“After the first year and its success, we knew we wanted to do a second edition. It took a little while, but here it is and I am extremely happy. I believe that this year I will manage to go even more extreme, there will be even better skateboarders, and overall we will take it to a higher level,” says Maxim Habanec, the founder of the race and one of its main drivers.
Žitomírská as Prague's San Francisco
While in 2023 Steep Street took place in Letná, this year the track moves to Žitomírská Street in Prague 10. Due to its slope and undulating profile, it resembles the legendary streets of San Francisco, which skateboarders around the world know well. “Žitomírská is ideal for several reasons. Part of the street is quite steep, then it straightens out at the intersection and subsequently descends again. There will be about twelve obstacles, and we will also add elements on the sides so that riders can be creative and come up with something original,” describes Habanec.
Speed and tricks are key
The competition evaluates the combination of speed, originality, and difficulty of the executed tricks. Each rider earns points ranging from zero to one hundred, from which the achieved time is then deducted. The final score thus reflects both the quality of the tricks and the speed of riding. The key rule is simple: the rider must not take their foot off the board during the ride. “Braking is not allowed by stepping off, but only by sliding. If someone falls, they can continue, but due to the loss of time, they will most likely not have a chance of success,” explains Maxim Habanec.
The skateboard elite in Prague
Approximately sixteen riders will line up at the start, most of whom are foreign. All continents will be represented. Among the confirmed names is Douwe Macare from the Netherlands, the winner of the first year of Red Bull Steep Street and the Dutch champion from 2019. From the USA, nineteen-year-old Jiro Platt will arrive, one of the most prominent young talents of the current scene. From South Africa, Brandon Valjalo, the first-ever Olympic skateboarder from South Africa, will come. He competed in Tokyo 2020 just two days after a wrist fracture, finishing twelfth in Paris 2024. He is a two-time African champion and a four-time national champion.
“I think anyone can win this year. This race is so specific that it’s hard to predict who will adapt best to the track. Maybe someone local will surprise us,” says Maxim Habanec.
The event partners are Prague 10 and Nova Action.
Red Bull Steep Street 2025
When: Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: Žitomírská Street, Prague 10
Entry: The event is free and without pre-reserved seats. We recommend arriving early – the capacity of places with a good view is limited.
Website: redbull.cz/steepstreet
