Last Saturday, 14th February, we had a lot to celebrate at hAPpy Days. A farewell to our Ampang Park shop, a ping pong competition, the premiere of Don Irfan's Welcome to Burrow video part, and the HUF team in town for a meet and greet featuring 2020's SOTY, Mason Silva, Daiki Hoshino and Nick Matthews. Big thank you to everyone who turned up to the event and everyone that's been supporting us throughout our time at Ampang Park, it means everything to us.
Don has been around since the beginning with us before it was ever official, and that night it only made sense to make it formal. Today, on Skate Shop Day 2026, we're putting it out for everyone. Watch the video below and have a read on Don's interview. We're hyped to have him repping the shop!
Don Irfan — Welcome to Burrow (2026)
Hello Don! Officially, welcome to the Burrow. How does it feel to be part of the family?
I'm hyped. Super stoked to be a part of a shop, I can proudly say my local skateshop!
You're Malaysian right? You've got a pretty unique name. Why do people call you "Don"?
Of course I'm Malaysian! That's cause I'm the boss you know (hahaha). Nah, it's just my name really. It's a family name. So next time, if you know someone named Don, there is a high chance that they could be related to me (at least if that is their real name).
How did you first get into skateboarding?
It's a mix from Skate 3, Tony Hawk, Michelangelo and pop culture as a whole I would say. I just found it really cool as a kid.
We heard Burrow isn't your first skateshop sponsor. Tell us about the earlier days.
Hahahaha, yes, I used to skate for CSC (Cardiff Skateboard Club) back when I lived in Cardiff. I still consider myself to rep both, well can I skate for two shops? (hahaha) I was a student back then, and I just be skating and hung around with the locals there. I spent almost everyday at the shop primarily after uni/work or lunchtime and just lurking there, watching skate videos, saying what's up before going skating. That was my first time noticing how important skateshop is to the community. It makes me feel so integrated and one with the people there. So I'm really grateful for that. Big ups CSC! They're the best!
After high school, you continued your studies abroad. Where did you go and what did you major in?
I went to Cardiff, Wales to study Computer Science.
What was it like living there?
Grim.
While studying, you were still very active in skating — stacking clips, doing ads, even landing the cover of The Skateboarder's Companion Issue 16. How did you manage both?
At that time, I didn't think it was tough. Both were the things I enjoyed doing regardless. I would say I enjoy doing them rather than saying I was having a hard time with it. I'm lucky enough to meet such wonderful people over there. They made me feel so welcomed and part of the family in which I'm really fortunate for that. They hold a special place in my heart <3.
You spent quite some time in the UK before returning in 2024. What made you decide to come back?
I would say homesickness, and wanting to be closer to my family. Another thing was I also wanted to experience living as an adult in a place where I grew up. Still troubled with that decision if I'm honest.
What are some things you are working on right now?
I'm currently working on numerous things simultaneously, mainly on helping brands/businesses improve their websites or online stores. Basically becoming their digital department would be the easiest way to describe what I do for them. My niche is e-commerce and it all started back when I was working for CSC on their online store back in 2022. From there, I started taking on jobs from different people starting from mates through word of mouth, and now you know, the job scope starts creeping. Right now, I'm tryna get the stuff more organised and structured. That's the goal for this year.
When we opened Burrow two years ago, you were around a lot — especially at Ampang Park. Tell us about that crew.
The first time being in Ampang Park was crazy. I felt like we as skateboarders didn't deserve this if I'm being brutally honest. It's too good to be true to have that space right in the middle of the city, just for skateboarders (big shout out and love to all the people who made it a reality). AP became one of the places I always stop by after work or in between activities just to kill the time. It became this thing called "The Third Place" in my life. It's just a place where all my mates hangout and whenever you decide to go there, you know there is always someone there to hang out with. That's AP. The AP crew is basically everyone who hangs out there.
Ampang Park is such an interesting spot. What's one of the most memorable moments you've witnessed there?
There's definitely a lot of wild moments (hahaha) but I didn't seem to remember them much. In terms of memorable moments, there aren't any specific moments for me. I feel like it's the cumulative moments of the place itself. It's the mundane everyday moments that I feel like gonna be the most memorable for me.
Since it's Skate Shop Day, we'll end with this: What does a skateshop mean to you?
Skate shops are the core of skateboarding for me. It's family, it’s community, it's a "third place", it's a place of belonging. It's one of the only places outside of home where I can just be. CSC showed that and opened my eyes on how skate shops are meant to be, and I'm so fortunate to be at a time where I can also experience the same thing back home. It's always something that was void back when I grew up skating in KL and now it's finally a reality, so I’m grateful that I can be a part of something that actually cares.
Welcome To Burrow, Don. Again, thank you!