The skateboarding world is mourning the loss of Rio O’Byrne, who has passed away at the age of 22.
The heartbreaking news was shared by Free Skate Mag, which paid tribute to the beloved skater and spoke about the impact he had on everyone around him.
While many knew Rio for his incredible ability on a skateboard, those closest to him say what made him special went far beyond street skating.
According to Free Skate Mag, Rio had a way of bringing people together. A session could change the moment he showed up, often getting people back on their boards with nothing more than a few words or a simple look.
The publication described him as someone who genuinely loved skateboarding for all the right reasons.
He simply enjoyed being on his board and spending time with friends.
One quote shared by Free Skate Mag captured that mindset perfectly:
"I don’t dig into skating enough to be like, ‘Man I really hate when people do that.’ I just like to skate, the adrenaline."
That outlook made Rio stand out. He approached skateboarding with a sense of joy that many people admired. Friends, fellow skaters, and fans often saw someone who was always happy to be skating and sharing those moments with others.
Free Skate Mag called him "as pure as they get," a description that has resonated throughout the skate community as tributes continue to pour in.
Rio will be remembered for the person he was, the friendships he built, and the countless sessions he helped make better just by being there.
Our thoughts are with Rio O’Byrne’s family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched during this difficult time.
Free Skate Mag Posted:
"The news of Rio O’Byrne’s tragic passing hit us like a wrecking ball this morning. Anyone with functioning eyes could see that his talent on a board was one in a million, but everything he was off it somehow always outshone that. From his ability to turn Stockwell around in seconds, managing to pull you off the bench and into the session with just a few words or a glance (no matter how irrational it would feel to not be sitting back enjoying the show), to how positive his outlook on life was, particularly when it came to all things skateboarding. He loved it and lived for it, but no amount of contests or coverage could taint what he was chasing.
“I don’t dig into skating enough to be like, ‘Man I really hate when people do that.’ I just like to skate, the adrenaline.”
He was as pure as they get. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone else his infectious energy touched in one way or another.
Portrait by @_humanshit. Skate photos by @gerardrierapalau."