Catching Up With Jelena Vasiljevic

I always suggest to people to study or live abroad as the experience is unparalleled. Meeting Jelena was definitely a highlight of my time in Milan and not because she could speak Italian and therefore be my translator. It was her all round positivity that led to so many good times. So in true European style grab yourself a drink, kick back as I attempt to delve into the mind of Jelena Vasiljevic.

Let’s start with where you are from, Novi Pazar right? 
Yeah I love it, it is where I grew up. It's full of culture and therefore I learnt a lot from being in Novi Pazar.

I got to know you whilst we were living in Milan, what made you want to study there?
It’s complicated haha. I met my boyfriend (from Milan) three years before going to Milan in Montenegro, so he was one of the reasons I applied to study abroad. I only applied to Milan and they accepted me haha.

So you didn't have a backup plan haha?
I applied for Milano, Bologna and Roma.

But it had to be Milan?
Yeah haha.

There were quite a few culture shocks for myself, was it easy for you to adapt to the Milanese way of life? 
I found it quite expensive, especially if you compare it to Serbia. But for Milanese people it is standard.

Do you miss living in Milan, would you go back? 
Yeah haha I miss the people, Italians and Serbs have something in common, the same temperaments and characteristics. Milan has wonderful food so I would live there. Not for the rest of my life but I would like to spend some time there.





There were some memorable experiences in Milan, any that stick out in your mind? E.g. the unlimited wine party.
Haha yeah the unlimited wine was one of the craziest moments thanks to Tamara.

Do you even remember what happened?
I remember everything haha. I remember your face when I came to you in hospital and you were crying. I thought one of you was dying haha.

Haha I don’t know if I was crying but we’ll blame it on the alcohol.
Haha yeah if you want to hear the whole story, Tamara should tell it.

Any other good experiences?
There was an interesting one where we had a massive fight with pillows. I don’t think you were there though. It was in Castello (Sforza Castle). It went on for about three hours, you couldn't see anything there were so many people just fighting with pillows haha. It was good haha.

Obviously you speak Serbian (native tongue), but you also speak English and Italian, did you learn these languages at school or was it more self taught?
I Began to learn English at elementary and then high school but it was taught horridly. But my parents enrolled me in folklore (traditional Serbian Dance) which meant I was travelling a lot and for that I needed English. So I started to take private classes so I could become more involved. With Italian, that started when I met my boyfriend but now I’m speaking better Italian than I am English haha.

Speaking of Education what are you currently studying at University?
I am studying Pharmacy and am currently in my fourth year. When I finish my fifth year I will have a Masters as well as a Bachelors degree.

Do you enjoy the course?
Yeah, after finishing medical high school I knew I wanted to go into medicine but I realised there were more jobs in Pharmacy and you don’t have to come into close contact with patients. I saw so many things whilst I was doing practicals in hospitals and I was just tired of it.

Do you have any plans for life after University? 
The first thing I want to do is go abroad. I want to go to America and Japan but we will see. Also I’d like to be employed by an established pharmaceutical company. My course is suited to me being a manager of a product but again we will see haha.





It seems like you are travelling all the time....
Haha that is not true.

What’s the best place you've been to? 
For me the best place is Italy. The best place for me is where the best food is. Hong Kong was a good experience because I've never seen such huge cities, full of skyscrapers. But I don’t like it you can't see any trees.

Yeah it is a bit like that in some parts of London.
Yeah I don’t like it.

Are there any places you’d like to go? 
America

Cough* London?
America and London haha. I want to visit England but it is very expensive.

Last Year parts of Serbia and Bosnia were quite badly flooded, it seemed a massive shock to country emotionally and physically.
I was very sad because I wasn't in my country, I was in Milan. But when I saw ESN Milano were donating and helping I was so happy. It was a good way for me to contribute.

How is it now? 
One city was flooded really badly but the whole of Serbia has given money to fix the houses of the families that live there. It’s been really good thanks to the donations from all over Europe. Some families have moved back so it’s getting better.

I think that’s a good place to leave it but I think we all want to know, do you always drink excessively?
Haha to be honest I don’t like to drink that much alcohol. If you remember I get drunk very quickly, it became a bit of a habit in Italy to drink everyday. But coming back home has meant I've lost that habit.

Anyone you would like to thank?
I want to thank Tim haha nah I want to thank everyone that I met in Milan, making it a great time.Especially Tim.
Haha...

 

Flatground, The Berrics and Lifestyle Choices With Christopher Chann

The Berrics undeniably plays in part in today's skateboarding culture. The Berrics has helped and catapulted  the likes of Cory Kennedy, Yoshi Tanenbaum and now more recently Christopher Chann. Christopher Chann is definitely the future of skateboarding not only because he's an incredibly talented skater but because he manages to embody a strong sense of fun and progression.

Hey Chris, how’s it been since competing in Battle at the Berrics VII, have there been any notable differences?

Hey Tim! Absolutely. I was lucky enough to pick up a few sponsors during and after BATB7. Also,  It definitely gave a boost to my YouTube channel, which I'm really hyped about  because I love making YouTube videos.

Has flatground always been a main focus of yours, could you ever imagine it being a platform for you  being able to skate The Berrics.

I wouldn't say a main focus, but it's definitely something that I love doing. Especially because you don't need much. All you need is your board and flatground. I could be on break between classes and just skate some flatground at school. It's very accessible, especially for kids in some countries that don't have access to parks. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to get into The Berrics on my own through flatground. Usually you have to be some kind of pro or am to get in. So when I got a text message from my friend telling me The Berrics was looking for me I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Then 5 minutes later I realized that I would have to actually play and try not to get skunked in the first round so that made me a little nervous haha.

Does it take a lot of motivation and patience when it comes to learning and filming your flatground videos?

Hmmm, I guess it depends on the trick and what phase I'm in during the learning process. I usually feel like I'm naturally motivated because I'm psyched on learning a new trick. Patience doesn't really occur to me because I'm just having fun and time is just flying by. I'm just in a state of flow, fully immersed and focused on the trick.  But sometimes If  I'm trying a really hard trick I go through this rollercoaster of ups and downs. And it's during the the downsides where I'm not even close to landing the trick where I try to stay motivated/ patient.

I noticed your pretty healthy is this a conscience decision so that you can skate for longer or just something your parents have instilled? 

It's a conscience decision to live a longer and higher quality life. But my parents definitely instilled it in me as well.

You also do a lot of unboxing videos, are these one off packages or is it a bit more legit?

I guess that depends on your definition of "legit". I'm definitely not AM for any companies at the moment. I guess you can call it flow? I haven't really talked to all of my sponsors about the labeling of my sponsorship deals haha.

With quite a big social following, do you feel as if skating is something you could pursue full time once you've graduated?

I don't really like to have any expectations from skateboarding such as becoming am, pro, or even just flow. I'm more focused on skateboarding itself, I just want to keep progressing and have fun with it. Being Am or Pro would be amazing because it would help me continue skating, but I don't want set myself up with any expectations.

Have you ever skated outside of the States? I can imagine living in Los Angeles means there’s no real need for travelling.

No I haven't, but I'm dying to travel. Los Angeles is great, but I've lived here my whole life and I just want to see what the rest of the world is like.

Skating is definitely going through a transitional period, living in what some might consider the hub of the skate industry have you noticed any struggles or changes( for you) in skateboarding?

I wouldn't say that there are any struggles of living in the hub of the skate industry, It's certainly more advantageous. More opportunities, skaters, spots, and  parks. I can definitely see skaters getting better much faster now because of the increased standard of the media.

Thanks man, any last words?

Yeah thanks for hitting me up to do this interview. I think this is my first web text interview.  And thanks to to everyone who's been supporting me.

The Ollie Pereira Interview

Usually Laurie and I  joke about Ollie's love for the New York scene however, it's Ollie's admiration for that 'style' of skating that makes him a joy to skate with. He is not tied up with learning every flip trick under the sun but rather prefers to be pushing down the streets with his camera in one hand and a beer in the other. Sit back and relax as you find out why Ollie is 'all about the hype.'

Hey Ollie you've been skating for 4/5 years, but do you remember the first time you stood on a skateboard?

Yeah I do! I think it was my eighth birthday and my dad bought me this Argos board for Christmas and that was the first time I stood on a skateboard. I could always ride it, like straightaway I didn't have a problem with that. 

So that was your eighth birthday, how long was it after that, that you started skating properly?

Well I remember one of my friends from secondary school had a party at a skatepark and a week before I really wanted to learn how to ollie. So on this Argos board I learnt to ollie, it took me a few days but I managed to do it and I just wanted to learn it for the party really. But I didn't skate after that till a couple of years later when I started with my friend Laurie. We just got hyped on it. I could already ollie so I taught him and it just started from there. 

Do you remember your first legit setup?

I bought a complete from this random skate shop in Kingston I think, it was a Flip board with Flip wheels and hardware but I can't remember the make of the trucks but I'd never heard of them before. Might have been called Red Devils or something (laughs).

Recently you've been drawn away from brands such as Lakai and Nikesb, these days you seem more hyped on Converse and Palace. What initiated this change? 

I'm still hyped on Lakai as it's skater owned and stuff  and I've had quite a lot of Nike's as they're great shoes but sometimes there not quite clean enough. I like quite clean and non bright shoes, I go for white black or grey shoes, block colours. Also I find the skaters that skate for Vans or Converese are a lot more relatetable, you can't emulate skaters such as Nyjah. I'm more into the style and how something might look rather than the hardness of the trick.You could get a really hard trick but if it looks shit it means nothing to me whereas something like an ollie or a push is nothing but it can look just as sick if not better. 

Yeah I agree. Leading on from that New York seems to be a place skaters either hate or love, I think it fair to say you love NY. Is there something specific about that place you relate too?

I've never been to New York but I'd love to but it seems to me that there is so much going on there and its seems like the place is influenced more by the people, the hustle and bustle of the city and the culture. All the art and everything going on seems to rub of onto the skating which I find is more relateable to London. The rough streets, everyone's pushing round to spots and using the tube/metro opposed to using a car. 

You are quite the Dylan Reider and Alex Olson fan, should me and Laurie expect you turn up at the next session with painted nails?

Haha! Oh man you crack me up! Just to make it clear I'm not some kind of Dylan fan girl, but I just have a lot of respect for him and people like him. I mean the 'skateboarding industry' is pretty judgmental and would easily shun things that don't seem to fit in the norm of what others do. I have respect for people who just do whatever they want or wear whatever they want and don't care about what others think. I feel that is how it should be really, it's how things progress. Not just in skateboarding but in everything. If people always thought about how others would view them we wouldn't have some of the great musicians/artists/scientists etc. that that we do, and we would probably still be naked stuck in caves. As for the nail painting, personally I can't see my self doing it haha, but if someone else wanted to, why not? It doesn't effect anyone else, and I mean who really cares!

We recently went on a trip to Barcelona, any memorable moments?

Quite a few, the whole trip was a bit of blur, skating all day and all night and just drinking in the streets. But there are too many to mention.

Go on what's one that might stand out? 

I'd probably say one of the funniest moments was meeting these two drunk chicks when we were on our way back from a bar. They were just weird man(laughs), so weird. You can't really describe it because if I said the conversation now it just wouldn't make sense it didn't at the time and that's why it was so funny.

You've got a pretty relaxed attitude towards skating, you and Laurie both started skating together yet he appears to be a bit more competitive. Do you think there's a reason for that?

It's not that I'm not competitive because I am. I'm just not fussed about learning all these flip tricks, I mean I still can't 360 flip (he can) I've been close but it just hasn't bothered me to sit down and learn them. I just love pushing down the streets having fun with mates, having a good time.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen you angry, I remembered us joking about you being emotionless is this actually the case or is it just a front haha?

Haha that's so funny, it's definitely not a front and I'm definitely not emotionless, but I guess I'm just quite a calm chilled out person. Most of the time if something pisses me off I wouldn't get angry cause I feel that it's not worth getting worked up about it and wasting my energy. But I mean of course I get angry from time to time (who doesn't!) but I feel I might channel it and control it in a different way to the majority of people. Life's too short eyy

You’ve been in a few relationships, do you see yourself as quite the ladies man?

I've only been in one long term relationship and it was great and taught me a lot about myself, but we went to different uni's and the distance just broke it down really. Long distance is hard man, it's a big strain, respect to anyone that makes it work, especially at this age. And I think for me personally at this point of time I don't really see my self having a full on relationship, I don't think it's right for me, there is just so much to experience and do, I feel it would influence a lot of choices I make and maybe even limit me slightly. Haha I know that sounds bad, but I mean I'm barely scraping through taking care of myself and I feel adding someone else into the equation would probably not be the best choice right now! Haha I'm not sure about ladies man, but I'd say I'm just enjoying single life at the moment, whatever happens, happens, if you know what I mean!

It seems these days everyone is producing music and then sticking it on Soundcloud but I have a feeling your music roots go quite far back?

Well, I started playing guitar around the same time I started skating (properly), it's similar to skating as it's a way to express myself. That's probably sounds really dumb (Laughs) but I've had a lot of free time at uni and we don't have a TV so I've just been making songs; writing and recording, Hopefully this year I'll start recording and might be getting a band together which is something I'd love to do. 

Some of your tracks remind me a bit of  the Alternate Hip-Hop genre, is that what you're going for?

(Laughs) That's funny because the music is probably a combination of King Krule and Mac Demarco, guitar, singing and just having fun. But recently I've just been bored so I've been making instrumentals and just doing sad rap and trip hop remixes just for a bit of fun really and a few of them turned out quite good. But yeah that's just a bit of a joke really. 

Where do you draw inspiration from for your music?

 A lot of my music usually comes on passed experiences or things that I want to happen in the future, same as anyone really, just draw on life experiences; skating, people I look up to that kind of thing.

Photography is another one of your passions, I'm guessing you enjoy it and it wasn't just an A-level?

I've always been quite into art and I'd never really done photography before but it was like art but it didn't take as long to do if that makes sense. Being a skater, photography and videography is held quite highly in that respect, so I'd had a bit of street training from that. I did photography A-Level and I really enjoyed. I feel I have quite a good eye for things that look good or maybe not and that why I take pictures. Hopefully this year, I've got a lead on maybe exhibiting a bit but yeah I don't do enough at the moment need to get back on it. 

                                                                                       Taken by Ollie Pereira

So this might be a busy year for you. DJ-ing and then exhibits too look forward to hopefully.

Well usually I just DJ at house parties, I'm the house DJ some people don't like it as I just put whatever the Fuck I feel on really.

We all know you love a good night out which we experience when we saw you in Brighton, any good stories?

Once again this is like Barcelona too many to mention but you meet some real characters when you're out. You meet people on night outs that I can't remember but also I've met people on night outs that I'm now really good friends with. At university especially in Brighton you just get caught up in the belly of the beast, it's hard not to get caught up in some of it but if you can control it you have a great time. 

So you're studying Psychology, do you have an idea of what you want to do after your degree?

I thought I did when I came to uni and that I  wanted to do something to do with psychology but I think that was for me to just settle on one course. Recently I've been trying to setup a work experience with a Banking company in London. It's a bit weird but it would look good on the CV. I don't know though I haven't given it that much thought, I'll let a few things fall into place.

Right that sounds like a good place to leave it. Any Last words.

Cheers Tim (laughs). It's sunny so lets go do a bit more skating ! 

Find Ollie's music at  https://soundcloud.com/elevensevens

An Interview with Michael Sommer

Hailing from Oslo, Norway where there are no skateparks, Michael Sommer's done pretty well for himself landing himself a handful of sponsors. With him recently joining Nikesb and two video parts in the works, the future is definitely looking bright.

Hey Michael you’re currently living in Oslo Norway, is there quite a good scene out there in terms of; spots, parks, crews etc?

Hi Tim! Yeah, Oslo is pretty cool. We have a lot of street spots around town but unfortunately no skate park, indoor or even outdoor. Hopefully we get one soon even though there has been talk about it for more then 10 years now.  This means we need to escape the long winters. Maybe try travel to Spain,California or China would be sick to check out. 

I heard during 1977 – 1989 skateboarding was banned in Norway, did you notice the impact of this when you were growing up skating? 

HAHA! Yeah, so stupid! Don`t really know the whole story behind it getting banned. But I think it  was something about  it being dangerous and that in the US they had troubles with skaters/punkers just being destructive, doing drugs, tagging and destroying things.  When I grew up as a kid there was only a handful of kids skating in my whole school. I always felt different  from all the other ones because of what I was doing. I kind of became the skater in school that was always late for classes and didn't care about anything but skating. I met one of my old teachers from when I was 14, he said, "Did everything work out for you?" Like he had no beliefs in me at all! HAHA, those where the days I guess.

Oslo, Norway I think is the most expensive city to live in, in the world is this actually the case or is it mellow if you know where to shop?

Yupp, the case is that people make a lot of money here even in basic jobs. But the prices is off course adjusted up to that.  The good thing about this is that if we travel outside of Norway our money is worth a lot. The bad side is that almost no skate teams choose to come here. Pretty sure it is the price that makes them back off. Typical things that are expensive here are; eating out, buying cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol, rent etc. There is also a lot of foreign people coming to Norway to work as waiter, kiosks, bartenders etc. “The jobs the Norwegian people are to lazy want to do”.  

By the way the Germans love to come here and see our nature and do some fishing. They fill up their caravans full of food,drinks, beer etc. So they end up not spending anything here but gass money in Norway! HAHA!

You’re pretty much fluent in English did you learn the language at school or did you feel you had to become fluent to keep up with all the skate news?

Thanks mate. I really like to talk English and I guess that has a lot to do with it. Everything is easy if you like it. Like it makes sense to work on it. Hehe. I read English every day. Maybe more then I read Norwegian. LOL. I just enjoy staying updated on football news and skate news.

Are you still getting hooked up with Smoothie Exchange, free smoothies sounds like a dream? I mean how does a sponsor like that eve come about?

Yeah, best sponsor in the world! My friend Jølle “Jørgen  Johannessen”  has been friends with the two guys behind it for a long time. And they are stoked on skateboarding and wanted to hook some skaters up. So Jølle hit me up one day and asked if I was hyped on it. So now I have been skating for them since 2008. Wow, 6 years. And the smoothies they make are really healthy and good for you. I try to go there every day when I'm home in Oslo.

How do you deal with skate injuries? Do you get up to much when you’re not skating?

Injuries come and go. I use to stress more about it before and have way more trouble with injuries. Usually that just makes it worse. I try not to focus on the pain, or else it never goes away. What you focus on ,you will get more of. And I try to do some basic balance training for my knees and ankles. 

How are things working out for you now that you’re on Nikesb? Do you see a lot of differences to DC shoes?

Things are going good. Colin Kennedy  “Nike sb EU TM” is helping me out alot. DC and nike are both two big brands that pay their skaters good.  I like that Nikesb have a really big skate team with so many different styles.  Something for everybody. Like there is no main Nike SB style. They have everything from Koston, Janoski, P-rod to more underground skaters like Grant Taylor, Gino Iannucci and Daniel Shimizu.  What I like about Nikesb is that they support both main stream and underground skating. And that is dope!

You've been all around Europe and to the states, does all the travelling ever get a bit tiring? Or is it a great way to avoid the Norwegian Winters?

Haha, traveling is a fun and educational is my opinion. I just like to see different cultures, cities and scenes. If you seen that, you can start comparing it to your own scene.  And that is pretty interesting. Yeah, Norwagian winters are so long and cold. Winter last for about roughly five or six months a year. I always try to get away from it. If not for the whole of winter at least for a month or two.  

Do you have any projects you’re working on at the moment? 

Right now I'm working on two parts with the same filmer. Pretty funny. Trying to make a City Hall plaza part, shoot photos for a Dank interview and a street part from Oslo. Hopefully I will get them done before winter hits hard. And that can happen fast up here. LOL

Cheers Michael any last words?

Not really but I would like to thank you for making this interview possible. and thank everyone for helping me out and having faith in me. First of all My family , Bernhard sports, Almost skateboards, Luis Cruz, Dank, Colin Kennedy, Nike SB, Smoothie Exchange, Oakley Lasse, Session, Eilif, ,Pekka, Bliss wheels , The Homies and everyone that I forgot. -Michael


Michael Sommer 2014 part

Getting To Know Morgan Smith

It seems as if Morgan Smith kind of blew up out of nowhere however, since his arrival on the skate scene he's constantly showcased his incredibly tech tricks and crazy consistency. I decided to catch up with Morgan to try and get an insight into one of the many Canadian skaters that are killing the game at the moment. 

Can you tell us the story of how you started skateboarding?

I was was 6 years old & living in Midland, Ontario, Canada, super small town about 2 hours North from Toronto. I kept seeing older guys skating in the mall parking lot or at schools or whatever and I just thought it was the sickest thing ever. My mom bought me a board for my birthday and I just skated in the backyard on this little patch of cement for almost 2 years. We moved to North York when I was around 10 years old, which is way closer to Toronto, and that’s when I really started skating everyday. I had a little skate crew and we went downtown and all that.

You’re constantly travelling back and forth between Toronto and California for skating, what are the most prominent differences between the two for you?

California you need a car to do anything. You always have to pick a spot, pick a trick you want to do, drive there, most likely get stuck in traffic, most likely get there and get kicked out. California just isn't as organic as Toronto, where you can just walk out the door and skate around the city.  Plus everything in Toronto is generally pretty close together, where as in California everything is really spread out. I’m pretty biased on this topic just because Toronto is where I’m from and I’m just more comfortable here.  But I honestly feel Toronto is a better city for actually going out and skating the streets compared to California where you spend the majority of your time driving around.

You get hooked up by Blue Tile Lounge Skate shop, do you think it’s important to support your local?

Yeah gotta support the local, Bluetile is killing it right now, they just moved into a bigger shop down on Dundas and Euclid, right by Dunbat skatepark, check it out if your in the area. We're working on a little video actually so watch for that. Thanks to Rob, Julie and the whole family over there. But honestly everything local gets me more excited. Local shops, local companies, footage of locals ripping, its just more real. I like to support local farmers & all local business’s really. I think it’s cool to support people who go for it and start something on their own, and hopefully watch it grow.

You've put out some memorable video parts over the years is there one that sticks out for being your favorite?

Really old parts of myself are crazy to watch, I just think like “what the hell I could do that back then??” , Switch skateboarding vol 1, or Environment were good times, everyone was just a young skate rat, body never gets sore. I’ll sometimes see a clip and just remember everything that happened that day, its cool to reminisce like that.

What’s your approach to filming a video part?

Just go skate normally, if I’m feeling it, I’ll try something, but I know when I’m not feeling it, so I won’t force it. Sometimes I’ll just see a spot and just know the trick I want and try but that’s rare haha. I usually have to be really hyped on the trick I’m trying, I’m my own worst critic for sure.

You recently took part in BATB7, being a previous winner of BATB is there added pressure to perform?

Yeah but it’s not so much pressure as it’s people trying to take me out! Haha, Like kids will come up to me and want to play skate and just try to take me out in 5 tricks, go straight for the throat you know?  I don’t really mind, because this shit isn't competitive for me, but it’s just crazy how some kids think about skating now a days.  “I beat Morgan in skate, I’m better than a pro!!” is an actual quote I've heard haha.

What’s the best trip you've been on?

Tough question. We just went all through Europe for 3 months this past winter and that was awesome - Barcelona, Valencia , Lisbon, Leiria, Porto, Madrid, Rome, Innsbruck, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen. That was really fun to plan and then just go for it, my buddy Duncan made that one happen. But one of my favorite trips was Lima, Peru with Momentum wheels a couple years back. Lima is an amazing place, way different culture then anything I had ever seen, almost 3^rd world, but such sick locals that took care of us and showed us a great time. We also went to the Machu Picchu ruins way up in the mountains, which you should Google if your not familiar.  Machu Picchu was pretty much the craziest thing I've ever seen and really got me sparked on researching ancient ruins like the Pyramids in Egypt & Mexico, & stuff like Stonehenge and Easter Island, its pretty insane, it just gets you thinking.

 Being a Professional skateboarder is it hard not to view skateboarding as a profession?

Again I try to just go skate & just do what I've always done because it’s worked out so far haha. Skating has always been just something I do regardless, keeps me sane more or less and gives me a purpose kinda thing.  I just love it.  Now being Pro it’s like alright you've made it this far, now just keep going, it’s a midway point almost. So you gotta keep producing and do what’s asked of you, but I’ll always see skating as my hobby/passion first , and my profession second.

               

What are your plans for the future?

Keep skating, learn tricks, keep my body healthy & injury free, eat good.  I’m working at a new distribution out of Toronto called Kadence distribution, so I’ll be in there a couple times a week, just doing whatever, learning how it all works. Maybe try to plan some trips for this winter, just keep it going pretty much.

Thanks Morgan, any last words?

Thank you for hollering at me with some questions, sorry it took a sec.  Thanks to all my sponsors and everyone who’s helped me out along the way, Mom & Dad and all my friends.  Take your time and enjoy.

Sponsors, Video parts and Living in Cali with Ray Maldonado

In an era where skateboarders are regarded as athletes, it's no surprise to hear about all the sponsor swaps that are currently taking place. Therefore, it was refreshing to speak to Ray Maldonado as it was clear his love for skating clearly surpasses the need to be at the top of the skating community.

  The First time I heard the name Ray Maldonado was when you won the Girl Open House back in 2008, since winning that competition have you progressed in the skating world as much you would have liked?
Oh Man, 2008 seems so long ago! I think as far as my ability on a skateboard I did progress a little. I never really took my skating seriously as in I need to learn this trick or that trick. I kind of would just skate and let the progression come naturally but yeah I wish at times my skating had been up there with what people are doing nowadays.

You've filmed numerous video parts both at The Berrics and in the streets, do you enjoy filming or is it a demanding process?

Filming is fun at times and every skater that has filmed either for a big project or just a homie video knows it can be a bittersweet process. Filming for The Berrics recruit was stressful since at that time either you loved or hated the Berrics everyone would go on the site and watch their videos. So knowing it would get a lot of views I was afraid of putting out a shitty part. I think a lot of people do demand a lot from pros and ams or any average joe part you see out, but you just got to do whats fun for you and if your hyped on what you film that’s all that matters really. 

You've been repping NikeSb for while now, is this through a friend or distributor or is it a more official hook up?

Well in the beginning it started as rep flow then TM flow and I still go through the Team manager. I've been with those dudes for a long time now and even though its really not because of my skating anymore that they hook me up I think they just help a brotha out with some kicks to keep me skating. Thanks SCUBA, RICHINS, ANDY, Travis and all them Nike folks I've met.  

Do you have any other sponsorships?

As I said before I get hooked up not as a sponsorship more of a homie hook up. Just to keep me skating. Shout out to Autobahn, Nike, and Royal. Also thank you to Vern for that time sending me Bones Bearings and James Craig with boards from Dwindle. Oh and Gabe from Matix for the care packages.  

Do you think there’s a line to be drawn with sponsorships i.e. Energy Drinks, or is it all good if they’re flying you around the world for free?

Obviously skateboarding is a business and these huge corporations are trying to cash in on the market but I guess its how you market it. You see some skaters with huge logos of energy drinks or whatever crazy sponsor that has nothing to do with skating trying to brand their skaters. Other skaters have small logos stitched on the most seen places you’d probably wouldn't think which isn't an eyesore. Shit if these guys are able to make a career and retire from this when its all said and done why the hell not have an energy drink sponsor or huge corporate company that wants to throw money at you. Do what ever makes you happy.

With the backing of some sponsors, are you able to skate near enough everyday or do you have a ‘real job’ on the side?

Well its safe to say I don’t have the backing as in “Hey were going on a trip and want you to come!”  It’s just a homie hook up to keep some nice looking shoes and good boards under my feet which is more than enough for me because I never thought skating would lead up to anything that has happened to me. As of right now I don’t skate everyday as much as I would like to since now that I'm getting older and work a full time warehouse job. The mind is willing but the body is exhausted. I do make an effort to go out at least on the weekends and shred with the bros. Shout out to Tony Lopez for being trying to make me film again. 

Being a skateboarder living in California would you say you’re living the dream?

Haha. Well I’m fortunate to live in California, but living the dream I guess you can, not as a skater kid in the middle of nowhere who wishes they can skate in California and pursue skating as a career kinda of dream.  I’m content how things have turned out and now need to make a different dream living in California a reality. 

Thanks Ray any last words?

Thanks for taking the time to reach out to me! Just keep skating and stay positive. A huge thank you to everyone I've met through skating.  Really blessed and grateful for the opportunities I've had through skating.  

Catching up with Laurie Horton

Laurie Horton is perhaps an over grown baby which would explain why he constantly projects positivity and all round good vibes. You can tell he truly loves skating as his drive and willingness comes from a natural desire to better his skating rather than wanting to attract a much needed shoe sponsor. You also never quite know what you're going to get from Laurie as he sometimes drifts in and out of sessions but for this interview he definitely delivered (more than he did at Macba). Enjoy !

Hey Laurie you’re from Tattenham Corner, there’s literally nothing there, is that why you started skating?

The first time I started skating came after me and Ollie were playing Tony Hawks Proving Ground on Nintendo Wii and I was like I actually want to try this and we did, it turned out to be really cool. No one else in Tadworth and Tattenham Corner skates as it’s in the middle of nowhere.

You’re not into the whole park skating, what’s so attractive about skating through the streets of London?

It’s because its perfect, when you’re in a park everything is in certain places and it’s too neat. If you get a trick on say a crusty ledge in the streets it’s much more satisfying, plus I just love cruising down the streets, it’s liberating.

When we first started skating together you used to get so angry over tricks, you've recently mellowed out, what's triggered this change?

I’m not sure when I changed, I sound like I used to have anger issues (laughs). I use to get really frustrated when I couldn't land stuff, I’d chuck my board everywhere and then I just became a little less competitive with it. I started enjoying skating more and also when I would throw my board it would chip (laughs) and then I would have to replace it. It’s just nicer when it’s chilled.

We recently went on trip to Barcelona and became quite familiar with the scene how would you say it differs from the London scene?

It differs a lot. In London everyone sort of knows each other but just on a ‘hey how’s it going’ basis whereas in Barcelona you don’t know them but it’s like your good friends with them. Everything is way more chilled out in Barcelona. I think we got kicked out once on the trip and that was after a three hour session, everything is just more relaxed. I think it’s because the general public understands skating so you don’t get the hassle of the British public.

Everyone knows Barcelona is a skater’s paradise but what made it amazing for you?

The amount of spots that you didn't skate because there was no need because there was always a much better spot round the corner. In England you see a spot it’s not going to be perfect but you see it and think oh that’s skateable let’s have a session. It’s just so much better in Barcelona, I love it, the whole atmosphere is really sick.

Any plans to go back to Barcelona or are there other trips you’d like to go on?

I’d love to go back to Barcelona for a longer period of time. The week was the sickest week but if you went for longer you could get into the scene better you’d also progress a lot. But as far as other trips, I want to go to Paris. I’d quite like to go to Leicester just to skate with the homies (laughs). I’m really hyped on skate trips at the moment.

You study Chemistry at Cardiff University, is it true the subject hours are crazy?

Yeah, it’s still better than being in school (laughs). Some of my flatmates have like 6 hours a week whereas I have around 21 hours some weeks, it’s just really tiring. I probably missed quite a lot of my lectures last term (laughs), but I passed my first year so it’s fine.

Do you have any idea of life after University? You once said to me you didn't want to ‘leave education.....as it would involve getting a job,’ would you consider doing a Masters or PhD?

When I went to Uni I really wanted to do a Masters then a PhD but I look at it now and I don’t think it would be right for me. The reason why I think I want to stay in education is because I don’t like the idea of being stuck in a job, I’m just comfortable in education (laughs). I don’t have any idea of what I want to do after Uni.

How comes you’ve lost interest in doing a Master or PhD?

It’s hard (laughs). It’s difficult, you have to do a lot of work on your own and I never thought about that aspect of it. I was talking with my mum the other day about how if I was left to do my own project and research something I wouldn't know where to start. God knows how I’m going to do my dissertation (laughs). But I'll Cross that bridge when it comes (laughs).

In the time that I've known you, I don’t think you've been in a long term relationship. Are you saving yourself for ‘the one’ (laughs) or you've just become accustomed to the bachelor lifestyle?

(Laughs) Interesting question, yeah I guess I've not been in many relationships to be honest. There’s times when I wish I was. Recently lot’s of my friends have been getting into relationships and it’s nice to see and I’m like ah it would be quite cool if I was in a relationship but at the same time I’m like meh...

If it happens it happens...

Yeah Exactly, Exactly that!

Every time you've come round you play my piano (badly), do you play any other instruments?

Yeah I've played the guitar since I was in Year 8 so that’s about 6 or 7 years. When I started I was like this is a lot of effort but then I just really enjoyed it and now I just love playing guitar.

Have you been in any bands or are you in one at the moment?

I've played with people quite a bit but I've only ever been in one proper band. It was called Breakout but now they’re called St Douglas but I had to leave that band to go to Uni which I was really gutted about. There doing quite well at the moment, I think they are recording an album now.

Can you tell us about the origin of your nickname ‘Pig’?

Who can (laughs), I don’t even remember what skate session it originally came up in. I guess it stems from the days when we’d go skateboarding and  we’d go into the shops and everyone would buy like a drink or something and I’d come out with; two drinks, 3 bars of chocolates, some muffins and ice cream. I've bought full on Chocolate Sundaes in the middle of a session before, it’s not necessary at all (laughs). But I guess that is where the nickname ‘Pig’ comes from. I quite like it I’m glad its stuck.

I've also witnessed you being called ‘Laurol’ and ‘Grom’ is there a story behind these names?

(Laughs). Let’s not even go there (laughs). So recently we went to Brighton to see our mate Ollie whose got a house there whilst he’s at Uni and we went down and skated during the day and then went our during the evening. We were walking back with this group of girls and one of them wasn't sure I guess what my name was (laughs) and turned round and went ‘Hey Laurol’ (laughs) at which point I was like nooo that’s going to stick and unfortunately it has (laughs).

What about ‘Grom?’

(Laughs). So we were at Southbank and there was a wooden manny pad on the floor and I hit the manny pad in a line after hitting the ledge. I thought there was plenty of gap behind me so I thought yeah I’d go for the manny. But the guy behind me seemed pretty upset that I was in front of him and he was already in some temper because he couldn't land his trick. He just shouted 'Grom' at me and skated the length of Southbank a couple of times still shouting ‘Grom, Grom, Grom!’ (laughs) I wasn't really sure what to do about it so I just kept skating (laughs). Just to clear it up I’m not a 'grom' (laughs)....

....Yeah I can vouch for that. Okay let’s finish with a quickfire top 3.

Top 3 Barcelona quotes?

“I feel like a seal” – Tim

“The Barcelona bear comes out the television” – Laurie/Tim

“You’re all about the hype”- Random drunk girl

Top 3 European skaters

Madars Apse

Nassim Guammaz

Benny Fairfax

Top 3 Spots

St Pauls (London)

Paral-Lel (Barcelona)

Forum (Barcelona)

Top 3 Musicians

Metallica

Slash

Stereophonics

Top 3 skate tricks witnessed

Pop shuv nose manny nollie bigspin out at Paral-Lel

Fakie Bigflip manny at Paral-Lel

Milton Martinez seshing Macba 3 block

Top 3 things to look forward too?

Future skate trips

InterRailing round Europe

Finishing the Barcelona Edit

Any last word?

Thank you very much (laughs).