The Best and Most Iconic 360 Flips in Skateboarding History

The Invention and Early History

The 360 flip, also known as the tre flip or 3 flip, was invented by freestyle skateboarding pioneer Rodney Mullen in 1983. This trick combines a 360-degree backside pop shuvit with a kickflip, creating one of skateboarding's most technical and visually striking maneuvers.

Throughout the 1980s, Mullen invented many of skating's flip tricks, including the kickflip, heelflip, and 360 flip, during his freestyle era. What started as a freestyle trick would eventually become one of the most recognizable and standard street skateboarding tricks.

The Most Famous and Iconic Regular Stance 360 Flips

Chris Joslin - Davis Gap

According to many in the skateboarding community, Chris Joslin's 360 flip down the Davis Gap stands as the most famous 360 flip ever performed. The Davis Gap is described as an 18 to 20-foot gap, making Joslin's tre flip "bar none probably the best three flip that you could ever do down a gap."

Chris Cole - Wallenberg

Chris Cole's 360 flip down the legendary Wallenberg spot is mentioned as another contender for the most famous tre flip of all time. Cole has established himself as one of the masters of the trick and even created instructional content breaking down the technique.

Josh Kalis - Love Park

Josh Kalis's 360 flip over the trash can at Love Park holds legendary status in skateboarding history. This iconic trick was captured by photographer Mike Blabac and became one of the most recognizable images in skateboarding. The image appeared "on the box of every pair" of Kalis's signature shoes and represents one of the most commercially successful trick photos ever.

Jason Lee - Video Days (1991)

Jason Lee's tre flips in Blind's seminal "Video Days" helped popularize the trick on normal-sized street boards. While Rodney Mullen invented the trick, Lee is credited with bringing it to street skating and demonstrating its potential in video parts. The community recognizes that "Rodney obviously invented them but" Lee "popularized tre flips on normal-sized boards."

The Most Memorable Switch 360 Flips

Guy Mariano - Pack of Lies (1992)

Guy Mariano's switch 360 flip in Blind's "Tim and Henry's Pack of Lies" holds the distinction of being the first switch tre flip ever recorded on film. This eight-minute promo was loaded with heavy footage, and Guy's switch tre flip down a four-stair in the opening montage marked a historic moment in skateboarding progression.

Eric Koston - Falling Down (1993)

Just one year after Guy's first switch tre, Eric Koston elevated the trick by taking his down the infamous EMB 7 stair in 101's "Falling Down" video. This immediately catapulted Koston to legend status and demonstrated the trick's potential on larger obstacles.

Rob Welsh - Free Your Mind (2003)

Rob Welsh's switch tre flip at San Francisco's Three Up Three Down spot is considered a textbook execution of the trick. Despite being "just down a three stair," the technical perfection was so notable that "they slow-mowed it" in the video.

Anthony Van Engelen - The DC Video (2003)

AVE's switch tre flip at L.A. High showcased the trick performed "mach 10 in the midst of a six trick line." The speed and fluidity of execution made it stand out as "a switch 360 flip unlike any other."

Other Notable Switch Tre Flips

Gonz - Real to Reel (2001): Mark Gonzales's switch tre at Third and Army represents the unique creativity he brings to every trick.
Johnny Layton - Suffer the Joy (2006): His switch tre over the Carlsbad gap demonstrated the trick's potential over significant obstacles.
Zered Bassett - Vicious Cycle (2005): Performed off a bump "easily twice his own height" during what many considered his peak performance period.

Technical Masters Known for Their 360 Flip Style

Stefan Janoski

Stefan Janoski is widely recognized for having "one of the silkiest 360 flips in the game" and is considered a "style king." His technique has been so influential that he created instructional content breaking down his approach to the trick. Professional skateboarders such as Janoski, along with Josh Kalis, Capaldi, Ethan Fowler, and Jason Lee, have been specifically recognized for their 360 flips.

Josh Kalis

Beyond his iconic Love Park tre flip, Josh Kalis has built a reputation as having "one of the best 360 flips in the game." His name is "inextricably linked forever" with any discussion of 360 flips.

Brian Anderson

As "one of the great 360 flippers in the history of skateboarding," Brian Anderson has simultaneously earned recognition for both his tre flips and his varial flips. His versatility in flip tricks sets him apart from other technical skaters.

Big Gap and Gnarly Spot 360 Flips

The Davis Gap and Wallenberg represent the pinnacle of gnarly tre flip spots. Chris Joslin's Davis Gap tre flip is considered the gold standard for big gap 360 flips due to the sheer size and technical difficulty of the obstacle.

Other notable mentions include various stair sets and gaps that have been conquered with tre flips throughout skateboarding history, though the Davis Gap and Wallenberg spots continue to be referenced as the most iconic locations for this trick.

Contest and Competition Moments

While the 360 flip is a staple trick in modern skateboarding competitions, the most iconic tre flips tend to come from video parts and street spots rather than contest environments. The trick's technical nature and style-focused execution make it particularly suited to the creative freedom of video filming rather than the pressure of competition judging.

The Cultural Impact

The 360 flip has evolved from Rodney Mullen's freestyle innovation into one of skateboarding's most recognizable and essential tricks. It represents a bridge between technical difficulty and visual appeal, making it a favorite among both skaters and spectators. From Jason Lee's early street adaptations to modern technical masters like Stefan Janoski, the tre flip continues to be a measuring stick for skateboarding skill and style.

The trick's prominence in iconic photographs, video parts, and skateboarding culture has cemented its place as not just a technical maneuver, but a cultural touchstone that defines skateboarding's progression from its freestyle roots to modern street skating.

References

360 Kickflip - Wikipedia * Main page * About Wikipedia - [x] Appearance Edit links * Article - [x] Tools * Download QR code Image 4This article **has an unclear citation style**. The **360 Kickflip**, 360 Flip, Trè Flip or 3 Flip is a skateboarding trick invented by Rodney Mullen. The 360 Kickflip has become a standard street trick and has also come to be one of the most recognizable. * Wikipedia references cleanup from January 2024 * All articles needing references cleanup * Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from January 2024 * Articles with unsourced statements from January 2024 * This page was last edited on 15 July 2024, at 05:42(UTC). * About Wikipedia * Contact Wikipedia

Guinness World Records says Rodney Mullen invented thirty skateboard tricks ... 360 Flip (1983): Also known as the 'tre flip,' this trick combines a

360 Varial Kickflip/360 flip/Tre flip [edit] Main article: 360 Kickflip A combination of a 360-degree backside-pop shuvit and a kickflip. Also known as a tre flip. Professional skateboarders such as Josh Kalis, Capaldi, Ethan Fowler, Jason Lee, and Stefan Janoski have been recognized for their 360 flips. The trick was invented by Mullen in 1983. [...] When a skateboarder flips the board 360 degrees on its horizontal axis by flicking the corner of the board towards the backside of the skater—the trick was invented by Mullen in 1982 in a Floridian farmhouse. Instances of multiple spins are named according to how many spins are completed (e.g. double kickflip, triple kickflip, etc.)—professional skateboarder Daewon Song was filmed in 2010, performing both a double and triple kickflip, in a web video entitled "Daewon Dorking Around at DVS". [...] A 360 frontside pop shuvit combined with a kickflip. Professional skateboarder Jimmy Carlin was filmed executing a 360 hardflip down a set of stairs in the video Capital Motion. American skateboarder Robbyn Spangler-Magby (amateur) has also been filmed executing the trick—at 1,000 frames per second with a Redlake N3 high speed camera—for the Skateology web-based video series.

Throughout the 1980s, Mullen invented many of skating's flip tricks, including the kickflip, the heelflip, the 360-flip, and many others. These freestyle

**YouTube** The video discusses the most famous 360 flip in skateboarding history, with many skaters agreeing that Chris Joslin's 360 flip down the Davis Gap is the most famous

something about that clip you know equally as oppressive hunted a skateboard of wenberg I'm assuming Jamie Thomas edited that thing together for me the most 360 Flip ever done is like not even a contest Chris Joslin Davis Gap it is bar none probably the best three flip that you could ever do down a gap and the Gap is like an 18 to 20 that takes a cake I mean if I had to go second I'd say Josh kis over the can best 360 Flip ever done Josh kis Josh kis is Trey flip at Love Park sort of like the [...] barn in Florida I think quite honestly the most famous one is either is either ours or Josh kis over the garbage canot love that was on the box of every pair kses that sold and dude they sold you know what the most famous 360 Flip for me actually growing up is Johnny Leighton switch trade flip down Carl's bed I think as far as the regular one goes I really like Stef on Janowski straight flip tutorial where he's like skating down the beach and I just thought that was the most relaxed looking 3 [...] Now that the professionals have spoken, it's your turn...what do you think is the most famous 360 flip ever done? Not the biggest, longest or fastest...the most famous. Not who has the best 360 flip or the hardest 360 flip ever either. The small batch that we interviewed, narrowed it down to Chris Cole at Wallenberg and Chris Joslin at Davis Gap with Josh Kalis at LOVE Park right there with them. It may be impossible to say and it may be completely dependent on the generation you grew up

**YouTube** [00:32]. Chris Cole's 360 flip down Wallenberg is also mentioned as a contender

Skate legend Chris Cole saves you time learning the Tre Flip ... video parts and gold medals with this trick. Learn from the best in the

**YouTube** [00:51]. The video also mentions Josh Kalis's 360 flip over the trash can at Love Park

Mike Blabac and Josh Kalis made magic this day at Philly's famed LOVE Park and if you love the photo then you'll surely love the story behind it

523 votes, 26 comments. Mothafuckas don't know Earl Hickey popularized tre flips on normal-sized boards!! Rodney obviously invented them but

With any “best of” list it’s important to start where it all began. Blind’s 1992 promo was only eight minutes long but was loaded with heavy footage. Guy’s switch 360 flip down a four stair in the opening montage was the first time it had ever been recorded on film and just one of many NBD’s Guy has been responsible for throughout the years. \*And before anyone tries to correct me and say that Jed Walters was the first to film it, _Pack of Lies_ came out before _Love Child_ in the same summer of 1992. So there. ## Eric Koston, Falling Down (1993) It’s hard to say anything about Koston that hasn’t been said before, the dude has literally been pushing it since day one. In 1993, 101 released _Falling Down_ and immediately catapulted Koston to legend status. Just one year after Guy’s first switch tre, Koston took his down the infamous EMB 7. Dude could have retired 20 years ago and still been the sickest. ## Rob Welsh, Free Your Mind (2003)

If you know me, then you know I’m a Welsh fanatic. So it wouldn’t be out of line to think I’m cherry picking, but let’s be honest: you know which one I’m talking about here. Welsh’s switch tre at SF’s Three Up Three Down is bonkers, even if it is just down a three stair. You’d be hard pressed to find a more textbook execution of this trick, I mean they slow-mowed it for christ’s sake! Long live Wu-Welsh. ## Anthony Van Engelen, The DC Video (2003) Despite how tempting it is to say that AVE’s switch tre at L.A. High in _The DC Video_ is “fucking awesome”, I’m not quite sure that really does it justice. Skating mach 10 in the midst of a six trick line, AVE unleashes a switch 360 flip unlike any other. You know it’s good if you had to pick your jaw up off the floor for a flatground trick. ## Josh Kalis, The DC Video (2003)

You can’t have a list about any type of 360 flip and not have Josh Kalis’ name on there. The two are inextricably linked forever. The switch tre attempt over the trash can at Love Park in the beginning of his DC Video part is so good it doesn’t even matter that he didn’t roll away from it. I’m not sure the world was really ready for a switch tre that good. Do I even need to mention he landed like five feet away from the trash can? Probably could have done it over two of those fuckin’ things. ## Gonz, Real to Reel (2001) Like anything and everything Gonz does it’s totally unique. He could make every list made about skateboarding for any reason. His line at Third and Army in _Real to Reel_ ends with a switch 360 flip that compared to some others on this list would seem sub-par at best. However, for the Willy Wonka of skateboarding every trick he does is magic and if you went street skating today, you have this dude to thank. ‘Nuff said. ## Johnny Layton, Suffer the Joy (2006)

J-Lay has taken his switch tre from here to Bangkok, and personally it never gets old for me. His most memorable up to this point (I’m assuming by the time his Vans part drops he’ll have one upped himself) was over the infamous Carlsbad gap in Toy Machine’s _Suffer the Joy_. ## Zered Bassett, Vicious Cycle (2005) At the time of this video’s release, there is a strong argument to be made that Zered was the absolute best on a board. Dude dropped an eight minute part with zero fillers in 2004…by today’s standards that’s a career’s worth of footage let alone one part. With corn rows and a filmer board Dr. Z prescribed a deathly dose of switch 360 flip madness off an unsuspecting bump, easily twice his own height (sincerest apologies for that awful doctor/prescription joke.) ## Brian Wenning, Photosynthesis (2000)

I nearly broke my VCR rewinding this part so many times. Wenning’s ender in Alien’s classic _Photosynthesis_, wasn’t just huge for east coast skateboarding, it was just huge period. Completely asleep at the wheel Wenning roasts one of the sickest switch tre’s off the rugged-as-fuck Brooklyn Banks nine stair. Easily one of the gnarliest tricks to go down there. ## Rune Glifberg, Sorry (2002) Every list needs a wildcard but that doesn’t make Rune’s switch 360 flip at the end of his _Sorry_ part any less gnarly. And yes, Danny Way did do some fucked up no grab switch tre’s in _The DC Video_, but Rune’s was first. At the time I didn’t care for vert skating at all, but watching Rune reel in that switch tre to regular changed my whole perspective. Next time you’re near fifteen feet of vert imagine even attempting that. Unreal.

Stefan Janoski still has one of the silkiest 360 flips in the game. Style king! And Koston's way-too-casual nollie back heel is a sight for

Higher quality upload of the classic video of Stefan Janoski's 360 flip trick tip from Transworld Skateboarding's video Show Me The Way

DGK pro Josh Kalis has one of the best 360 flips in the game. He's in the TransWorld park breaking it down. Flimed by Jimmy Astleford.

Similar to Stevie, Pluhowski spent an entire (albeit short) video part doing mainly only flip tricks and happened to check off the most difficult-to-pull-off-well one for it. [**View @ 0:40**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkaHntZnCG4#t=0m40s) **8\. Brian Anderson — Girl: _Yeah Right!_ (2003)** ![8-ba](https://quartersnacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/8-ba1.jpg) As one of the great 360 flippers in the history of skateboarding, it’s odd that B.A. has simultaneously earned a reputation as one of its great varial flippers. Even Kalis, who is no stranger to flip trick experimentation considering he did a heelflip sex change in a (semi-recent) part, steers clear of it. Luckily, the green screen board B.A. did his fakie _Yeah Right!_ ender on wasn’t edited out in post-production. [**View @ 2:46**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSPEgngk5sA#t=02m46s) **7\. Clyde Singleton — _411VM_ #35: “Profiles” (1999)** ![7-clyde](https://quartersnacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/7-clyde.jpg)