To coincide with the launch of the HUF Spring 20 range, we linked up with HUF UK Team Rider Tristan Rudman to showcase the collection as it’s meant to be worn. As well as skating with Tristan (and navigating some pretty bi-polar weather patterns) we sat down with him to find out more about his journey to becoming part of the HUF family.
The eponymous founder of the HUF brand, Keith Hufnagel, epitomised what it meant to grow up as a skateboarding fanatic, showing that drive from a young age. Skating around NYC with the likes of Keenan Milton and Gino Iannucci, striving by any means necessary to get sponsorship, it is this level of energy and drive that the HUF UK skate team have come to reflect. Tristan is no exception to this pro-forma as we came to find out.
First stepping on a board at the age of 10 in his hometown of Durban, South Africa, Tristan echoes the HUF mantra of By All Means Necessary.
“I just remember wanting a skateboard for a long time when I was little, so this one kid in our neighbourhood went out and stole a set up and gave it to me. Kind of like a Robin Hood situation....”
This set the pace for Tristan, and skateboarding became to him what is has been for so many before, not a hobby but an obsession. Fast-forward to 2011 and Tristan moved from South Africa to London, and around 2017 was officially inducted into the HUF UK skate team.
Describing his skating style as ‘sweaty’ and personal style as ‘G’d up from the feet up’, The Chimp Store took Tristan out and about in our home county of Yorkshire, with Photographer Neil Bedford to see just how true this was…
A far cry from the warmer climate of South Africa, on location Tristan found himself subjected to an array of unpredictable UK weather patterns (special shout out to the prophetic HUF Ain’t No Sunshine tee). Through rain, hail and eventual sunshine, styles including the HUF Remington Jacket and Peak Contrast 6 Panel proved up to the challenge.
As the weather improved, we got into some of Tristan’s favourite styles from the Spring drop.
“Short sleeve button ups are always a winner, so if I had to pick the HUF Atelier Resort Shirt would be the one for me. I'm also a big fan of the pink Remington Jacket with the '93 HUF logo.”
You can get stuck into the full HUF Spring 20 shoot below, all of which can be shopped online at The Chimp Store now. Hit the link below to check out further pieces including the stand out HUF 10k Zip Fleece, with Free UK Shipping on all orders over £50.
