BEAR X Jay Hennicke
INSIDE VOICES
BEAR X JAY HENNICKE
Jay is one of those people who is somehow everywhere - the kind of bloke everyone knows, and everyone likes. A bloody good mate, a bloody good guy. Keep him on your radar - he is going to go far. Here’s Jay.
Jay - by Eden Wilday with assist from Kishka Jensen
Give us an elevator pitch.
Hi! I'm Jay, I'm 25 years old, I live in Hobart, Tasmania, I'm a lawyer by trade, but most excitingly (I would say), I'm currently one of the top freestyle football athletes in the world. I've been doing freestyle for almost 11 years now. I'm the four-time Australian champion, the 2023 Asian Pacific champion, and the 2023 Red Bull Street Style world champion. Other than geeking out about freestyle, I’m a man of many passions including (among other things): travel, film photography, food, chess, or most activities outdoors. I'm pumped to write this piece for BEAR and give some insight!
Jay and Brynjar at the World Finals in Pula, Croatia 2022 - Nikon FE 35mm
You travel a lot for freestyle football, given your tight timeframes do you feel like you get to explore a place fully, or does it leave you wanting more?
This is a question I get pretty consistently. I would say I'm almost always left wanting more after travelling for freestyle. Usually, whether I'm travelling for competition or performance, I have a pretty tight schedule to fit in everything I need to do. In saying that, I always try to give a day or two (or at least an afternoon) to exploring some spots I've researched, or that have been suggested to me by friends. I always find I like to schedule things in pretty tightly said that I can really feel like I've been to a place. A great way to do this is visiting popular wine bars/cafes with people I’m travelling with.
Eipsee Range Germany 2021 - Nikon FE 35mm Film
Caitlyn in Valencia, Spain 2021 - Nikon FE 35mm
The most memorable moment you’ve had while travelling.
Winning the world championships in Brussels, 2023 has to take the cake.
Share your favourite stay.
A beautiful inner city apartment in Lisbon.
3 songs that belong on every road trip playlist…
Tyler, The Creator - SAFARI
KAYTRANADA - 10%
Anita Ward - Ring My Bell
Melbourne/Naarm Australia 2022 - Coffee break with Jordy - Nikon FE 35mm
What’s the best place freestyle has taken you, and the best place you’ve taken yourself. Why?
I always think of these questions as one in the same, because I never really take myself anywhere without freestyle. In a way, all the training I've done to qualify for these competitions is taking myself to these places. To answer the question more directly: I would say my favourite place freestyle has taking me has to be Japan. I just love everything about the culture - whether it's the freestyle community, the incredible food, or simply the aesthetic and feeling of each place I visited in Japan.
Eclipse in Toyko - Leon - 2023 - Nikon FE 35mm
Tell us your favourite wine bar or restaurant that we might not know about!
My favourite wine bar pick has to be Ogee, located in North Hobart, Tasmania. Although Ogee is very popular in Hobart, people from outside Tassie might not be aware of it. If you’re coming to Tassie for a visit, definitely check it out for wine/dinner!
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue their passion, what would it be?
My advice to someone who wants to pursue their passion would be to follow what you want to do and what you find interesting, rather than what is expected of you. I guess it’s easy to say retrospectively, but I would say I was fortunate to find my passion from a very early age - I was about 12. My early love for freestyle meant it was pure without any expectation – I just did it because I wanted to and I was inspired. All the free time I had to kill as a teenager allowed me to practice freestyle freely and to let it form a big part of my identity. From there it was easy to keep going.
On stage during the world finals 2021 in Valencia, Spain - photo by @lotarfreestyle
Red Bull Bassline 2025 after performing on court in Melbourne, Australia
If you could live anywhere other than Tassie, where would you choose and why?
London! The freestyle scene, fashion, and vibe of the place is ideal for me – so much so that I’m making the move over to London in May. A close second place would be Sydney, I love the energy every time I visit.
Where is your next holiday destination?
Nationally: Sydney
Internationally: UK, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland!
You can find Jay on Instagram here.
Stray beautiful,
BEAR.
* Cover tile by Eden Wilday with assist from Kishka Jensen.