Meet NUBZ, the Bethlehem skateboarder breaking barriers on and off the board
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Brandon “NUBZ” Kessler has been skateboarding for 21 years, but his approach to the sport goes far beyond kickflips and ollies. Born with an undeveloped left hand, the 27-year-old Lehigh Valley skater has turned what some might see as a limitation into a powerful platform for change.
“I embrace my disability in a unique way, to show people with disabilities that it’s okay to be different because we’re all the same at the end of the day,” said Kessler.
Kessler’s connection to skateboarding began at age 7 when his father taught him and his two brothers. The family moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania about 20 years ago, and Kessler has remained deeply embedded in the Lehigh Valley skating community.
He’s a regular customer at Amateur Athlete, the Bethlehem skate shop that has been serving the local skateboarding community since 1982. Located on West Union Boulevard, the shop has been a cornerstone of the area’s skating culture for over four decades, and Kessler has been shopping there since childhood.
His primary skating crew, “Just Shred Crew”, consists of himself and his two brothers. Although Kessler frequently finds himself skating alongside other local skaters who care to share the park.
“We’re all family at the end of the day, because skateboarding is like the biggest thing, in my opinion,” he said.
Having faced the continued effects of unemployment due to disability discrimination, Kessler decided to launch “NUBZ” branded merchandise, clothing, and accessories designed to spread disability awareness and dismantle stigma with skater-style swagger.
“Sometimes when you work for a job or any kind of company, sometimes they look you up and down like you’re a liability when you’re not,” Kessler explained. “It’s hard to get a job these days from my end because I don’t have another hand like everybody else, but I feel like anything’s possible if you put your mind to accomplishing anything in life.”
Kessler’s message has caught the attention of skateboarding legend Bam Margera, the West Chester native known for his role in the “Jackass” franchise.
Their paths crossed in 2018 at the former concert venue, One Centre Square in Easton, during a CKY show, where Margera was in attendance to support his brother Jess Margera, the band’s drummer.
“He thought I was pretty cool,” Kessler recalled. The connection led to skating sessions and genuine friendship, with Margera proudly wearing NUBZ merchandise—a significant endorsement that has boosted Kessler’s visibility.
“I definitely appreciate him repping my stuff, and that kind of was like, you know, pretty good sales,” Kessler said.
Kessler has participated in plenty of local skateboarding competitions and events. He’s been involved with Halloween jams at Jordan Skate Park in Allentown, working alongside Amateur Athlete, Concrete Ride, and Red Mag.
“I just skate for fun, because that’s all it’s about is having fun,” Kessler emphasized. “I could care less about going pro. I just want to do this for the rest of my life as a fun career and spread disability awareness.”
The Lehigh Valley has shown growing support for more inclusive spaces and diverse voices, even in regards to skateboarding.
Most recently, skaters throughout the region have come together to rally for a new skate park in Easton, just south of the downtown area on Lehigh Drive, free and available to skaters at any skill level.
Kessler’s approach reflects a broader movement within skateboarding culture toward inclusivity and acceptance. His personal motto encapsulates this philosophy: “Live rad, don’t be lame. For real, we are all the same. Skate for life. I love everybody that’s on a skateboard.”
For Kessler, the goal is to change the public perception. To show that differences don’t have to be barriers, one NUBZ-branded t-shirt or snapback hat at a time.
“You know, being discriminated against basically… it’s hard,” he said. “I have a nub I was born with. So why not just try to spread awareness for disabilities.”
Brandon Kessler can be found skating throughout the Lehigh Valley and promotes his NUBZ Merch brand through social media channels.
Connect with NUBZ and his growing community of supporters on Instagram at @nubz.skater and @nubz_merch, where he shares skating content and updates about his merchandise.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@just_shred_crew
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557428039045
