1st Active Interview... A year ago

Welcome to California.How long have you been here?

I moved here about 3 months ago and just stayed with Geoff (Rowley) for a bit, but I just recently moved in with Rodrigo TX and these two other dudes from Las Vegas. I guess Arto (Saari) and Alex Moule used to live here.                             

So you are a Flip pro now...

Yeah! I was hyped when Geoff (Rowley) wanted me on the team. I really think what the Flip team does so amazing. We have a heavy video to film for and I am going to skate as hard as I can to break off a dope part.

Why should people buy your board?

Because Flip is the best, my shape is good, and it will make  you skate better.

Have you made any purchases lately?

I bought a Bob Marley poster and another poster of some hot girl. I don’t even know who the girl is, I just know that she’s hot. I also bought a new Iron Maiden CD. I’d love to buy a car but the fact is that I’ve never even been behind the wheel of a car in my life.

Who are your favorite skateboarders?

Eric Koston, Geoff Rowley, Steve Berra, Heath Kirchart, Andrew Reynolds, Kenny Anderson, and Jeremy Wray.

Any advice to the kids out there?

Don’t even think about being sponsored. Just skate hard, live clean, and let everything else fall into place.

2nd Active Interview

Do you feel a sense of relief no that the Flip video is done and premiere?

I’m definitely clear of the mind that the video is done and that everybody got full parts. But now I got Circa calling me saying it’s time to do a Circa video.

Will you feel as much pressure for that video?

Yeah. I’m not going to make just one good part and then mediocre the next. You always try to make the next part better than the last one. There’s always stress on the brain.

Do you feel your Flip part was your first real part that you put a lot into?

Definitely. It was the first part that I went out all the time and set goals for. It was the first video part that I worked hard on and took seriously. I’m satisfied, but there’s always more that you can do you know.

Yeah. I know you guys traveled all over for the video...where was your favorite place? Probably Spain; they’ve got a lot of good stuff over there.Or Japan.

Why do you like Japan so much?

It’s just a culture shock; it’s so different than North America. Not to mention the women.

Do Japanese women love you as much as you love them?

I’ts hard tosay. I love them a whole lot.

How did you guys keep a tight lid on the video?

A little bit had to do with not telling anybody what we did. Cause, you need to have the premier and you want people to be surprised. Basically, the Flip team traveled a lot together and when they get stuff they don’t get back home and talk about it. Arto’s the kind of guy that will fakie flip off a building and then he’ll just sit Down. He doesn’t care;he won’t even let out a smile.

How was working with Fred?

Fred’s the man, he films so amazing. Fred’s the man, just don’t piss him off.

The Transworld awards were last night and you were voted Rookie of the Yea, how does that feel?

Pretty good. I know there were  a lot of gnarly rookies last year, so I definitely feel privileged that they picked me. Pretty psyched on that.

Do your parents tell you to stop skateboarding and go to college?

No my moms real supportive. Didn’t you my Thrasher interview She wrote it. Yeah, she lives in the Kaman Islands, but she buys all the magazines and stuff. My brother and me go rent these bikes. The Island is only like 25 miles long, so you can bike from side to side. Nothing to skate out there, though.

You’re Canadia. How long can you stay in the US?

I have a 3-year work visa. Then when that’s up, you just apply for another one.

Do you see yourself becoming a US citizen?

Yes. That’s another thing, I want to become a US citizen. I want to buy a house somewhere around here. Not in Huntington Beach though. I’m only here cause Flip is here. Maybe one of the surrounding cities that are so ‘brah-doggy’.

Your shoe coming out soon?

Yeah. I just designed a whole bunch of new colors like tan, brown. I’m psyched on my new batch of colors. The shoe skates really good. I tried to make a shoe just like that 201 that I always wore. No air bubble, so you could feel your board; it just grips good. I took Circa a couple pair of shoes like the first Marc Johnsons with the M on the side, and the Koston’s 1. I just said that these were shoes I liked to skate in, and we should try to make something that’s similar feeling to these.

Do you have anything that inspires you?

Definitely music, people, skateboarding. All the positive things that I like. I think I’m gonna start editing my own parts. That’s getting me psyched to; I’m getting a computer and editing system. I’m gonna tell Jamie Thomas on it, editing my own stuff. Also, just skating with Geoff you know, I always want to go out and put together the best video part I can. 

What did Geoff end up naming his ferret?

Lady Vera.

Why do you think people are scared to drive with you?

Their not. Are they! Well Arto cause he’s sabotaging me, he put the bad rap out.

How many times did you take the driving test?

Once! I drive pretty responsibly. I don’t really mess around in cars since I had a car crash and nearly died.

How was it different growing up in skateboarding in Canada?

There’s just a lot more skaters in California. It seems like out here skateboarding is something you do instead of all the sports you would do in Canada like Baseball, Football, and Basketball. Instead of all that kids just go skateboarding here. There’re a lot of skaters in Canada but if you skate you’re definitely different. I’m glad I grew up skating in Canada though. I don’t know I’d be where I’m at if I didn’t. If I grew up here I might have bleach blond hair and sit down by the beach.

Why are you always so happy?

Am I! I think it’s cause my mom and my brother were cool and they both support me. You don’t have long to live, you know. I just try to overlook the stupid s#!t.

Have you had any  encounters with crazy fans?

Not so bad. There’s this one girl that keeps drawing pictures. This Japanese girl that draws pictures of everybody. She has a photo book. It’s Japanese animation style with big heads, and she drew one of me and put it on a board.She does that for everybody though, so I don’t know if that counts. I saw her at the Flip premier in Japan, and then I saw her at the Transworld awards last night. I see her at every happening.

What’s next?

The Circa video. Me and Muska dog...chilling, chilling. I’m really looking forward to this Circa video. I’m definitely psyched on Circa and I look forward to seeing a Colt Cannon part, and all that. I’m curious on how they’re gonna edit it. Muska’s been filming lately too; he just drove cross-country to film. He was on his way to New York but he stopped all over and filmed. I also want to work on a second shoe. Hopefully, somewhere in the mix, get a wife.