Return of the Rad – TRUCKSTOP Ballina Barrier Barge IV – 2026
Bashing barriers and trashing cars in Ballina, NSW Australia
Words, photos and video edit by Luke Brown (@vagabondedit)
Cameron Markin. Launch ramp kickflip over the car
I was stoked to get the call to shoot the Ballina Barrier Barge. Even though this was the fourth annual event, it was my first time! Captain Tony and crew picked me up from the airport. In the drizzle I discovered a Troll, aka Austin Bailey, hiding under a doorway at Salk’s first DIY addition made over 20 years ago? The rain killed the skate leading us to have a staff meeting where the brief was to ensure the Return of the Rad – with a twist… involving a dog, a bike and a car!
L to R: Austin Bailey, Chase Choma, Jett Choma and Capn’ Tony Chavez.
Courtside
Next stop was Courtside DIY, another infamous long term spot I was keen to check. It was apparently marked for demolition last year, but it’s still standing!
We labelled boards and beers in an attempt to find the radness, Austin Bailey creeps away the rain.
Jett Choma made short work of this no comply pole jam rolling away on a wet landing, then I made him do it again for the photo ha ha.
Cam Markin was a little concerned about the wet, so he decided to go blindfolded.
Then Cam carve bashed Austin’s rock fakie, both appropriately laying back on the couch.
We managed to get a reasonable session in before the rain and a gnarly biker chased us off to seek more radness!
Down to Ballina skatepark where crew worked late into the night to add exciting additions for the next day’s event!
Dodging rain showers the next day saw us visit Lismore to warm up where there was an undercover mini. Dave Adair gives the eagle eye on this layback air.
Lachie Abbot busted my ear drums with this ollie to truck bash.
Then it was on to the Barrier Barge! Sadly the DIY crete had been ripped out that morning! Not phased, the Truckstop crew added it back in as wood! Cam tests it out styling an ollie transfer.
Cap’n Tony, Lien to tail over, to shuvs in.
Austin Bailey layback transfer.
Shem Bragg stole the show rattling off trick after trick with casual steeze. This is a blunt fakie, for real it’s a make! Even with the foot off!
Backside noseblunt, shutting it down before the rain.
The session moved undercover where a bromance blossomed between Shem and Cam with rainbows and tandem kickflips.
Then Tony surprised longtime team rider Turi Ramsay with his board! Woooo!!!!
A great way to finish the sesh! Congrats Turi!
Prizes were given, a BBQ was had and Dan Pitcher put one over on Cheets!
Cheers!
Then it was back to the Truckstop shed for a late night sesh! Crew were amping.
Chase Choma loops while up above Cheets is on guitar, Tony on drums, and Cam and Dan look on.
Cam Markin, rock to fakie grind on the curb.
Lachie Abbot frontside wallrides up and over the quarter into the bank.
Dan Pitcher, backside nosepick
Simon Carven noseslides down the curb coming in forwards.
John “Peewee” Dickenson pops out of the pool coping quarter to wallride over
Cheets on drums, Tony on bass and Lincoln on guitar jammin while the skating is down below! What a rad night! Are we bringin’ it back?
The next morning we were up early and I accompanied Ben Allen who was filming an interesting tale of a dog and his bike riding owner and a crazy family in a car. It was a pisser! You must watch the clip.
Watch out, you’re gonna get hit by the car!
The aftermath of the car accident was not rad.
After some spray paint and a beating, the car was ready to be destroyed!
Austin boosted a BS boneless
Simon polished it up with a backside bluntslide down the bonnet
Cam Markin and Pat Dandy were doing doubles lines of front blunts… but if you fall off first, watch out! Ha ha!
Archie 50-50 and Jett frontside lipslide.
Shem made easy work of this frontside nosegrind.
Bloodyfaced Tony fast planted it.
Dan went up and over to Texas Plant in
Pat Dandy threw down a solid backside tailslide
Cam came through sliding this backside noseblunt
Followed by a hefty kickflip fully stretched out! Goddamn!
Hugs to celebrate radness
Top: Marty Rees and co added the bar and the hectic ramps up to the gnarly slappy bar. Bottom: Time to refuel with Tacos outta Richie’s Van! AHA and Cheets had it covered.
Simon clipped Austin’s board on the run up and fell, headbutting the ramp. He took a lay down in the carpark for a minute. He’s ok ladies and germs!
Undie clad Dylan Monk went up and over the rainbow bar straight up, never mind Lincoln and Tony out the window.
Kev guarded the shop while we skated
Then it was time to wreck the car some more…
…so that the last of the filming could occur. Was it rad?
Hell yes it was rad! Thanks everyone for a sick time!
And as the sun set, Marty Rees contemplated why he chose to perform stunts on his son’s scooter.
The evening peaked with a new mohawk for Dan thanks to Lincoln aka “Daddy Rinku!”
Sunday saw us hit Bangalow kidney with Capn’ Tony. Smithgrinds are #1!
Cam noseslid the whole curb up into fakie nosegrind
Mohawk Dan flew through a backside lipslide
Damon Cahill knows that in Australia we call hurricane’s cyclones. I’m calling this one “Cyclone Damon!”
After that it was off to an oasis in the hills where radness was brought with crew shredding at Mark’s Bowl. Capn’ T with a BSA.
Rad backsmith Austin Bailey!
The ladies were out in force! L to R: Freddie Tumel, Dinah and Paige
Freddie flew! And the afternoon was finished in rad stylez
Was Radness Returned? You be the judge. Thanks Freddie and Tony!
Words, photos and video edit by Luke Brown (@vagabondedit)
