US skater films himself skating at Henderson Waves & climbing onto arch, gets flak from S'poreans

UPDATE on Oct. 9, 5:02pm: This article has been updated with NParks' statement.

An American skater and content creator recently filmed himself using the Henderson Waves bridge as a skate ramp.

Jimmy Larsen, who makes skate content under the username @offgridskater, posted videos on various social media platforms showing how he skated at Henderson Waves.

View on Threads

 

Using the bridge's high curved and sloping wall as a ramp, he performed various tricks.

This included an ollie, where he leapt into the air with the board without his hands, kicking off from the wall.

He even climbed over the safety railing to access the arch that hangs overhead the bridge, in order to perform a vertical drop.

Henderson Waves is a pedestrian bridge that forms part of the Southern Ridges walking trail, and is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore at an elevation of 36 metres.

In a YouTube video, Larsen explained that he got the idea to skate Henderson Waves after watching a similar video "from 14 years ago".

He was in Singapore for only a few hours, flying in from the Philippines en route to Malaysia.

Online reception

Larsen was met with heavy criticism by some members of the public on Threads.

They chided him for being inconsiderate of "shared infrastructure" and pointed out that all wheeled devices, including bicycles and skateboards, were banned on Henderson Waves.

Some others also were shocked that he climbed over the safety railing to perform the trick, given Henderson Waves' height.

One user also posted a photo of what appeared to be a sign from Henderson Waves, stating that skating, skateboarding and cycling are banned on the bridge,

However, on YouTube, where his video was seen mostly by fellow skate enthusiasts around the world, many expressed their admiration at the beauty of the spot.

Larsen's online moniker was coined as he lived off-the-grid in America, meaning that he lived without relying on public utilities such as electricity or water.

Another YouTube video shows his home in a desert in America, where he finds strange or abandoned places to repurpose as skate platforms.

In response to Mothership's queries, the National Parks Board (NParks) said that they are aware of the incident and are looking into the matter.

They noted that Henderson Waves is a pedestrian-only bridge, and that skating and skateboarding are not permitted for the safety of skaters and other park visitors.

They also reminded skateboarders to skate safely and adhere to signs and regulations.

Skate parks are available at Choa Chu Kang Park, East Coast Park, Jurong Lake Gardens, and Pasir Ris Park.

Mothership has also reached out to Larsen for comment.