What got you into skateboarding?
I had a Gamecube and bought Tony Hawk Underground 2 for it cause I already thought skating was kinda cool. Played and enjoyed the game a lot. Also, my older brother was in a band and two of the guys playing in it where skateboarders. I saw them skate and it looked fun and cool, I also kinda looked up to them so, I started trying it on this Hot Wheels board I had, they also helped me learn a couple of things when starting out, from there on I just liked it a lot and kept doing it.
What is your skate scene like in your city?
I live in Amsterdam, the city is not that big but the skatescene is pretty big. The spot selection is a bit more unusual then in other cities, because of the crustyness and old stuff everywhere, I think this is what makes some people not like it to skate, and makes some other people really love it to skate. I also work at the indoor skatepark where I give skateboard lessons, I think we are for sure a part in introducing a lot of new kids and even adults to skateboarding in the area, which makes me feel the scene here just keeps growing. Overall I’d say the scene is pretty chill here, lots of nice and diverse people here that skate.
What is you to go trick to start your sesh?
I always start with my flatground No Comply tricks, and a lot of back boardslides.
Do you feel skateboarding has changed your life? How?
I for sure believe it did affect my life quite a lot. I can be very obsessive with stuff, so when I started skating I became totally obsessed with it, and I still kinda am haha. A lot of decisions I make turn out to be kinda centered around skateboarding. I want to do it as much as I can and just really really enjoy doing it, this is why I also chose to work as a skateboard teacher to help and teach others the joy of skateboarding, and just be able to do it a lot. If I wouldn’t skate I think I’d probably be into making music or art or something like that, I feel like the creativity and freedom are a huge part of what got me so into skating and could also be what would get me into those activities. But I think personality wise I’d probably be kind of the same vibe I guess, also if I wouldn’t skate.
What pro skater inspires your skateboarding?
A lot of older gen guys, since I’m very interested in old school tricks and style such as Natas Kaupas, Ray Barbee, Matt Hensley, Neil Blender, Todd Falcon, Jason Adams, Louie Barletta, Rodney Mullen, Mike V and Mark Gonzales. But also some other creative guys I like to watch such as Gou Miyagi, Andy Anderson, Ben Koppl, Donovan Rice, I also watch some freestyle guys such as Kevin Harris, Mike Osterman. I’m kind of a skatenerd, I take a lot of inspiration from a whole lot of different skateboarders, the list will be too long haha.
Do you prefer watching skate videos on social media or buying it? Why?
I mostly look at skateboarding on social media, mostly Instagram. I also do dig for Old video’s such as the old Bones Brigade stuff, but on YouTube tho. I don’t buy dvd’s or something, I don’t even own a tv, just my macbook and phone so that’d be just kinda pointless for me haha.
What is the gnarliest trick you have ever done? How did you feel when you landed it?
Not sure if I can label my tricks as ‘gnarly’ haha, not really a danger big stuff kind of guy, most of my stuff is very low impact, slappys and no comply tricks and such. I did definetly land a lot of tricks I’m hyped on, but mostly would just be more technical and weird, I did a kickflip boardslide heelflip out a while ago, that was kinda funny, also most hyped on some No Comply tricks on flatground I made up I think.
Tell us little bit about your local skate shop & what they do for skateboard scene?
There are multiple skateshops here in the city, I’d say Ben-G probably does most for the local Amsterdam scene tho. They also made the indoor skatepark happen, which gives me work and supplies us with a dry place to skate since it rains a lot here. I think they might also sponsor or host some events every now and then, and just always work to keep the scene alive.
What is your daily routine before you go shred?
I wake up pretty early, shower, eat breakfast, chill with my cat and probably have to work at the skateboardschool, depends on the day. If I am done I might go get a nice coffee and chill for a bit, probably either with my girlfriend of just by myself, or I take a little walk around the city or something. Then I’ll probably go skate somewhere after, and hope someone tags along, or I’ll just skate by myself or with whoever I come across at the spot or park.
Any inspiring words you want to tell the next generation of skaters?
Don’t let others tell you what you can and can’t do on a skateboard or in other aspects of life, find your own style and your own way of enjoying skating and all other things you do to enjoy. Be a chill person, don’t be too angry at everything, then others will probably also be like that towards you.
