Forrest Edwards seems to have come up somewhat out of the blue, similar to Pat Pasquale. The only major difference I'd say would be that Forrest actually had SLAP Mag's OIAM to use as a platform into the industry. With that platform, he still couldn't get a full sponsorship! Dropping two heavy parts is one thing, and nowadays a reasonable argument for turning pro, but neither of them had any sponsorship affiliation. Maybe it's just me, but I feel it's justifiable to expect a flow dude or an am especially to drop a part for their board sponsor in order to step it up to the next level. Unhinged was through Thrasher and Wild Power (above) was independent. As far as skating goes, Forrest is definitely at a high level that I can definitely understand is pro-worthy: 360 flip 50-50 grinds down super gnarly and legendary spots, a really tight assortment of rail/gap tricks, and switch flipping Wallenberg after many years of attempts cannot be taken lightly. However, just because Forrest and Garrett Hill are bros and want to start their own company, doesn't mean that Forrest should immediately go pro after never even being am prior. He needs to establish more loyalty with a board sponsor and put in more experience before turning pro, especially when he's been known to have certain questionable personality traits.
After your "basic" fliptricks into grinds (kickflip, nollie heel, etc.) the 360 flip is probably the next in line for the progression and usually done to 50-50. Forrest nails what is now a standard hubba trick (especially for him) down Clipper in his One in a Million episode. This alone is a pretty solid addition to Clipper's trick history, but I'd prefer Jamie Thomas's impossible 50-50 over the 360 flip version any day. That's where Forrest comes in with the 360 flip 5-0 grind at 2:40 in his Unhinged part above. Taking the 360 flip to anything other than 50-50 seems to add a whole new dimension to the gnarliness of the trick. Being able to catch the tre and still lock in the back truck with enough control to balance through the grind is super impressive, so the steezy showboating rollaway makes it that much better. Major props to Forrest for nailing this sick trick down the famous Clipper ledge! (And for going pro for Threat after coming out with tons of crazy clips through parts like Unhinged and Wild Power)
