Nick Hayes

I am Nicky “Skateboard” Hayes, an Eastern Arrernte man from Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), a remote Aboriginal community about 80 kilometres southeast of Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Northern Territory. Known affectionately as “Skateboard,” I am a passionate skateboarder, youth advocate, and founder of Spinifex Skateboards, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering young people through skateboarding.

With over 28 years of skateboarding experience, I have used the sport not only as a personal passion but as a powerful way to inspire, connect, and uplift First Nations youth. Before fully committing to Spinifex in 2023, I worked as a youth worker for more than seven years, building strong relationships within community settings.

I founded Spinifex Skateboards in 2018 and launched it in 2020 as a vehicle for change. The company runs regular skateboarding workshops across the Northern Territory, fostering creativity, confidence, and cultural pride. In 2020, I led the First Nations Skate Tour, taking young people from Ltyentye Apurte to Brisbane—a groundbreaking event for my community. I am also involved in Songlines Skateboarding, participating in the first Indigenous skate team demonstration in Perth in 2021.

My work has been recognised with the NT Human Rights Award (The Fitzgeralds) and a NAIDOC Sports Award, reflecting my contribution to youth development and Indigenous representation in sport.

My vision extends beyond skateboarding. Through culturally relevant branding and storytelling, Spinifex Skateboards connects with youth culture nationwide and internationally. The brand is now stocked across most states and territories, and I aspire to build deeper connections with First Nations communities globally. I am committed to using skateboarding as a tool for healing, leadership, and cultural exchange—both in Australia and on the international stage.