Zach Saraceno makes skating look easy. Whether he’s challenging gravity while floating down stairwells or perfecting a switch back heel trick, watch any of the 25-year-old skater’s impressive clips, and his suavity will have you replaying them on loop — in fact, millions of people already are. But the maneuvers he makes look easy are actually some of the most difficult sequences in the sport. That’s because his expertise is more than 20 years in the making.Raised in Encinitas, California, Saraceno first stepped on a skateboard at just 4 years old, thanks to his father, who was an avid snowboarder with an affinity for shredding cement, too. He sharpened his skills through his adolescent years, and by the time he entered high school, he opted for homeschooling so that he could pursue competitions. In December 2020, he broke out in GODSPEED, a skate film developed by Mikey Alfred’s legendary Illegal Civ, the Los Angeles crew he skated for alongside the likes of Tyler, the Creator and Nico Hiraga. Just two years ago, he joined two-time SOTY (Skater of the Year) winner Tyshawn Jones’ King Skateboards team, which also counts Na-Kel Smith and Caleb Barnett as members, and he also currently rides with adidas Skateboarding’s global crew.It should come as no surprise that his persistent grind earned him a milestone banger: his own exclusive colorway on the adidas Tyshawn II, Jones’ signature shoe equipped with a dual-layered toe area and a multidirectional tread for maximal cushioning. Going for $100 USD, Saraceno’s version employs a “Crystal White” leather with “Shadow Brown” suede Three Stripes and an aged off-white sole, a reflection of his own quiet confidence. As the first skater to reimagine the coveted model, the shoe is more than just a tick off Saraceno’s bucket list; it’s a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport.Below, Saraceno shares more about his skate journey, collaborating with Tyshawn Jones, and the role that footwear plays in his craft.
