photos and interview by Joel Meinholz
Why did you move back to Miami?
Well I moved out of Florida at 26. Did LA for four years, straight into three years in NYC. Covid there made me feel a little uneasy. There were some upsides to it skate-wise, but by that point I was already thinking about moving. Time moves so fast there, I could blink and easily have been there ten years. Maybe I feel like I overstayed my welcome in LA and wanted to leave NYC on a high note, like, still loving it. I left Halloween 2021 with pretty much no plan. Floated around for a few months and Miami just made sense. There’s just so much potential here. I saw the skate scene growing again and wanted to be a part of that.
Are you working on a Huf part?
I am. A few months after moving to Miami, I started filming with Zoogie (Justin Stout). It’s been so refreshing to be back in a familiar place. Finding new spots, re-finding old spots, just doing what we gotta do to make something shitty not be shitty. Working with what we have.
How has it been skating with the Andrew heads and seeing the new generation?
It’s been awesome, I didn’t know them before moving here, I was just familiar with them through Andrew edits. Besides you, I’m the old guy in the crew. I think we all push each other in different ways and it works well. It’s so cool seeing the younger generation do their thing and represent where they’re from. Florida has bred some wild skaters through the years, and let’s just say that it’s not going to stop.
You’ve been on sessions with really amazing people. Any that stand out?
Dylan impossible 50-50 cheesecake hubba was special to see in person. Countless Mark (Gonzales) sessions. Skated SF with Busenitz a good amount. Ellisa, Ramondetta, Keith at Federal banks. Watched a BA sesh at hubba hideout. There’s so many. Good times…
How would you describe your approach to skateboarding?
That’s a good question. I really just try and do tricks that would feel cool to land. Then I think what spot would best suit that trick visually, and be possible on. Ideas kind of just pop into my head every once in a while. It could be at four in the morning, or it could be standing there staring at the spot. But generally I just try and do what feels right and could translate on camera to the viewer as fun and natural. Also I really like when a trick is just done well. It could be almost anything, as long as it’s done right.
You’ve been part of some remarkable projects and collaborations. Is there one that holds a special place in your heart?
Gnaughty was a pretty special project to be a part of. I may not have realized it then, but later on down the line I did. Not only was the crew amazing, but the format of how we made the video was so different at the time. That seemed to be a super serious, higher budget style of filming era for skate videos. I think they chose the perfect ingredients to make a video that is actually relatable for people that watch it. We just passed around digi cams with taped on little fisheyes. We did less serious tricks at less serious spots. It was just fun so then it was fun to watch.
Your skateboarding career has taken you to various parts of the world. Any locations or skate spots that have left a lasting impression on you?
My first time out of the country was to Istanbul, Turkey. We somehow talked Keith (Hufnagel) into flying me, Plunkett, and a photographer there to shoot a lookbook of the next drop of clothing. It was insane. We ended up staying in a cave hotel in Cappadocia at one point of the trip. I guess the rock is soft enough to where the whole town is carved into these rock formations and there are hot air balloons floating all over the sky. There were zero obligations, we just went to this beautiful place and drank and walked around wearing new Huf gear. Since then, skating has taken me all over the world. I am beyond grateful for the places I’ve gotten to visit.
Are there any specific artists, musicians, or fashion trends that inspire you?
I guess I’m pretty inspired by the shoegaze genre of music. The swirly distortion, the reverb. Everything is kind of washed together making one dreamlike noise. It’s kind of hard to put into words.
Do you have any other passions or hobbies that you enjoy pursuing?
I like to collect and sell vintage clothing. It’s kind of just a fun side thing I’ve been doing for a few years. I’ll pop into some local thrift stores once or twice a week. Sometimes I’ll go to the Goodwill bins, where you’re digging through huge piles of unsorted and probably unwashed clothes that you pay for by weight. So when I’m not skating, I find myself doing that. It’s like a never ending treasure hunt. I think it’s good to let the mind get away from skating a healthy amount. It’s perfect for days that my body is just too sore to skate. Also, there are days that I’ll map out a few thrift stores way out in some area that I’ve never been to which is a good way to look for new skate spots. I’ve definitely found a few things on those days so it’s a win win.
What’s the best part of your day?
Lately the best part of my day is the time that I give myself to just relax. Like time for me before I really start my day. Whether it’s listening to a chapter of an audiobook, doing some breathwork, microdosing mushrooms, riding my bike, meditating, swimming at the beach, or making a smoothie. I’ve just been trying to set aside time for me. I’m 35 and feel like these things help me function better day to day. Whatever it takes to keep me skating.
