Words and illustration by Zach Moeller
A lot of people hear “tour guide” and instantly think of visor hats, walking shoes, sightseeing buses, and plenty of other goofy stuff. But the more I’ve thought about it, I’ve realized that skateboarding and this side of my life go hand in hand.
It all comes down to style. Anyone can learn to kickflip, but no one can do it like Cyrus. This also goes for giving tours – it’s not very hard to memorize a script and point out landmarks, but creating an unforgettable experience for someone is a talent. Just like skaters have their own unique way of doing things on the board, every guide has their own little tricks for making their tours special. Even the smallest technique can make a huge difference.
To do either you have to be comfortable in the streets. Knowing where you’re at, how to navigate your surroundings, and how to adapt is critical. When skating you need to know where spots are, what the terrain is like, if somewhere is a bust, or if it’s sketchy. Likewise, when giving a tour you need to be familiar with your route and able to get from point A to B seamlessly. Whether it is dealing with clients or strangers in the streets, guides have to be ready for anything, and nothing is harder than convincing a family from suburban Indiana that the guy taking a shit on the sidewalk is nothing to pay attention to.
Both worlds are also heavily impacted by who you know – just like having friends in the right places can lead you to getting some homie flow or access to some well kept spots, being cool with people around the city when giving tours can lead to nice perks. When your guests ask, it pays to have a favorite spot for a slice, cup of coffee, or place to grab a beer. If you bring guests through often enough, you’ll start to notice that business owners will take care of you.
Most importantly, both skateboarding and giving tours make you really appreciate where you are. With tours, you get to see your city through the eyes of someone else, and if you do your job right you share in the genuine excitement, interest, and wonder of your guests. Skating has this same effect, reminding you to be grateful for where you are, whether it’s the spot you’re skating, the city you’re in, or just the realization that in that moment you’re doing something you love.
