It’s official, Rob Pace has taken out the most sought-after accolade in Australian skateboarding, earning himself the title of Skater of the Year for 2022, presented by Converse CONS. Rob is the Central Coast’s favourite fitter and turner, known for destroying every kinker and Hubba within striking distance. In another year plagued by restrictions, Rob managed to stay busy, putting down some of the most ruthless rail tricks in recent memory.

Rob started his 2022 SOTY campaign with guns blazing, dropping Strider in February 2021, an all-out rail part that was just a taste of what was to come. By the middle of the year, Rob was back with Jump Ramp Service, a joke video where he brought a kicker to a bunch of street spots and proceeded to annihilate them. As the part progressed, it got less funny and all the more impressive. But it was December when Rob really kicked his game up a notch. Starless dropped just before Christmas, revealing that Rob had spent the previous six months chomping through a feast of rails. On New Year’s Eve, he was back with a Project Distribution part packed with his leftovers. That brought him to a total of four parts under his belt, along with a handful of insane clips that went straight to the ’Gram.

Rob’s showreel has got SOTY written all over it. Congrats to Rob and thanks to all of those who cast their votes for our 2022 SOTY.

Filmed and edited by Brendan Gardoll.

Additional filming by George Kousoulis, Jarrod Agnew, Alex Petkos, Geoff Campbell, Sam Sutton and Blake Manning.

SLAM SOTY RECIPIENTS

2004: Cale Nuske
2005: Shane Cross
2006: Jake Duncombe
2007: Chima Ferguson
2008: Lewis Marnell
2009: Andrew Brophy
2010: Dane Burman
2011: Shane O’Neill
2012: Nick Boserio
2013: Tommy Fynn
2014: Jack Fardell
2015: Gabriel Summers
2016: Jake Hayes
2017: Jackson Pilz
2018: Alex Lawton
2019: Jack O’Grady
2020: Rowan Davis
2021: Ben Lawrie
2022: Rob Pace

Stay tuned for our New Gen of Year, Video Part of the Year, and Hall of Fame announcements next week.