We did a Ramps Out Back with Zach a while ago when you guys started this thing. But let’s hear it from you. How did it start?

The first quarter pipe was in 2008. It was a little quarter pipe in the middle of that first bowl corner. We did that on my birthday. All the homies were there. After that, we built a quarter pipe across from there. That was funded by a NJ/Spitfire thing, I think we had to like make a video. Then after that, we didn’t really do anything for a while. We were thinking about redoing that quarter pipe or redoing the bowl corner but then we were like fuck it, we should just extend it.

What was the main reason for deciding to add on?

It was definitely to give myself something to do while there was nothing to do. Everything shut down and I couldn’t even work. It was basically because of quarantine and trying to stay sane.

What did you have to do to get everything ready?

I just took my time. My house, to me, is a place where I can test my skills. It doesn’t have to be perfect or to anyone else’s standards so I can just do what I want and see how it comes out. I feel like it worked out pretty well. I just leveled the ground. Andy’s had this tractor at my house for like a year and I got to use that. I leveled the ground and pitched it so the water was flowing the right way, just framed it out.

How did you get the concrete done?

It was because everyone came. It was the best thing ever. I’m so happy. Sloan and Jesse definitely are the main dudes, I was in touch with them. 5th pocket came through and made it skatepark smooth. And everyone that came through.

What happened to that ledge?

The ledge got cut out cause it was in the way. I planned it shitty. If I could redo the ramp, I would, but I learned a lot. I never built anything more than one obstacle at a time or in such a small space. So it was a new experience.

You took the ledge out and what did you do?

We made a little volcano, it’s cool. We just mixed it with bags. I have a little concrete mixer and Eric, Neil, Zach, and I did it, just four of us. We framed it out and I asked Sloan and Jesse for some tips and they hooked it up, cause I had never done a volcano. I just send them pictures and they’ll tell me how to fix it.

What would you say is the biggest lesson from this build?

Probably the space, and just having more experience. Overall, everything. Getting the grade right so water flows, the finishing on the concrete…I could watch people do the thing and then use some of the tools that they have and shit. I definitely want to make some floats. So I have some better tools and shit, for the next project.

Tell me about the hempcrete you did on your shed.

I started doing that because the passion I have for hemp is beyond words. I just try to get hands-on with it as much as I can. I did a few workshops, went to a few demos and stuff with hempcrete. Eventually I found where I can get some material and bought some. I was like, I got this shed I can try it on there. I only did two walls, but maybe I’ll do the whole shed or build something else. I’ve been wanting to build a tiny house on a trailer or something.

What other plans do you have for the ramps at your house now?

Just extending it a little bit in the back where the quarter pipe is on the chimney, like make it a little wider, make a deck around the corner, make more like a bowl up top, keeping making corners up there.