Q&A: Thanet Skater 'Backflip Tim'
With some 15k fans on social media, and skate videos wracking up bare hits, we felt it was high time we got to know the man they call ‘Back Flip Tim’
Tim Fury is the Margate-based skateboarder who is probably best known for his aerial skills, throwing his body through the air without the faintest regard for gravity or what might happen if he misses… but holy sh*t is it mesmerising to watch.
Q: So we have been fans of yours for a while, ever since we saw you skating the mini ramp at Wheels and Fins festival back in 2018. We thought, rather than just stalk you on social media, that we should get in touch and ask you about your life in skating. At what age did you begin? And what is your earliest memory on a skateboard?
A: So my earliest memory of being on a skateboard was probably about 4 or 5. I didn’t actually start skateboarding til I was about 9. I begged my foster careers at the time to take me for ages, they eventually gave in and took me for my birthday. That was it, I was hooked. Skateboarding is the best escape.
Q: Are you part of a skate team now?
A: I don’t actually have any sponsors right now, apart from myself, of course. I used to ride for Hopking but I recently left.
Q: Where did you cut your teeth skating? Was there a favourite facility? Or road, or kerbside even?
A: I have lived most of my life in Margate and as a kid I didn’t get to go to any other parks. Lucky Revolution Skatepark was my local and definitely shaped the way I skate now. I would always hit the streets of Margate after school tho, big up NCP Car Park and the Job Centre!
Q: Do you have favourite Kent skating spots now?
I really enjoy the street bit at Swalecliffe skatepark, I love the awkward angles and a 1000 different ways to skate it. Dan Cates’ backyard pool is also one of them. The fact I used to watch all of his Death Videos as a kid and now he lives round the corner is also crazy! I love a good DIY spot as well!
Andrew Turnbull Photography
Q: When did you know that you were starting to get pretty good at this skating lark?
A: To be honest I don’t really remember having that thought, I just know how much I enjoy skateboarding and how it makes me feel.
Q: Some of your moves (hand plants etc) always remind us of Tony Hawk Pro Skater back in the day, but how would you describe your style of skating?
A: Circus tricks
Q: Okay, obvious question here… why are you called Backflip Tim? Did someone give you the nickname? Can you remember the first time you landed a backflip and where you were?
A: So a lot of people don’t know that I didn’t come up with the name. In 2015, I went on a skate trip around Wales with a few mates and the notorious Dan Cates. On this trip is where I learnt how to backflip a skateboard. It was at Rampworld in Cardiff and ever since then Dan Cates has called me Backflip Tim. It used to annoy me, but in the end I embraced it and change my Instagram name to @backfliptim.
Q: Is there an extra rush you get from performing something with a bit more airtime, or upside down, than to say aggressive grinding?
A: I don’t really know what it is about air time that I love, it’s just fun. The speed is also addictive, the same feeling I get when I do a fast fs 5.0 on transition.
Q: For the skating nuts out there, we thought we’d better ask what board/equipment are you using most now?
A: I have a a few set ups as I enjoy a fishtail, my current popsicle is 9-inch blank deck, 159 Indy hollows, 56mm bones and Erik Winkowski Bronson G3’s.
My other is a Santa Cruz “fairy tale” pool deck re issue, 169 indys, Slime balls and Bronson Raws.
James Gibson Photography
Q: Do you have a song or a musical artist you love to listen to while skating?
A: If I’m try to land a trick and the speaker is out it’s got to be some Dead Kennedys or ‘Seek and Destroy’ by Metallica.
Q: With Skateboarding entering the olympics, have you seen a renewed interest in the sport in recent years? And, do you encourage it or are you more protective of it?
A: Anything to help the sport grow and get more parks built is fine with me. I’m not that interested if I’m honest, but I can’t see how it can be a negative for skateboarding.
Q: What has been your highlight of your skating career so far?
A: Wouldn’t call it much of a career, haha! The Vans launch ramp event with Tony “TNT” Trujillo was amazing (see video below), it was like they made the event for me. I also won’t ever forget Tony Hawk and The Berrics (a private indoor skatepark owned by professional skateboarders Steve Berra and Eric Koston) posting my first “Fury Flip” on Instagram.
Q: Where is it best for people to find all your work?
A: Instagram for sure @backfliptim I have a YouTube but am yet to really start posting frequently. I do have a few bits on there you can check out.