What got you into skateboarding?
When I was about 10 years old, my dad brought home a skateboard that was left behind at one of his rental properties. It was a late 80’s Rob Roskopp board with no nose and fat wheels. I learned how to push and get comfortable on it before my Dad bought me and my brother mini logo completes the following Christmas. Started to get more serious around 12/13.
What is your skate scene like in your city?
The skate scene in the St. Pete/Tampa Bay area has been thriving lately. It is still Hella hot, all the spots are spread far around the city, and traffic can be terrible. The only place you can really skate around from spot to spot is downtown. And even then, the bust factor of the spots is high unless it is a Sunday or late at night. Regardless, we are still making stuff happen. Our crew (Westside Skate shop) is out at least twice a week to grab any bit of the streets we can. With, new parks keep popping up and we are constantly seeking out new spots.
What is you to go trick to start your sesh?
Flat ground Tre Flip
Do you feel skateboarding has changed your life? How?
Absolutely. Skateboarding has given me freedom to explore and create new experiences in my life. Whether it be a new trick, seeking out a new spot, or making friends and connections with fellow skateboarders. It has also taught me to persevere. No civilian is ever going to understand the mental and physical battles we willingly put ourselves through just for a five second clip.
What pro skater inspires your skateboarding?
Currently: Wade Desarmo, Miles Silva’s, Tom Asta, & TJ Rogers.
Of all time: Eric Koston, Marc Johnson, Danny Montoya, & Rodney Mullen
Do you prefer watching skate videos on social media or buying it? Why?
I would much more prefer to have a physical copy of a skate video. I grew up with two VHS players making our own tapes that would have 4-5 skate videos on one VHS tape and we would just watch on repeat. I recently purchased Zero’s Damn It All, Toy Machine’s Programming Injection, & Marshall Heath’s Hot Plate video to add to my collection. Social media has its perks, but it has become so saturated that it is hard to get stoked from some footage you see on this glowing rectangle ten inches away from your face. Then you scroll down and see the next ridiculous trick seconds later. Social media has done a lot to change our perception of skateboarding…but I still prefer to stick to skating’s roots.
What is the gnarliest trick you have ever done? How did you feel when you landed it?
I have a few tricks in my upcoming Westside part I am enormously proud of, so it is hard to pick just one. The feeling of relief and pure joy that comes from landing a trick clean is unlike any other. Cannot buy that.
Tell us little bit about your local skate shop & what they do for skateboard scene?
Westside Skate shop has been in the Tampa Bay scene for over 20 years. Owned by former New Deal Pro John Montesi – We have got two locations: One in Tarpon Springs and One in Largo. We regularly host games of SKATE, best trick contests, sidewalk sales, and video premieres for the locals. We have been filming for a full-length video with our new shop Filmer Ryan Hodgdon (Big Brute) set to release early 2021. We also regularly drop Web edits (Westside Wednesdays) on our YouTube channel and Our Filmer also has his own side project (@bigbrand__) dropping some new original merch very soon.
What is your daily routine before you go shred?
2/3 cups of Coffee while watching some skate videos to get hyped. Then grab a Clif Bar and/or Banana, meet the homies at St. Pete park to warm up before hitting the streets. Spark a spliff & get in Brute’s car
Any inspiring words you want to tell the next generation of skaters?
Do not let girls, partying, cars, or anything else distract you from what is important. These are the best times of your life. Enjoy every minute of it, work hard, and be excellent to each other.
I also want to shout out Westside Skate shop & Ryan Hodgdon for all they do for the scene, Jordan at Cloud 9 Galleries for blessing me with smoking essentials, and Don Brown at éS for keeping the best shoes on my feet. & thank you, True Skateboard Mag, for everything you do for skateboarding.
