Rob Welsh was born and raised in Portland, Maine, where he began skateboarding in 1985 after trying a friend’s board. The rough streets and harsh w...
Rob Welsh was born and raised in Portland, Maine, where he began skateboarding in 1985 after trying a friend’s board. The rough streets and harsh winters in Maine pushed him to skate wherever he could find dry ground, including warehouses and parking garages.
Welsh later moved to San Francisco with friends, driving across the country with little more than a bag and his skateboard. The city’s steep hills and famous street spots helped shape his approach to riding and pushed him to focus on flow and control as much as tricks. Over time he became widely respected for making difficult skating look effortless and for his laid back style. During his career he rode for companies including Expedition One and Lakai, while continuing to film and travel as a professional skateboarder.