When did skateboarding change your life?
When I was about 16, almost 17 years old. I had been skating before a little bit when I was 12 and 13 but never got hooked all the way through. It was all the partying and hanging out that we did with my friends later and all the fun we had that kept me going.
What is your favorite trick and why?
It’s still the base ones – just ollies, kickflips, 50-50s. It’s great to do them, you can just enjoy the flow of skateboarding and feel the vibes without having to focus too much on the trick.
With skateboarding in the Olympics, do you think skateboarding can prostitute itself or lose the true essence?
Sure, after being in the German Olympic team since 2017 I think it’s going to change things. But I don’t mind skateboarding being a mix of athletics and creative performance – it’s always creative in away. And there’s always going to be assholes in athletics, on the other hand – it’s not like skateboarding wasn’t a good bit broken and defeated before the Olympics. The spectrum is just becoming broader, people will have to figure out for themselves what kind of skateboarding is their thing.
When was the first time you won a skateboard contest & how did you feel?
Probably in 2010 or so, and sure it made me feel good. It felt a bit strange though, too, because I don’t think you can judge skateboarding really, it doesn’t quite apply.
Skateboarding and music are very connected to each other, what do you like to listen to while skateboarding?
All kinds of music, ranging from electro, to rock, to punk, to country…depends on the vibes. I listen to everything.
Do you prefer to shred in the streets or skateparks? Why?
The street is the best. There’s nothing like a good street spot. Skateparks – DIY, please. Right now I do skate a lot in skateparks and it’s nice that it’s all so smooth, but it never feels as good and genuinely satisfactory as skating a spot. Getting a new trick in the park feels like adding it to a list, it’s automatic, and putting a check on it. I’m not into “machine skating“ although it looks pretty great also. It wears off though. Authentic energetic performance doesn’t. Getting some in the street always has something rather rough and unique about it, like tearing down the veil to get the bigger picture.
Have you ever thought of giving up skateboarding? Why?
Commerce, marketing, contests – the politics and media of skateboarding. It’s not easy to separate the real thing from the consumerist shell sometimes. It’s disconcerting to realize that skateboarding much too often is no different than any corrupt system. Then again, that’s not true all the way through, but only if you focus on the superficial things. It still can estrange me quite a bit from time to time.
What inspires you to shred and evolve every day? Fame or just fun?
I just want to be out there on my board. It gives back a lot, I get to challenge myself anew every time a step foot on it. I haven’t found anything like it so far, that would combine the personal challenge, focus, coordination, mindset, creativity, performance…and so on. It’s still fascinating and super rewarding.
What’s your daily routine before you go shred?
Well, I do yoga every morning and work out, plus I care lots about eating healthy. But apart from that, there’s no set routine. Feel the vibes, all about it.
Any inspiring words you want to tell the next generation of skaters?
Make skateboarding your own and don’t imitate it. Get rid of all the cliches and stereotypes, they’re overrated and there are better alternatives out there. Don’t sell yourself, it’s not worth it. If you do drugs, take them responsibly. And life itself is still beautiful. – Anton
