About

01 / 2018

Buying used gear taught me how to keep boards alive.

Halfpiped began in 2018 when I had just started skateboarding. I was 14 and could not keep replacing decks or shoes whenever they became razor-tailed or worn out.

So I bought used parts on Carousell, skated them after school, and learned to clean, fix, and keep rusty gear rolling. When spare parts piled up, I built completes to sell for pocket money.

01 / 2018

Buying used gear taught me how to keep boards alive.

Halfpiped began in 2018 when I had just started skateboarding. I was 14 and could not keep replacing decks or shoes whenever they became razor-tailed or worn out.

So I bought used parts on Carousell, skated them after school, and learned to clean, fix, and keep rusty gear rolling. When spare parts piled up, I built completes to sell for pocket money.

02 / 2020

Shipping one deck could cost S$100.

When lockdown came in 2020, I could not go out hunting for good deals anymore. I started looking for suppliers who could send quality branded skateboard parts instead.

The problem was shipping. Sending one piece of wood across the ocean could cost up to S$100, which was crazy expensive.

I gathered whatever Chinese New Year money I had and bought in bulk. If I cleared the extra decks close to cost, it covered my own deck and the shipping while other skaters got a much better price.

02 / 2020

Shipping one deck could cost S$100.

When lockdown came in 2020, I could not go out hunting for good deals anymore. I started looking for suppliers who could send quality branded skateboard parts instead.

The problem was shipping. Sending one piece of wood across the ocean could cost up to S$100, which was crazy expensive.

I gathered whatever Chinese New Year money I had and bought in bulk. If I cleared the extra decks close to cost, it covered my own deck and the shipping while other skaters got a much better price.

The local skate community behind the shop

03 / Local spots

The shop grew through skaters I met.

As I skated more and sold more gear, I met skaters from Somerset, Bishan, Lakeside, and other parts of Singapore. I listened to the brands they recommended and tried to bring them in at a more affordable rate.

Then I hit another hurdle. Bigger brands like Girl, Baker, Spitfire, Thunder, and Independent were already tied to other skate shops in Singapore, so I could not easily get my hands on them.

03 / Local spots

The shop grew through skaters I met.

As I skated more and sold more gear, I met skaters from Somerset, Bishan, Lakeside, and other parts of Singapore. I listened to the brands they recommended and tried to bring them in at a more affordable rate.

Then I hit another hurdle. Bigger brands like Girl, Baker, Spitfire, Thunder, and Independent were already tied to other skate shops in Singapore, so I could not easily get my hands on them.

04 / What stayed

Good gear should stay within reach.

That made me take a step back and think about what this small side hustle should be.

After talking to skater friends I had made along the way, I decided to focus on what I could sell well: quality, affordable products from brands that bigger shops often overlook.

04 / What stayed

Good gear should stay within reach.

That made me take a step back and think about what this small side hustle should be.

After talking to skater friends I had made along the way, I decided to focus on what I could sell well: quality, affordable products from brands that bigger shops often overlook.

05 / Now

A side hustle became my part-time job.

Eight years later, Halfpiped has grown from a small side hustle into my part-time job. I really love this work because I love skateboarding, and I get to help skaters who are in the same position I was in back then.

The goal is still simple: keep skateboarding prices competitive and make good gear more accessible for everyone.

That is my story. If you ever see me at Lakeside, Somerset, or CityLink, feel free to come over and say hi.

05 / Now

A side hustle became my part-time job.

Eight years later, Halfpiped has grown from a small side hustle into my part-time job. I really love this work because I love skateboarding, and I get to help skaters who are in the same position I was in back then.

The goal is still simple: keep skateboarding prices competitive and make good gear more accessible for everyone.

That is my story. If you ever see me at Lakeside, Somerset, or CityLink, feel free to come over and say hi.