In the world of endurance skateboarding, few names carry as much weight as Andrew "La Maquina" Andras. With multiple world records and countless podium finishes in traditional pushing, Andy has been a dominant force in the sport for years. But it's his transition to skate poling that has perhaps left an even more significant mark on the skateboarding community.
[Andy competing at the 2024 Dutch 24-hour Ultraskate where he set the world record distance, 274 miles in the SUP category.]
We sat down with Andy to discuss his journey from traditional pushing champion to skate poling pioneer, and how a chance encounter with SUPSKATE equipment helped reignite his competitive fire.
Finding New Challenges After Conquering Pushing
After breaking the 24-hour UltraSkate record four times and climbing the podium at nearly every major endurance skateboarding event, Andy found himself at a crossroads.
"I think I found myself in a place of content with what I had achieved in the Endurance Skateboard world," Andy reflects. "The flame was low for competition and grinding. I was not finding the motivation to suffer, especially for a 24-hour event."
While his competitive drive had dimmed, his love for the skateboarding community remained strong. "The friends I have made and the places I have visited in the name of Distance Skateboarding have enriched my life more than any award or record," he says.
It was during this period that the SUP Skateboard discipline caught Andy's attention. He watched competitors like DeeJay, Jeremiah Pascua, and Chip Walter compete at the Miami UltraSkate, pushing the SUP 24-hour record from the 200-mile benchmark to 221 miles. The challenge of a new discipline beckoned.
The Equipment Epiphany
Like many innovators, Andy began by experimenting with homemade equipment, focusing on what he calls a "High cadence" and "Light weight" formula for SUP skateboarding. But his early pole designs were, in his words, "just a disaster."
[Andy's first homemade skate pole: a creative but ultimately flawed design featuring a rattan pole, lacrosse ball handle, and improvised foot attachment. Its inefficiencies highlight why purpose-built equipment like the SUPSKATE pole represented such a breakthrough for serious athletes.]
"The more wacky ideas I came up with like flexing blades and whatnot, the less proficient the pole felt," he admits.
Then came a pivotal moment during the 2021 Miami UltraSkate. In the middle of a lap, fate put a SUPSKATE pole in Andy's hands.
"[When I swapped with Donnie on the back stretch and tried the SUPSKATE pole for the first time] I instantly knew this product is what I was looking for," Andy recalls with the enthusiasm of someone who has found the missing piece to a puzzle. "A simple and effective design, it was like an epiphany that 'less was more'. Just a lightweight, T-handle pole with a performance flex is all that was needed."
The revelation was immediate: "You put the energy in and it delivers that exact transition to forward propulsion. That allowed me to start my new quest of competing in a 24-hour event doing the SUP Skateboarding style I envisioned. The puzzle pieces were coming together. The flame was intensifying again."
Evolution of Technique and Equipment
Andy's approach to skate poling has evolved significantly over time. He initially preferred the simplicity of a fixed-length pole, valuing its durability and reliability in competition. But as he tackled more varied terrain, he came to appreciate the versatility of adjustable poles.
[Andy demonstrates advanced skate poling technique on a mountain road, combining traditional foot pushing with pole strokes to conquer uphill terrain. His unique method often turns heads among passing motorists encountering the sport for the first time.]
"The more I SUP'ed on ever-changing road conditions, elevation or wind directions, like the 4-person Trans-Am relay team I was on, I came to love the ability to change the lengths of poles," he explains. "It started to work like gears on a bike. Big hill climbs and headwinds would result in shortening the pole for faster cadences while downhills and tailwinds would be a long pole for power pushes that would send you efficiently gliding."
This adaptation highlights one of Andy's greatest strengths as an athlete: his willingness to evolve and refine his approach based on real-world experience.
Pushing Boundaries and Changing Perceptions
While Andy is humble about his role in legitimizing skate poling—"There were athletes doing this prior to me and gave me a bar to chase"—his impact on the sport is undeniable. His competitive mindset drove him to exceed expectations for what was possible in SUP skateboarding.
"Legs will always be more powerful and efficient than arms, so the pace and speed are not the same," he acknowledges. "I took some time to adjust to that perspective, but at the same time I also refused to accept that. So I always gave myself a high bar when training and racing. I wasn't interested in being close to the Pushers in races, I wanted to beat them!"
This determination to compete head-to-head with traditional pushers has helped elevate the perception of skate poling within the broader skateboarding community.
The Growing Community
One of the most significant developments Andy has observed is the growth of the hybrid SUP+Push discipline, which allows athletes to alternate between traditional pushing and poling.
"What has been quite astounding is how much the SUP+Push discipline has grown and got popularized," Andy notes. "I guess it's kind of a natural evolution for a Skateboard Pusher to pick up a pole and now be able to compete by propelling themselves with a pole and pushing with their legs."
[Andy and SUPSKATE founder Donnie sharing a moment of friendship and mutual respect. Their Miami Ultraskate encounter and chance "pole swap" on the back stretch years ago sparked a collaboration that has helped propel skate poling into a thriving discipline.]
This crossover has introduced more skateboarders to poling and contributed to the discipline's growth, particularly at events like the Miami UltraSkate, where the skate poling category has seen participation grow to 25 competitors as of February 2025.
[Some of the 2025 Miami Ultraskate competitors who might have never contemplated such an endurance competition, without Andy's embrace, example and leadership. Andy has added value to many peoples lives, (people he hardly even knows) and nurtured their desire to suss-out the endurance athlete inside their own bodies; a reward in it's own.]
The Future of Skate Poling
When asked about his proudest skate poling accomplishment, Andy's response is telling: "The one yet to come!" This forward-looking perspective captures his ongoing passion for the sport and commitment to pushing its boundaries.
As for the future of skate poling, Andy values its current state while maintaining an open mind about its direction. "Personally, I love what this sport is now, it's a place of community, friendships and healthy competition amongst us," he shares. "I have watched many athletes come and go from the sport, so, where it goes organically it is up to fate I suppose. I'm just happy for the new faces that come into our sport and grateful for the ones I got to meet before they left."
[The illustration above is an unofficial listing of current category and world records. Andy is on the board in three places, SUP+, SUP (WR) and SUP Team Relay.]
Andy hosts the annual 24 hour Miami Ultraskate competition. He not only helps coordinate this international event, he also simultaneously competes and sets a new World Record almost every time he competes. Most of the track records and world records have been set, since he embraced the category. It's easy to see the sports core demographic (middle aged men) and the opportunities for young people and women.
Any good sport is also a pastime, and it's true that far more people ride for fun than compete in ultra endurance events. Some people use skate poling to train for SUP Touring or cross training to develop balance. This activity continues to grow in all disciplines and for all reasons, and Andy has played an outsized role to bring awareness and acceptance.
Beyond Competition: The Joy of Skate Poling
For all his competitive achievements, what stands out most in conversation with Andy is his emphasis on enjoyment. When asked how skate poling has impacted his life, his answer is simple but profound:
[Andy and Sabrina enjoying a skate poling session on South Florida's scenic trails. The sport has become as much about community and enjoyment as it is about competition.]
"FUN! That's the key to life, doing things that are fun first but are also healthy forms of exercise. When you find a pairing like that, you have found the secret to life."
This philosophy—embracing the joy of the activity while pursuing excellence—has made Andrew "La Maquina" Andras not just a champion, but a true ambassador for skate poling. As the sport continues to evolve, with SUPSKATE equipment now the standard for serious competitors, Andy's influence remains a driving force in its growth and development.
Whether you're a seasoned distance skateboarder looking for a new challenge or a newcomer curious about this emerging discipline, Andy's journey offers inspiration and a glimpse into the passionate community that makes skate poling so special.
[Editor's note: As of February 2025, most of the 25 participants in the Skate Poling category at the Miami Ultraskate were using SUPSKATE poles, testament to both the growth of the sport and the quality of equipment that has helped pioneers like Andy push the boundaries of what's possible. Sometimes it just takes a dedicated "gear head" to listen to athletes and give them what they need, to achieve their goals. Skating is a wonderful sport because it's generally open to all kinds of innovators. It can be harsh, but it's feedback is timely and honest.]