never thought I’d move away from Poland. After my studies I imagined a normal life there, family, house, car, because that’s what felt common.
Then my ex-girlfriend got a project in the U.S. I supported her move, and it pushed me to try life abroad too. I got to travel in California for skating and visit Tampa in Florida. Shoutout to Bejbi for hosting me. After that I found a job in London and spent a few months there.
That whole period broadened my perspective on what’s possible in life, and where you can build it.
Frontside nosebluntslide.
«Some days I don’t have the same energy for heavy street missions, but I’m still happy to show up and support my friends. These days I can get almost the same satisfaction from seeing my friends land their tricks as I do from landing mine».
For me it’s a perfect mix. I studied Software Engineering because I always liked math, and my dad thought it was a solid career path. I’m grateful I went that way.
This job made it possible for me to travel and build a stable balance around skateboarding. I like having both, the mental challenge of engineering and the freedom of skating.
Day to day I try to keep a rhythm. I code first, then skate afterwards. That helps me not burn out on either one.
Filming has always been there for me. I still remember our first skate video with my local crew from Lubin called “Leszczers.” My dad got me my first digital camera. I don’t remember the model, but it worked, and we carried it to every session.
It’s important to me. Making videos is a challenge, and it keeps me curious. Every new project pushes you to explore new ideas, new places, and connect with new people.
Sw Crooked grind.
It was in 2017, a Damn Am contest that was part of the Tampa Am circuit, back when I was living in Barcelona. It was one of the last contests I did, and it made me realize I enjoy street skating more than practicing contest runs.
The level was insane. It was great to be part of it and get inspired. These days I’d still join a contest if it’s open format or a best trick. Those feel more chill, and I’m more likely to try something new.
The idea was always there, to give something back to the skate community and support the younger generation. Then the right moment came, and together with my close friend Wojtek, we felt this was the next step. We’ve been skating and traveling for a long time, and we both work in IT.
The idea came together in Switzerland, inspired by our lifestyle. We didn’t want to build just another skate company. For us it’s progress over perfection, aiming to be a little better every day.
Not one specific name right now, but we want to support younger skaters. I wouldn’t call it a sponsorship yet because we’re still small, but whenever we have a bit of profit we try to give free boards to skaters we see potential in, especially the ones who don’t have support.
I remember how hard it was to get a new board from my parents, so even a small help can mean a lot.
I moved in 2018. After two years in Barcelona I felt like I needed progress in life. The skate life there was great, but for me personally I didn’t feel I could build the next chapter.
Zurich came onto my map and a new work opportunity appeared, so I took it as a try. It turned out better than I expected in terms of skate community, work, and quality of life. I thought it would be temporary, but after eight years I can say it’s my home.
Home, family, community. It’s a small scene, but very supportive. I’m happy to be part of it and contribute as much as I can.
Thanks to everyone who made me feel welcome, and for all the support and sessions over the years.
Crooked grind in ETH university.
I enjoy both. I decide spontaneously.
«Zurich is Home, family, community. It’s a small scene, but very supportive. I’m happy to be part of it and contribute as much as I can.
Thanks to everyone who made me feel welcome, and for all the support and sessions over the years».
I tried many skate spot apps, but none of them worked the way I needed. I’ve been organizing skate trips for a few years, and I missed a collaborative tool where a whole group can collect spots, organize them, and share ideas.
So as a software engineer, together with my skate friends Wojtek and Pawel, we turned the documents we were already using into an app. It came directly from our own experience, connecting my skills with my passion, and we’re keeping it free to support the skate community.
Fronntside Bluntslide.
Nothing major, but there are always small things that don’t fully go away, ankles that don’t recover perfectly, bruised heels, little pains.
Two memorable ones. I broke a tooth when my board hit my face on a nollie noseblunt. Another time I stuck on a super sticky ledge on a backside nosegrind, slammed, and cut my eyebrow. I got six stitches from that one.
Yes, for sure. When you’re younger you want everything fast, more tricks, more spots, more clips. With time you start skating smarter. You listen to your body more, you appreciate the crew more, and you care more about the process than proving something.
Skateboarding has taken me far, new cities, new friends, travel, and experiences I never would’ve had otherwise. I don’t think in terms of an end point. I just want to keep skating, keep progressing in my own way, and stay part of the community for as long as I can.
Does style matter?
Yes. Style is what makes skateboarding personal.
Skateboarding has given me a lot, friendships, travel, and a constant reason to push myself. It helps me grow, step outside my comfort zone, and keep that inner kid alive.
I try to give back in real ways, through Axioms, helping younger skaters when I can, and building projects that support skateboarding.
Big thanks to Vida Rodante Mag and Fran Chávez for the invitation and for all the work he puts into the scene. Fran brings real energy to the sessions, and I appreciate what he does and how he documents skateboarding.
Shoutout to the Gudro crew in Zurich for all the street sessions, filming, and good times. And a big thank you to my family back in Poland for always supporting me, and to my family here in Zurich, especially Maya and my close friend Simon. Much love to my good friend Otakar in Portugal.
Thanks to everyone I’ve crossed paths with along the way. See you at the next spot.
Piotr.
Photos and interview : Francisco Chavez.