Wednesday, September 1. 2010
Rod Ferens Check Up Interview
Photos: Christian
Boosh, Swoosh, Juiced. Four years ago, The Rodfather had the first skatenewspot interview. A lot has changed for the former Pegger/Vancouver transplant. Find out exactly what below.
In your first interview, you talked about how much you love Vancouver. You said you don't leave unless it's to visit family. Do you still feel the same way about your city?
Ya totally! I just moved into a dope spot with my home boy Luke, right in the heart of the city. It kinda sucks to see a bunch of the homies leave back to the peg, but someone needs to run things out there.
At the time of your first interview you were managing the Canucks store, then you managed Goodfoot. Your new job is different. Tell us about it.
Ya! That was a fun time running Goodfoot, but like everything good, it always comes to an end! I took a job with Take Five trading which was a great learning experience, but unfortunately, it was victim to my wife breakup. I just wasn’t in the right mind frame, and I probably drove Garry crazy with all my shit.
Back then you rode for some serious companies (Nike, DGK, Gold, Venture). Out of the blue you decided to quit them all. What was your thinking with that decision? Looking back, do you feel it was the right thing to do?
Naw, I don’t regret doin it. I hope they gave my shit to someone who needed it, who couldn’t afford to skate, who loves to skate. It isn’t hard to get boards and skate shit, but I remember being that kid who would give anything to get that shit. All those sponsors were about the people behind them, once they were gone, I felt I was gone.
So you work full time, are unsponsored and 35 years old. I heard the other day at the Plaza you did a pop shuv front crook in the middle of the ledge. What keeps you skating at that level after all these years?
Ya now I run Livestock in Gastown, I wish I could say I still skate a lot, but I won’t. Mentally when I go skate, especially with dudes like Wherry, Spenny, Twa, Bryon and Paul Spencer, they keep you thinking you're on that level, even tho I’m sure I’m not. Also when you just feel the trick that much, and wanna do it that much, usually you do it. Even if I don’t skate that much, you know when I do……it’s on!
It always seems like you try to take care of the people around you, whether it's through hooking up product or giving advice about things you've been through. Do you feel a responsibility as an older guy in the scene/community to try and help it grow?
I think with all the fuck ups I made, and seen how certain people have been successful I just try and look out for my boys! Sometimes it’s just busting balls to see dudes like Robbie light it up. I get hella stoked when my boys make things happen!
What advice would you give to the kids who want to skate for many more years to come?
Skating is a lifestyle! Either you’re in it or you not. If you’re into it, it’s your life.
Do you pay attention to skate videos, magazines and websites anymore?
Not too much, once in a while something will catch my attention. I always get hyped to see Canadian killers!
Who's skating are you feeling right now in Canada?
All my boys! McD and his whole Green Apple Team, Wherry, Spenny, Trav, Twa, Mc Court, Vince and Trep is nuts!
I asked you this in your first interview and I'm interested if anything has changed: "So if there's a Micky in your freezer, and you have one drink, what are the chances of you not having another drink?"
Pretty sure that hasn’t changed at all. It just doesn’t happen as much these days.
Last words and thank yous?
Don’t get married! Thanks Matt and Garry! I have the dopest Fam ever! Thanks Benny!
Wednesday, July 14. 2010
Dave Willis Interview
Zoo York Flow Rider, Dave Willis was just in Vancouver for a small BC Tour. Read below to see what he had to say about his trip, Vancouver and Canada in general.- Ben
You were just in Vancouver. What were you doing there?
Yeah, we were on this two day Zoo York trip where we did demos, BBQs and signings. It was Chaz, Westgate, Robbie (Pellack), (Dan) Redmond and myself.
What did you think of the city?
Vancouver is an amazing place. It has a similar downtown area as NYC, but it also has areas where you feel like you're away from the city. Everyone is so friendly and easy going, and I also loved the fact that you can see mountains covered with snow during the summer! Somewhere where I would love to go back to!
How is Vancouver different from NYC?
Well, Vancouver has a city area just like NYC; Downtown, Chinatown and even drove through Cracktown. I noticed almost every ledge in downtown was knobbed. That's a downgrade from NYC for sure!
Are people in Van different from New Yorkers?
In NYC, it seems everyone is worrying about themselves and if you try to communicate with someone there is some tension for no reason. In Vancouver, I noticed everyone was really easy going and friendly. When I was out there, I met a lot of cool people down at The Plaza. All the locals are mad cool; Spencer, Wade, Twa, Robbie, Dan and a bunch of other people down there were showing love for sure! Canadian n*ggaz get it poppin for real!
What did you think of The Plaza?
The Plaza is the Truth!!! I had so much fun skating that place. It's cool that the city did that for the area, giving kids a place to skate and let them do what they want down there without problems. I would definitely be so psyched to grow up skating that place!
Other than demos and signings, what else did you you guys get up to?
We had a lot of fun doing things around the city. We got some good sushi, went bowling, and we went to a night club. That was a pretty funny because I've never been in one of those places before and it was a funny ass night
Did you get a chance to kick it with the Canadian ZOO riders, Redmond and Robbie, much?
Yeah for sure, those dudes are really cool. I got along with them really well. COME DOWN TO NYC YO!
You were in Montreal last summer for your first trip to Canada. I know you had a blast there. How did this trip compare?
This trip was really fun because it was my first time actually doing a demo or even a signing, it felt good being productive skating and repping ZOO out in Canada. It was really fun for sure, I only wish I was there longer!
What do you think of the Canadian skate scene? Who are your favourite skaters from up there?
The Canadian skate scene is pretty sick, a lot of really good skaters come out of Canada for sure. OG's from Canada are sick like Mark Appleyard, McCrank, & Rick Howard and a lot of new shredders like Spencer and Jamie Tancowny. It just sucks that the boards are so expensive out there. It must be so hard growing up buying boards there.
Now that the trip is done, what's next for you?
A lot of skating and filming and shooting photo's for ZOO, I want to try and take a trip out to PA or Boston.
Last Words?
Thanks to the shops we did signings at and all the rad people we met in Vancouver. Can't wait to be back!
Monday, July 5. 2010
Dan Redmond Check Up Interview
Interview: Oleynik
It's been just over a year since Dan Redmond's first skatenewspot interview. I caught up with the man on Canada's birthday to discuss tech tricks, the upcoming Zoo York BC Tour and what the rest of 2010 has in store for him. Read the Dan Redmond Check Up interview below.
What's up Dan? How are things?
Hey Ben, not much is up today. Just trying to be patriotic and having a beer for Canada's birthday. Hoping for better weather so I can go push around.
It's been a year since your last interview? What's new? What's changed?
Dang, a year already! That flew by faster than I would have liked. Some people say "with time everything changes, whether you like it or not", but in my case, not much has changed. I like to keep things simple. Skate every day, sleep every night. Was able to do a little traveling in between work the past year which was nice. But now I have the traveling bug and want to keep going.
So a few years back you moved to Vancouver from Penticton. What keeps you in Van?
Yeah, the move from my hometown to Vancouver was a good choice in steps. Van is a great place regardless of this summers crappy weather. It is a hot spot for skating here in which it is a good place for me to be. Plus it's where all my friends are and it doesn't really snow here in the winters which is amazing!
So I know you love skating ledges and mannies and those can be pretty hard to find in Van. So my question is, why the hell are you never at the Plaza?!
If you like skating park ledges and park mannies, it is a great place. I grew up skating grimmy spots my whole life so that's where I like to kick it, in the streets rather than at a park. You will see me at the Plaza more often now that Zoo is throwing a demo there, so I have to get used to the place ha ha. But other than that, I'm never there.
I know you love Hot Spot. Do you still go there often.
Hot Spot is tight, I mean it has perfect ledges and good ground aside from all the crackers up there shooting up, but that adds for stories. Plus, I can wax the crap outta those ledges and no one can complain! It's a place where you can think of a ledge trick, go there and learn it.
You're pretty into fixing up spots. Have you been doing that lately?
Like I said, I like skating grimmy spots, so in order to skate some of the spots you have to put a little work in. I have to thank Rich Odam for that though, because he has all the tools needed to fix a spot perfectly. We have some hidden gems ha ha.
You're a super mellow guy. You try really hard tricks. Do you every spaz out, focus your shit?
I wouldn't say hard tricks, but more or less tricks you don't see very often. It is really rare to see me focus a board, my board's not the one making me not land the trick, it's myself. So if I get to that point I will usually throw a curse out there and smoke a spliff then get back at it. Plus, I always need boards and breaking them just hinders that.
What are your 5 favourite tricks?
1) Kickflips
2) No grab backside 360 kickflip in vert (t.hawk 411vm issue #9)
3) Switch backside flip manny
4) No Complys
5) Nollie Three Shuvs
Who's killing it in Van right now?
Anyone who is out skating and having fun!
You just were on a trip to New York City. How was the trip?
Best trip of my life so far. I felt at home the minute I got there, aside from the air quality compared to Van City. The only worry we had while out there was sleeping, because we all just wanted to keep skating the streets in which I have been dreaming about since 96/97 when my parents bought me my first board. Our days consisted of waking up around 8:30-9am grabbing some breakfast at the local bakery, and since we had no one showing us around, we would just hop onto the train and just lurk for spots throughout Manhattan till dark where we would grab brews and head back to the hostel. That was our every day routine, got the little kid back into me ha ha.
List me 5 memorable things about NYC?
1) Dallas BBQ
2) Marble Ledges everywhere
3) Pizza
4) The women
5) The fact there wasn't someone asking you every minute for some change or a cigarette (like Vancouver).
So this week you're doing a small BC tour with Zoo York. What's the schedule like?
I'm pretty hyped to be apart of it all! Wednesday, July 7th, Westgate, Chaz, Dave Willis and Robbie will be coming by Underworld for a couple hours to hang out and sign autographs, then at 6PM we'll be putting on a demo and BBQ with Underworld at the Plaza. Then on Thursday, the crew will be heading to Coastal Riders and the Guilford Bowl in Surrey for another BBQ and demo. I want to see everyone out there having fun with the Zoo crew!
You just finished a sick Ambush Interview in Kingshit, are you working on anything else skate wise right now?
I just finished a little interview for SBC magazine which will be dropping next issue. Other than that, I always keep my ears and eyes open for opportunities!
What does the rest of 2010 have in store for Dan Redmond?
Not to sure, take it day by day. Just skate as much as possible, travel as much as I can and hopefully get back out to the Big Apple before the year ends. But for now, cheers for Canada's birthday!
Thursday, June 3. 2010
RODNEY TORRES RETROSPECTIVE
Photo: Cronan
With the release of his Zoo York Master Division deck last week, it only seemed right to sit down with OG New Yorker, Rodney Torres and discuss his past, present and future. Read the Rodney Torres Retrospective interview below.
What's up Rodney? How are things?
What's up Ben? Things are good.
So you were born and raised in Queens, NYC. What was it like growing up there? What were you into as a kid?
It was fun growing up in Queens. I had a lot of family and friends there that I spent time with. Queens has always been a world of its own, separate from everything around it. I've always appreciated its diversity and have watched it change over time for the better. Before I got into skateboarding as a kid I was into baseball, and I played catcher for the Flushing little league for a few years. I'd like to consider those years, the 'glory years' haha.
How did you get into skating?
I seemed to always have a skateboard growing up, but got really into it when I was 11 years old, and saw a guy from my neighborhood ollie up a curb. That same day he taught me how to do it on his board. After that I begged my parents to buy me a 'real' skateboard, and after that, I would basically be on my block or go to F.M.P to practice with friends almost everyday.
You were coming up in a time that some would consider the "NYC glory days". Skating the Banks all day, Astor Place at night. What were those times like? What would a typical day be like back then?
A typical day for me would be basically what you said, skating the banks all day, everyday. Skating from there to Astor Pl to meet up with more people to skate. Then skate up to midtown and break night. The city was literally our playground. Those times were so epic because NYC was good and dangerous. An adventure around every corner. It was so raw, that’s what made it epic. Nobody gave a fuck and we did whatever we wanted, skated anywhere and anything we could. A lot of the best times weren't ever really documented either, you just had to be there.
Who did you roll with?
Rodney Cooper, Geo Moya, Airto Jackson and Mike Wright were the main guys I would roll with around that time, but I basically skated with everyone, like I do today.
You had a 411 part back in the day? How was filming back then?
I think it was in 1995 when we started filming for the 411 part. RB Umali was always the dude filming the heads back in day and he approached me about working on that Wheels of Fortune for 411. I don’t think filming has changed much over the years, the only thing that's changed is the equipment.
60/40 Buttas!
Haha, I was getting some flow from them around that time so I had to give them a shout out.
How did you get on Rhythm and what was it like riding for them?
Rhythm was my first real experience riding for a big company. I was put on a while after the Genesis video came out when they were revamping their team and I felt fortunate to be a part of that company. It was definitely my favorite company at that time and I appreciate everything they did for me while I rode for them. Felix Arguelles is the man.
You had a Rhythm ad with a frontblunt backside flip on the Pyramid Ledges. That seems really advanced for the time. How did that trick come about?
I don’t know, I practiced that trick at the south street seaport spot called "newport" for a while before I stepped up to the plate at Pyramid ledges. I got worked trying it that day.
Where's the footage?
Well, I didn’t really like the way I landed it. Maybe I'll do it again soon.
What are some other tricks you've seen people do on the Pyramid Ledges that stand out?
Charles Lamb nollie heel tail slid it back in the days and then re-filmed it years later. I'm basically following in his footsteps. That dude is mad good.
Yes, he definitely is. You rode for Osiris back in the day when they got a lot of heat on the East. Did people treat you differently because you were on? What was it like to ride for them?
Nah, I didn’t really get too much heat or treated any differently because I rode for them. I just couldn’t find someone that wanted to film me for the Osiris video 'The Storm'. Riding for them was actually really good. I mean, there were some ups and downs, but overall I have no complaints and was psyched to be a part of the team at that time. I repped it to the fullest and was fortunate enough to see a lot of the world riding a skateboard because of Osiris.
How did it end?
They followed the trends and went from fresh to hesh, and I guess I didn’t fit the bill. I was healing from an injury around that time so I was more focused on healing & getting back on the board. No hard feelings. I appreciate the time I had with Osiris.
Back in the day you really were pushing the level of tech skating people were bringing to handrails. Stuff like 3 flip lip and kickflip crook. When you were trying that stuff, had you seen people do those tricks on rails before?
I think I might have seen Caine Gayle in a Europe contest video or maybe it was a Transword video doing a kickflip crook on a little rail in a skatepark. That’s about it. Props to Caine.
What do you think of what kids are doing these days?
I think kids are just taking skateboarding on its natural course and progressing along with it. Every next generation has to push the limits of what was paved.
So you grew up skating Flushings, what are some tricks that you've seen there that stand out? What are some of the best memories?
I've seen so many things go down at F.M.P. I can’t really single any out, everyone's killed it. I can't say I have a personal favorite trick. What I can say is, just showing up at the park, meeting up with the homies and skating all day were some of the best times of my life.
Had you ever done a switch tre crook before the one you did on the step up in that Transworld sequence?
No, it was just something I felt I could do, something I thought of to try that day and it worked out. That was the first day of an Osiris trip that started in New York. I was stoked because I knew it would be almost all demos after that.
You're heavily involved in the NYC skateboard scene with judging contests, documenting skate events for Fuel, etc. Why do you make such an effort to stay so involved?
Skateboarding has given me a lot and it’s only right for me to give back whichever way I can. That's it, period.
The Maloof Cup is coming to Queens and you helped create the course/plaza. After the event, the plaza is staying there. What does that mean for Queens and NYC skaters in general?
It means that it's going to help advance the skill level of the next generation of kids in Queens and NYC by providing an amazing plaza to train on. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible; Bill Minadeo of California Skate Parks, Paula at Open Road, NYC Parks Department and, of course, Joe Maloof. I can't wait until after the contest to have the plaza all to myself to skate haha.
Who are some kids in NYC who's skating you're hyped on?
There are a lot of kids killing it right now, Dave Willis and Kevin Tierney are on the come up for sure.
What skaters from Canada are you hyped on?
That’s a big list, Canada has always bred amazing skateboarders. I'll name a few off the top; Rick Howard, Colin McKay, Tony Ferguson, Rick McCrank & Wade Desarmo. The Canadian Zoo kids, Dan Redmond and Robbie Pellack are killing it right now too. I was stoked on Robbie's check out I saw on the ZOO blog.
Who do you ride for currently?
Zoo York, DVS, In4mation, Rockstar Bearings and my boy Rob Campbell's new wheel company, Savage Urethane.
You were just added to the Master Division on ZOO YORK and given a Master deck. How did that come about?
Since I was a kid, Zoo York has always been the company I've wanted to be a part of and I'm psyched to be on the program. Within this past year, Seamus (ZOO Brand Manager) approached me about the Master Division and I was honored to be a part of it.
What do you think of your deck? What is the art based on?
It’s based on the 1939 World's Fair which was held at F.M.P. I was intrigued by the memorabilia in the park's museum and was inspired by the central symbols from the 1939 Worlds Fair. The Perisphere and Trylon, which existed on the same grounds where the Unisphere stands now, as well as the opening slogan "Dawn of a New Day" and "The World of Tomorrow". I gotta give props to Brian Mackin (Zoo Art Director) for the dope design.
What's next for you?
The sky's the limit.
Last words. Thank yous?
I want to thank everyone who's every helped me out in skateboarding, my family for their support, my girlfriend for all her help, and you for this interview. Thank you.
For more on Rodney, check out his website.
Tuesday, May 4. 2010
THE RYAN DECENZO INTERVIEW
Portrait: Mikendo
A few years ago I used to work at The Plaza in Vancouver. I had to work early on Saturday mornings and I remember you and your brother would sometimes be the first two people there. Do you guys still get up early and go skating?
Yeah, we usually always get up early on the weekends because that’s when the good street skating goes down, there’s more spots that are less of a bust and we just try and get some shit done. Get a whole day of skating in you know!
Back then I remember days where you guys started the day at The Plaza, then would go street skating and filming all day and then end off skating North Delta park at night. What was it that motivated you to skate so much?
I don’t know man, I just loved skating and couldn’t get enough. I loved learning new tricks and taking em to the streets and then going back to the park or whatever and trying to learn more new shit! Just spending all day on my board, cuz that’s how you get good.
What do your days consist of now?
Same thing pretty much, but times four busyness! Always linking up all sorts of skate sessions with all sorts of people all over or planning the next trip to somewhere to shred! Cleaning up the skate house after gettin home from a trip.
Some of the things you are definitely known for are jumping down big shit and doing really innovative tricks on handrails. What is the process you go through before you try something like say hardflip Hollywood high or impossible noseblunt a handrail?
I just make sure I’ve been on my board for a while that day and that I’m not having a shit day skating. And you just gotta go through the motions, like ollie that shit before or just do some warm up tricks to feel it out. Then you just gotta know you got it, visualize it and confidence.
Are you scared when you try that type of stuff?
Not scared on gaps, but I've been skating gaps all my life. Rails are definitely sketchier, but you gotta have confidence too!
How did you go about the nollie down El Toro? Was it something you wanted to do for a while?
I just knew that if I could ollie it, I could nollie it. And I ollied it first try that day, and was like, alright I’m just gonna go a whole lot faster and hit that nose.
I read in Transworld that it took you 10 tries. Did you have to take a couple days off after that?
I think I flew to Montreal the next day and skated around the city with my homies! My legs were a little sore, but it wasn't as bad as a 3 hour session on a 10 stair haha.
I remember times at the Plaza where I would see you or your brother learn a trick, then leave for an hour and come back with a line filmed at Hotspot or some other downtown spot with the trick you just learned in it? You're currently filming for the new Transworld video. Does filming still come that easy? Do you feel more pressure these days?
It’s definitely not like that anymore. Tricks are harder these days and the level is higher. I’m always learning tricks, but it’s always different kinds of shit. Sometimes I just get stoked on different weird spots and doing a basic trick. There’s some pressure, but I try to not let it get to me.
How is your Transworld part coming along?
It’s coming along. I think I was the last person they asked to film a part, but I already had a bit of footage chillin.
So you have a pro model out now, had a Thrasher cover with Scooter, killed it in your Globe part, just had interviews in Thrasher and Transworld. How has your life changed since the days of being a Delta skate rat?
Alot more traveling and contests, but I don’t mind the contests. Gotta shoot ads and be on point to keep the sponsors happy too!
Where have you got to travel over the last few years? What places did you like the best?
I like Spain, Madrid. I went to the Philippines and that was amazing and a culture shock! Tahiti is straight up paradise and I think there’s only one gap on the whole island! haha
Who are the skaters in Canada that you're feeling right now?
There are mad skaters! Spencer Hamilton (if he’s even in Canada right now), John Hanlon, Magnus Hanson, Hashbrown, JS Lapierre, Antoine Asselin, Charles Rivard, and Hugo Balek.
You live in Huntington Beach, CA presently. What do you miss about Canada?
I miss the mountains and the fresh air on first thought. But I miss all the homies and the skateparks! And those crackin Canadian beers!
Do you still skate flat ground all the time? What is it that you love about flat?
I skate flatground on the regular. I love playing skate and just trying to get all the tricks on lock because flatground is essential and always steezy!
One time at the Plaza we had the age old discussion of if skating was more of an art or sport. What do you think now? Why?
It’s a mix of both because when you skate you have to be creative in what you choose to do, what obstacles and what tricks. But it’s also a sport kinda because you need to keep your body in shape in order to keep on going and progressing.
Congratulations on everything, Ryan. Any last words and thank yous?
Thanks to Ben for this interview, all my sponsors and everyone who has supported my shredding!
Thursday, April 1. 2010
RICH ODAM PHOTO FEATURE
Justin Allain, BS Smith, Penticton
This shot is from a trip we did to the interior of BC with a crew from the Underworld shop. It was hotter than hell for the most part of everyday, this little corner store had a lot of refreshments and ice cream, also had this bench I noticed on the side of it. I thought the backdrop was kinda cool for a photo. A couple people tried a few different things and Justin came out with the shot for the article, sunglasses included.
Chris Connolly, Feeble, Vancouver
Here’s a rarity, this hotel located exactly a block away from my apartment was being demolished and turned into an “urban park”. Not sure who, but someone found out that the pool at the hotel was skateable and since Vancouver is such a small city, word spread faster than Sars.
Chris Connolly told me about this pool, so we went to check it out, this thing was pretty gnarly, those walls were mostly vert and the shallow end drop in was steep. I’ve always wanted to shoot at abandoned pools, they ooze character, this was the first one I ever shot.
Evan Bourque, 50-50, Kamloops
I met Evan thru Matt Berger in his hometown of Kamloops, BC. He took me to this rail and said he had already done it 3 different times but never shot a photo of it, he said he’d do it again to get a photo of it. This is the type of spot most people skate once and are extremely glad it’s over once they ride away. The stair count on this rail is 14, what you can’t see is the 3 stairs behind the top of the 14 set where the top of the rail starts at flat, this is basically a flat down flat kink, so gnarly, and the landing was a hand shredder. After Evan was done again with this rail and we had the shot, Berger thought it would be “fun” to also 50-50 the monster; He sacked on his first try about half way down the rail, pretty awesome, not so “fun” no more.
John Hanlon, Kickflip BS Tailslide, London, ON
I love going to this hubba in London, mainly because hubbas are my favourite thing to shoot, but this one just looks so good, the stone wall on it gives it a better look than the plain gray concrete you mostly see coming from California spots.
This was part of a Darkstar trip we did to Toronto, John had actually already landed this trick a few months prior, but with no photographer, so we went back to get it recorded on a film still.
Hayden Kelly, Crooks, Vancouver
This hubba in Vancouver is located at an apartment building full of people who hate anyone that goes skateboarding near this thing. The whole time you’re setting up you’re wondering how long you have until someone comes out and kicks you out, so you try to set up quick enough to make the most of it. Every try at the hubba is one more roll up you lose, every not landed try one try less to get your trick, but once you roll away from your trick, you feel like you’ve beat the spot and the angry neighbors that reside there, it’s a pretty great feeling.
Hayden is always a good time to go out shoot with, whether he’s skating a spot or not he’s always there making you laugh and having a good time.
Jordan Hoffart, Bluntslide, Phoenix, AZ
Jordan is one of my favourite guys to go shoot with, mainly ‘cos he’s a homie, like a brother, always looking out for you and always ready to get down. Arizona is pretty awesome, the spots are endless, there’s so many different great places to eat and in winter the day temperature is usually over 20c.
This hubba is somewhere in the downtown area, we managed to borrow a generator from some homies and lit this thing up sometime past midnight, night sessions are usually good because there isn’t that many people roaming the streets, it’s quiet, but bright ass lights are a heat score for cops driving around. It was good leaving this spot without getting rolled on by Phoenix’s finest.
Paul Machnau, Gap Nosegrind, Toronto
Machnau is pretty much one of the gnarliest guys out there, he doesn’t fuck around when it comes to some spots and you can feel the tension when you’re anywhere near there, when he skates, people are quiet and watch. At this kink gap, I was trying to find another angle not to have the filmer in my shot and kept moving around and adjusting my lights, until Paul kinda snapped and said there was too much movement going on, understandably, I was a distraction to his focus. Paul’s a true professional in the whole sense of the word, the way he handles himself and approaches things, you can tell he isn’t fucking around and only expects the same from everyone else involved.
Magnus Hanson, FS Feeble, Vancouver
One day driving around with Machnau and Magnus we came across this rail at a church on a weekday. The approach to it is nothing less than unconventional, you can either do a hard carve into it or drop down a set of 3-4 stairs to approach it at an straighter angle. Magnus opted to kickflip the 4 set to set up for this fs feeble, normally this angle would make me shit my pants, but when you’re working with guys like Magnus you tend to have a lot more trust in their abilities which let’s you get in the sketchy zone with a bit more ease.
Matt Berger, FS Bluntslide, Kamloops
This spot is inside a Native Reserve, so let’s say, unless you have an inside connection, chances are you’re not welcomed anywhere near this area. Thankfully Berger’s homie Jesse was the connection we needed to have full access to this zone. This concrete floor is a small section surrounded by the dirt grounds in the area, it has a ton of random objects and huge machines that people store there, we pretty much had access to a anything we found, so we built this bum to out rail and Berger went to town on it. It’s pretty fun making skate spots out of random objects.
Dan Redmond, BS Nosebluntslide, Penticton
Another photo from our Underworld trip to the interior of BC, this is in Redmond’s hometown of Penticton, the walls at this spot are all covered in graffiti giving it an interesting look. I liked how the bench almost gets lost with the wall behind it, you gotta take a second to find the edges of the bench and separate it from the background. Redmond dropped a couple different tech tricks on this thing, but was kind enough to help me get this shot I had pictured in my head.
Ryan Decenzo, BS Smith, Toronto
Living in Toronto I always wanted to shoot at this hubba, I remember seeing the first few photos of it and telling myself that’s a spot I wanna shoot at. I was still fairly “green” and only the best guys would go there to shoot with the gnar skaters at the time, convincing someone to get a trick at this hubba was no easy task. A few years later, we did the Darkstar trip; I thought to myself this was my chance to have someone do a trick on the hubba. After a quick trip to assess the spot and bondo the crack at the top step, the guys were very egger to come back to it. The day after all I could think about was this hubba, but the previous day the guys had skated very hard as usual and felt the symptoms of their achievements in their rubber legs. Near the end of the day, after skating another full day, we went back to check the hubba again and see if anyone would get inspired to hit it. Ryan stepped up to it and said he had a trick for it, no convincing needed, he came out with this bs smith, checked another spot on my list.
Spencer Hamilton, Nollie Heel, Vancouver
Shooting with Spenny is a treat, He usually lands his trick before I finish setting up my lights, so when he’s eyeing out something, you know you don’t have that much time to think about a set up and you gotta make sure that whatever angle you chose and whatever camera you chose it better be the right one for the job because shit is going to go down quick.
Tuesday, March 2. 2010
CHECK UP: IAN TWA
It's been just over 2 years since Ian's first skatenewspot interview was posted. Well, he's been up to a lot since then. Lucky for us he took the time out of his busy schedule while in San Diego to sit down and answer some questions about what he's been up to lately. -Ben
So we did your first skatenewspot interview in January 2008. You were living in Vancouver at the Fuckshop and were about to go to Barcelona for a few months. Where do you live now and what's your living situation like?
Well, for the past week I've been living on the road in hotels or people’s couches. But for the last year I've been living in a loft in Gastown with my girl. It’s super tight, we got a nice place, my cat can go outside in this big gated off courtyard. There is a lot of junkies around, but our apartment is safe. Gastown is two blocks from the Plaza and this restaurant I work at, so it's no coincidence I moved there. I spend a lot of days a week there and if I have to work at 5 or 6 at night I don't wanna waste time getting to and from the park. Right now I can have work at 6 but can still go skate the park all day, go home shower and be at work on time, come home chill with the homies or my lady.
Over the past two years, you have traveled a bunch. What cities did you visit and what did you think of them? How were the trips?
So good man. Traveling on skate trips is the shit. You get some homies together, buy some plane tickets or fill up a van and get er done. You’re away from your comfort zone and skating is the first thing on your mind when you wake up. In the last few years I’ve been back to Barcelona only once which sucks because Barcy is so sick. Last year I spent a couple months down in SF skating the Bay Area. SF is so sick. I got some homies for life in that city, Frasier and Geordie Gillies. And they let me come down and crash. They’re ill dudes and they don’t want me sitting around the house all day, so it keeps me motivated to get out and get some shit done. I also made a trip to NYC and all I can really say is two weeks in New York is no where near enough.
After your trip to SF, you got a check out in Transworld. How did that come about?
Like I mentioned before, I got some real good friends that have been holding down the spot in The Sunset San Francisco for a couple years. It's called the Ice Box because the house is super old and there isn't a real heating system, so at night it can get a little chilly. I ended up meeting Justin Williams who does Force Trucks. Him and Greg at Empire (RIP) helped me a lot. They would roll me out to Sacramento and just introduce me to people and take me on sessions. I hooked up with this photographer, Dave Chami and he was super down to go shoot some photos. I rolled with him and my friend Geordie and we went out to get some shit without a filmer. I ended up going out with Dave quit a bit in the next couple weeks, he was always down to let me get in his whip and jump in on a session. That's who shot the photo and that's who got it run, thanks again Dave it was greatly appreciated.
Last year you started to ride for Affiliate Skateboards. Tell us a bit about Affiliate and how you got on?
Affiliate has been around for a long time. It’s a board company that's based out of Chicago. One of the owners is a sales rep for Diamond. Again, thank you Greg and Justin who definitely are responsible for introducing me to Reggie. Reg and I talked on the phone a bunch sending emails. I sent him a bunch of footy and photo's I was getting at the time. He showed it to the fam and then he started sending me boards. I hooked up with Reg in person before I bounced SF and just last month the whole crew hooked up in LA. Affiliate's fam is Neen Williams, Derrick Wilson, Dax Miller, Andre Colbert and myself.
What does 2010 hold for Ian Twa? Any trips planned. Any plans in general?
Well, right now I am on a road trip to San Diego. It’s been pretty tight so far. After that, I’m gonna go back to Van to work for the Olympics. There is a pretty good two week window to make some good money. Hopefully I get out to NYC to visit your gigantic self. And this summer I’m gonna travel, skate my ass off and live it up.
Raw Twa 2010 from Deer Head on Vimeo.
