Moa Zander

Moa Zander, better (and exclusively) known as “Chicken,” is a Malmö local and certified transition sorcerer. A graduate of Bryggeriet Skate Gymnasium - Sweden’s low-key Hogwarts for skateboarding - Chicken doesn’t just skate bowls, she dominates them. Five-oh to fakie? That’s just a warm-up.

Equal parts artist, skate rat, and blessed with a razor-sharp mind, she’s always doodling something weird in her sketchbook between sessions - or throwing herself into something fast, tight, and barely possible. Creative, committed, and completely unmistakable from the first push, Chicken’s got that rare thing: a style you recognize before you even know her name. There’s a unique rhythm to how she moves - spontaneous but thoughtful, chaotic in the best way. Poetry in motion.

With a strong character and a deep love for skateboarding at its purest, Chicken doesn’t do things halfway. She battles for clips, supports her crew, and brings full presence to every spot, every session. We’re proud to have her on the Vans team, and excited to watch where she takes things next.

Where are you right now?

Right now I'm sitting in my home in Malmö.

Give us a little background on yourself.

My name is Moa Zander. I'm 22 years old and I come from Sundsvall in Sweden. But now I have lived in Malmö for about 7 years. I moved to Malmö when I was 16 to go to Bryggeriet skateboard gymnasium and after that I stayed in Malmö and started working at Bryggeriet Skatepark where I am still working today.

Talk us through your journey in skateboarding.

I started skating when I was 10 in Sundvall where I grew up. My brother had a skateboard. And I started rolling with him outside where we lived. My brother has been very supportive with me skating and really got me into it. He went to the skatepark with me a lot. He went with me to a bowl skate competition for the first time, in Stockholm. There I met John Magnusson who works at Bryggeriet skatepark. Later, he asked if I was going to start at Bryggeriets gymnasium. Then it worked out so I could move to Malmö and start school there.

When I got on the Vans team I injured my knee. It was about 4 years ago. I had an operation and did rehab for about 1 year. Then I started skating again, but then I twisted my knee again skating, I injured my ACL but it didn't completely break. So did rehab for about 1 more year. But since then, now I feel good with my knee – getting stronger every day. I’m stoked to skate a lot now, I feel good and I’m back in my body and mind – all is in the right place.

How is the difference in scenes between Sundsvall and Malmo?

In Malmö there's a much bigger scene with so many skaters. And there are a lot of spots and a lot of skate parks in the south part of Sweden. And a lot of skateboarding events happening in Malmö. The winter in Malmö is very short compared to further north so you can skate outside a lot of the year. In Sundsvall there’s a lot of snow for a big part of the year and a much darker, longer winter. 

How is an average day in Malmö?

Eat a lot of candy, ‘dammsugare’ - a very good Swedish pastry - my favourite. Eat a lot of falafel. Skate a lot. Biking and listening to music. Go to Bryggeriet, hang out. The usual.

Describe your local scene.

Nice, a lot of skaters. A lot of stuff happening and people doing a lot of stuff. An inspiring place that makes me stoked to go skate.   

What have you been working on recently?

I was in Barcelona recently trying to film some clips for Poetic Collective, filming there with Blai Costa. Got some clips so that felt good. I hung out and skated a lot with Vanessa and Constanza there, it was so nice. I want to go out and film more, I need to go out and look for spots.

How would you describe the vibe within the Vans skate team?

It's so nice. I was in Vienna recently at the Gnarathon event where I met the team. It was very nice to meet everyone.  

How is it being on Poetic Collective?

Being on a Poetic Collective is so nice. Such a nice team, and inspiring people to surround myself with. I am grateful to be a part of it. I got so much support from Tom Botwid over the years, he has helped me a lot. 

What and who inspires you in skating?

Skate crews, watching videos people make inspire me a lot. I like to watch videos of skating from big concrete bowls to Electric Wizard. Any videos with cool editing and animations. Music. There Skateboards Crew. Long grinds. Friends. That makes me want to go skate and inspires me. Skaters who inspire me are Mimmi Leckius, Hugo Håkansson and Elliot Toiminen.

What trips have stood out for you?

I went to Biarritz last year to the Queen Classic surf festival. It was so nice. After that we went in the van to Spain and we skated a lot in Bilbao. Such a good crew, it was so nice to meet everyone. And most importantly we ate a lot of good food, fish, squid, tortilla patata – all the good stuff.   

Where are your favourite places to skate in Europe?

It's been very nice to skate in Barcelona, a lot of grind bank spots and then Bobila and Picnic DIY is so nice. And I met so many nice friends in Barcelona.  

How would you describe the women’s skate scene in Scandinavia?

Nice - a lot more women skating, and definitely a lot more in Malmö.

And outside of skating - what gets you fired up?

Listening to music, going to concerts, watching music videos, listening to Lady Gaga, hanging out with friends, drawing.

How does it feel to be on the Vans team?

It feels weird, in a good way. Feels crazy to get to meet the people and be involved. So stoked. 

Favourite Vans shoe to skate in?

I really like the classic Old Skool in all black. But now I have been skating in the Authentic High, they feel really nice.  

Any last words? A message for the internet? A message to your former self?

Thank you for all the support and I’m so grateful to get the opportunity to go and meet new people and good friends I meet through Skateboarding.