INTERVIEW
BY: www.jasonlecras.com
How long have you been skating? What got you into skateboarding?
I've been skating ever since I could remember. 1985 I had a little
Blue banana board. I learned to ride by running and jumping on the
board. Everytime I tried I would take it a further distance, until one
day I took it all the way across the sidewalk on the side of the house
I grew up at. Skating started in the basement, and in the garage
before we took out in the streets, around people. Are big brother had
a pink steve caballero with a sick griptape job. He surfed. By the
time we started skating we were on our own.
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11 years old - Driveway Skating.. |
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Has skateboarding led you to any other interesting?
Yes, it has lead me to make music, recorded tracks in studios. It
motivates me to continue to see the progression the way skateboarding
has been. It didn't help me get a girlfriend and talk to the ladies.
My interest in woman was a whole different skill I learned myself.
Spotlights in a couple Xbox commercials. For the most part it has led
me this point in time, because I have never stopped to take a break.
Skating is my main focus.
Do you think of skating as an art, a sport, or something else?
Late 70's Skateparks were destroyed and closed due to new laws and
lack of insurance. In the 80's and early nineties, we didn't have
skateparks to go to , so in the streets, suburbs, in the ity and
anywhere we skated. We were labeled as outcast, a public nuisance and
looked down upon. Were 9 years old when we first got arrested for
skating. We were the youngest out a group of 10 and mom was pissed!
Not at us but the cops!
It's cool to see more respect for skating as a sport opposed to as a
crime. East coast of the US are far behind schedule of how much skate parks are developing in other parts of the country. Not enough older skaters taking action to write proposals, to meet with counsilman. For any sport to be played and produce the best results requires a training grounds. A place that will empower anyone to reach their highest potential, and provide safety for the community.
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Street Leauge -Newark, New Jersey 2011. Press Release |
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What inspires you ? Does skateboarding inspire your creative work?
Watching how other work creatively and unique. I've always been a fan of Isamu Noguchi work. He created miniture models of playgrounds, that were constructed in relation to the stars. Alot of his sketches were unfinished, and not realized. Through a Skater Eye, We see angles, we see texture. I would say we look at things differently. The Work of Abdul Mati Klarwein is a major inspiration. One of those artist I've been fortunate to meet, through my good friend, skater, musician, Paulo Diaz.
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| Paulo "ALI" Diaz - Barcelona, Spain 2002. |
Do you think there are similarities between playing music and skating?
Music is a balance just as skating is. They both have become a way of life. A way to overcome obstacles, and view the world. Music addresses frustrations, sorrow, romance, experience and self-expression through song. Skating is more of an action sport, that matured through the years. Bring my experience through skating doesn't compare to what takes place today. I could say that my style and they way I go about skating influences youth today.. The whole mechanics and how far we have taking skating is unbelievable. I'm blown away when you see a skate park pop up in the ruffest part of town through out the country. places like: Watts, Compton, Venice beach, Queens, Bronx, Newark, and etc.. Places that need skateboarding more than ever is a new chapter in my skateboard experience.. I have much appreciation and respect for the skaters that continue to support the positive impact it has on communities through out the world.
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| Ron Chatman - Venice Beach, California 2011 |
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Can you think of a friend who's been greatly affected by skateboarding?
Paulo Diaz and my brother Mike Cardona.
How has skating affected your life? How you do you think you'd be different if you never started?
Skateboarding has many aspects and definitions to many. It's been a
way of life for me. It's an everyday struggle to continue to do
something. Pain is my job. I falle n get back up. As many times people
tell me to get a real job turn me down and say no, I don't give up
until someone say yes. My sponsors help to get by. When I turned 30 I had a Son. And he's my main responsibility. I love and support him as much as I could. I want him to have everything my dad gave me. Much more than cloths, food, and shelter, but morals, mannors, and wisdom. If only people, city counsels where I live see the benefits
skateboarding has on the youth. Skate Parks would be up, and people
would have higher educations, and more jobs
Last Words:
"The best promoter is Self -Promotion. Slow motion is better than No motion"
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