What got you into skateboarding?
My neighbor had a skateboard and that was the first time I saw a skateboard. I was 5 years old at the time and I would go over his house and we would butt board down his driveway. Then skateboarding followed me. The bug did not set in until my I went to the skate shop and saw what real skateboarding was and I wanted to know more. The shop owner (Tony) was telling me about a team he had called the Stony Brook night rollers and found out my father was part of that. That same month I upgraded from Walmart Nash special to a blank complete. I saw the x games and saw the nine hundred. Since then, skateboarding has been a fixation in my life.
What is your skate scene like in your city?
The scene is very strange. At one point there a strong united front where we had a shred sess with everyone on the island. The unity in the community events we would set up ramps in a parking garage and have fifty plus people show up. The community was at its strongest to the point that the berrics showed up. It was cool while it lasted but egos again set, and everyone wanted to join the cause of of ” I am the community leader” instead of giving thanks and credit to the people that really worked their asses off to bring the community together instead of the segregated ego driven scene we have now. Long island has been a home for exceptionally talented pros and skaters. Everyone needs to be humble, take stock, and appreciate what the island has. Instead of shitting on the place you eat and sleep.
What is you to go trick to start your sesh?
Power slides and pushing. I am happy I can still skateboard.
Do you feel skateboarding has changed your life? How?
Skateboarding has changed my life on multiple levels. I grew up in a divorced family both my parents were incredibly young. Throughout my teenage years I have been surrounded by bullying, harassment, and death. I have lost family members and friends and was dealing with a lot of anger and depression. Skateboarding gave me that outlet to express myself and release those feelings. Skateboarding inspired my art and creative process. I have also made lifelong friends through skateboarding.
Later on, I developed bad arthritis in both my knees, was in multiple car accidents, and when my daughter was born, I broke my back. I left skateboarding because I was in a lot of pain. Some days It just hurt to walk. I never stopped thinking about skating, and I kept saying only if I could do this again for years. My daughter at an early age saw videos and she took an interest in it. During COVID I closed up my film company, I was in a failing relationship, and I was not happy. I had the idea of putting my artwork on skateboards and that year I started Wayward Soul.
After that I really started to believe in myself again and now, I am back on a board, Happier than ever, and I get to share my first love with my true love being my daughter. I may not be the best skater in the world, but I can say I am one of the happiest.
What pro skater inspires your skateboarding?
The most influential pros for me are, Ragdoll, Patrick Melcher, Dan Cates, Adelmo Jr., And Jason Adams. But there are too many to name. Special shout out to Abe dubin (orange man)
Do you prefer watching skate videos on social media or buying it? Why?
Both, I just love skateboarding.
What is the gnarliest trick you have ever done? How did you feel when you landed it?
Honestly never felt anything I did was gnarly. I have always skated super crust and odd spots. I guess the layback boardslide down Blubba or doing a Wallride in the Brooklyn Banks. That was back in 2007 so it was a good feeling.
Tell us little bit about your local skate shop & what they do for skateboard scene?
We have a few shops on long island but the one that has made the most impact would be Sweet Impact. Jim and Jayson are really great people. When you walk into the shop, they always have a smile, and they are the only shop on long island that truly supports local brands. They also put together a solid shop team. Jim and Jayson really have really pushed culture by stocking re-issues and collector items in the shop that the new generation has never seen. They also put on free skate clinics which they teach skateboarding and give out lightly uses and old stock to the the kids in the community. In order to get them on the right path. As a shop owner Jim has created a family vibe and continues to bring early skateboarding culture to the new generations. I mean I do not know any other shop that has original Hook-ups decks hanging on their walls.
What is your daily routine before you go shred?
My daily routine is chaos. I never have a set routine. It is goes take care of my daughter, work, brand work, get an hour in or I am having a front yard session with my kid, and then ice bath because I am old, and everything hurts. Exceedingly rare these days that I can get a full day session in.
Any inspiring words you want to tell the next generation of skaters?
Stay humble and do not act like skateboarding owes you anything. You owe everything to skateboarding.
