OMRI BAUM: ONE BIRD IN HAND

The Israeli blading scene has enriched the world of skating with a plethora of influential skaters over the past two decades. Notable figures such as Avachai Wechsler, Yair Vinner, and Bobi Spassov have left an indelible mark on street inline skating. Furthermore, the charismatic Leon Basin has not only founded but continues to actively develop the wizard skating movement. Emerging from such a vibrant environment can be daunting, as the expectation to fill large shoes looms; however, being surrounded by a talented cohort may well be the catalyst for pushing individuals to excel even further.

Omri Baum has demonstrated remarkable progression in recent years, both in his appearances in front of the camera and in his work behind it. His contributions include a wealth of innovative content alongside his local XCCV crew and video-on-demand projects with Bobi Spassov. However, his influence extends beyond the Tel Aviv and Israeli skating scenes. Omri's skills and commitment have caught the attention of Greg Preston's TooEasy project, and his participation in the recent release of Plastic Pushers 4 is a testament to his motivation and enthusiasm.

With the launch of his latest project for Inferno, we seized the opportunity to delve into his current pursuits and gain further insight into his work.

Interview by Basha Takemura

360 in Tel Aviv

The first thought that strikes me upon viewing your latest video is the music selection. The heavy riffs pair well with your skating, but they are becoming increasingly prevalent in skate videos nowadays. Was this musical choice your own, or were you Mesmerized by the vibes of your new skates? :)

When I edited my clips together I tried a few different genres of music, I even consulted with the homies about it, but everyone agreed that punk was the best vibe for this video.

I feel like it happened naturally, my style and my skating have always been influenced by the music I listen to. During the filming of this video, I was listening to punk music a lot more and that's why it made the most sense.

This song is a cover of a known classical song that I used to listen to when I was young, which makes it meaningful for me and that's another reason why I chose it.

Omri is also the accomplished filmer behind many of Bobi Spassov’s edits

It's challenging to pinpoint what you like to skate the most, as your new video showcases a wide array of spots. If you had to choose, what currently brings you the most joy to skate?

I don’t have preferences for spots, I enjoy spots that challenge my creativity more than my technical skills. Most of the time my spots usually combine a few different objects or a line, it doesn’t matter if it's a rail or a kicker.

Is there a specific trick or clip that you're particularly happy with? When filming, do you meticulously select spots and tricks, or are you inclined to capture as much footage as possible, choosing the best ones afterward?

I remember that I was really happy jumping over that arm barrier to the bank. I found that spot by chance, and from the first moment, I could imagine it happening. The vibes of the session were amazing, the weather was good, and all the homies were there cheering and supporting me.

I feel like I’m pretty calculated when it comes to choosing spots and tricks. I’m aiming to choose stuff that I feel good about during the whole process.

Heel roll to stair bash

Have any recent videos been inspiring you lately? What is your go-to edit to watch before a sesh?

Recently video: FAST LANE - Marc Moreno
Go-to edit: Billy O'Neill SSM

What inspired your spot selection the most for this project and in general? 

I’m getting my inspiration from watching street videos, not just rollerblading, but also skateboarding, bmx, and scoot.

If I notice a move or a spot that I like, it usually stays in my mind and inspires me to create stuff I enjoy and feel passionately about.

Making a street part is fucking hard work. You need a dedicated filmer, time, and a hell of a lot of luck to make a full part happen. Why do you keep making edits? What keeps you going even as an adult with other responsibilities?

Since I started skating I have always been into street skating and filming. This is the part of the game that I enjoy the most, and that’s what keeps the spark in me.

Omri with the rest of the XCCV crew

Does it give you a sense of satisfaction to break Bobi’s back when he follow fisheye you in all those lines you obviously like to skate? 

I really appreciate all the work Bobi does for me. We are very close friends and I feel comfortable breaking his back because I know he is doing it with love. That’s a feeling every skater wants to have while he is filming a clip, and I’m very thankful for that.

What was the hardest clip to get in terms of skating & filming process throughout this project ?

The ender trick of the video was pretty hard for me to crack at the beginning, but after I got the idea of what I should do, I managed to nail it a few times. It ended up being easier than I thought.

Topsoul

What’s next? Any new parts planned?

HELL YEAH!

Very soon I will have a small part from California in the UP2SOMETHING video by Jeremy Soderburg. Most of my clips in this project were filmed by a big inspiration of mine, Sean Keane in Sacramento, but I got a few clips with Jeremy in LA as well.

Second, the XCCV crew and I have been cooking up a big project for a while now that will hopefully be out this year. I got a bunch of clips there.

Besides that, I’m collecting street clips in Tel Aviv with my homie Nir Tovia who is a dope scooter and amazing videographer. I don’t know what exactly I’m gonna do with those clips, but I enjoy the process and that’s what matters the most to me.

Ladies and gentlemen, we introduce Omri Baum - a skater who excels in going big, small, and technical, bringing a fresh, new-school flair to street skating with a clean and stylish execution.

Check out Omri’s full part here.