Justin "Figgy" Figueroa, one of Baker Skateboards' most gnarly riders, has officially entered the world of YouTube. And he’s not exactly happy about it.
"I'm filming a vlog dude, unfortunately," Figgy said, capturing the mix of amusement and reluctance that’s been swirling around the growing trend of pro skaters turning to YouTube.
That "unfortunately" is the part that has Thrasher Magazine stamping the whole YouTube skater thing as "Whack."
Read Here: How Thrasher Made Fun of YouTube Skaters
For years, pro skaters stuck to full-length videos, hardcore street missions, and magazine covers.
YouTube? That was for homies messing around at the park, not serious pros with shoe deals and video parts.
But things are shifting. More skaters are creating their own platforms, filming their own edits, and building a direct connection with fans through YouTube, Instagram, and even TikTok.
Figgy, it seems, is now part of that movement - whether he likes it or not.
"Filmed by Beagle. I aint the best at these but whatever. Skating Spanky/Mike Lotti Emerica Colab high top. Alive for now Episode 5 in the works.," he shared.
It’s the kind of casual, low-pressure approach that a lot of skaters have been taking to online content.
Figgy’s not out here trying to be the next YouTube personality. He’s just keeping the clips rolling, whether it’s a new part, a random skate session, or a behind-the-scenes look at life as a pro.
The shift toward YouTube has been a hot topic.
Some see it as a natural evolution, a way for skaters to take control of their footage instead of waiting on brands and video releases.
Others argue that it waters down the raw, unfiltered style that made skateboarding stand out in the first place.
Figgy’s approach is about as unpolished as it gets. No big production, no scripted content - just a dude rolling with a camera pointed at him, skating in Emerica high tops, and letting Beagle handle the filming.
It’s a sign of how things are changing in skateboarding. What once would have been reserved for shop videos or random tour clips is now being put straight onto skaters’ personal channels.
Some pros are embracing it fully, turning their YouTube presence into a side hustle or even their main gig.
Others, like Figgy, seem to be reluctantly testing the waters. Regardless of where this shift leads, one thing’s clear: YouTube skating isn’t going anywhere. And now, Figgy’s in the mix.