The skate world lost a real one. Kevin Wilkins, the founding editor of The Skateboard Mag and one of the OGs who helped shape how the culture was told, has passed away after a long fight with cancer.
He was more than an editor. He lived skating, he breathed it, and he carried the stories that made it real.
People in the scene knew Kevin as someone solid. He showed love to everyone who cared about skateboarding. He never acted like he was above anyone. He loved music, books, art, and all the things that made life worth talking about. He could go from cracking jokes to dropping real talk without missing a beat. He was someone who made people feel like they belonged.
His GoFundMe page, organized by Annie Wilkins, gave everyone a glimpse of what he and his family were going through, and how strong they stayed through it all.
“Hello Lovely people
Here we are, another heap of new challenges and some great opportunities to get uncomfortable. The latest of which has come in the form of cancer treatments for our big brother Kevin.
It’s a challenging road, but not one we haven’t been down before as a family and as part of a wider community of caring folks.
We’re ready for it. Kevin is ready for it. And he’s got an amazing team of docs behind him as he embarks on his treatment in the coming months.
If you’d like to help out, we’ve set up this Go Fund Me for exactly that purpose. Easing a bit of the financial burden will make the path ahead a little less bumpy, and will give each of us something tangible to do from our own little corners of the universe.
Thanks so much for all the love and support
We feel it. And we love you back.
So much gratitude
The Wilkins Clan”
Later, Annie shared an update that broke everyone’s hearts.
“This is an update I don’t know how to write. I doubt anyone ever does. There are months and weeks worth of ups and downs to recap, wins and losses, big hopes and big disappointments. But the long and the short of it is this: Kevin’s cancer has progressed rapidly in the last few days. He’s been moved home, and has started in-home hospice care.
If you’d like to come see him, we’d love to have you. If you’d like to donate, we’ll put the money to good use. If you’d like to bring food, the meal train is back up and running. And if you’d like to send us love, prayers, and impeccable vibes, we’ll take all we can get.
We love you, Kevin loves you, and we’re all incredibly grateful for every moment you’ve shared with our brother son husband dad best friend biggest inspiration.
We’ll try and share more in the days to come.
Big love to each and every one of you.
The Wilkins Fam”
StrangeLove Skateboards also shared a message that captured how much Kevin meant to those around him.
The post said: "Our pal @kevinwilkins has joined our brothers and sisters in the next journey. Kevin was on a short list of my favorite folks to just rap with. Full of knowledge and history. Lover of music, books, art of all kinds. He knew how to laugh and I loved to make him laugh. I’m gonna miss him a lot. - nick"
Photographer Dave Swift shared his own words that showed just how deep their friendship ran.
He said, “I woke up this morning to sad news. My great friend, editorial partner, best skate buddy, business partner and all around fantastic human Kevin Wilkins @kevinwilkins had succumbed to cancer. He fought the good fight, a five year battle. He was an amazing husband, father, friend and he will be missed by so many. If you don’t know Kevin, please take the time to search out and read some of the articles he wrote for @transworldskate #theskateboardmag #warpmagazine #clubhomeboy #dirtmagazine He was the best at his craft and he made the skateboarding culture better because he loved it. Today I will ride my bike and skateboard to honor him. All my love to Cheryl, Miles, Cian, Pat and the rest of the Wilkins family. ❤️"
That’s what Kevin meant to everyone. He wasn’t just out here writing stories about skating. He was documenting a whole way of life. He helped skaters see themselves in print, gave them space to tell their truth, and made the culture feel like family.
He had an editor’s eye but the heart of someone who really cared about people. He made work feel fun, he made hard days easier, and he made the whole scene feel connected.
Kevin made skateboarding more than just tricks and contests. He made it about people, about creativity, about passion, about love. If you ever read The Skateboard Mag or any of his old work, you’ve already felt what he gave to the world.
Rest easy Kevin. The boards are still rolling for you.