How and where did you get into skating?

My eldest brother skated a bit in like 89-90 so that was my first introduction to it, but it was around the end of 1995 when I was at Wellington High School that I really started to get into skating, that Christmas I got my first setup.

How’d you first get sponsored?

I used to skate Kilbirnie Recreation Centre every Friday night coz they had skate only sessions. You’d often see most of the welly skate scene in attendance, it was a rad. Kinda a bit lawless too you could do whatever you wanted with the obstacles, we used to make some pretty crazy setups. But anyway they would put on these comps there sometimes and I came 3rd once an I got sponsored by ‘The Boardroom’ skate shop following that. But I don’t really think it was because of that comp that I got sponsored, I was a relentless shop lurker haha. I would go there everyday after school to watch skate videos and just nerd out. I think Craig (Harris)(shop owner) and the team could just see I was hooked for life so I guess they just put me on the team haha.

What’s the story behind your The Lost Tapes video part?

I jus had a bunch footage I’d filmed with one of the homies John Waddell (shout out John), id broken my wrist and scored about 2 months off work with acc and it was summer as-well so we was in skate mode haha. But yeah it wasn’t for anything in particular and I think it sat on his computer a nothing happened with it, hence the ‘lost’ bit. But yea I think a year or so later Chey put it on YouTube for ABC. It’s not really a proper part though it’s kinda funny.

What’s your favourite video part of yours?

My Mate Geoff Duncan Made a crew video in like 1997 called “All the gear and no idea” we all had parts in that, it was pretty cool wish I still had a copy. But maybe The first ALC video ‘Night Train’ becuace it was my first proper video part, everyone worked pretty hard on that video. That or ‘Video Wack’ & ‘return of the wack coz I loved skating and filming with Kezza (Kieran Hodges).

Favourite video part of all time?

Probably can’t say really, to much good stuff out there to jus have one favourite. But some of them would be Andrew Reynolds – ‘The End’, Josh Kalis -Timecode, Tom Penny – Menikmati, Furby – Via Marina, Atwaun Dixon – Baker 3.

Any advice for skaters wanted to go pro?

I don’t know if I’m the one to ask, but jus skate hard i guess. Things will happen for you if you dedicate yourself to something.

What’s the heaviest trick you’ve landed?

I don’t know really, all the memories just blend together after a while. I can’t think of anything specific right now sorry.

Pick one: steez, gnar, or tech?

Haha, I don’t think I could just simplify down like that haha. Probably steez.

Favourite trick?

Probably Backside Tailslide.

Favourite obstacle?

Ledges.

Best kind of ledge?

Different ledges for different tricks. Can’t go wrong with concrete though.

How bad was Oscar Graham at skating?

If u mean bad like badass then he bad alright, front krk T col gunna ain’t no joke!

Best up n coming kiwi skaters?

Theo Clark, Lenard Tjada, Matt Markland, Madi Weston, Andrew Norton.

What was skating for ABC like?

So rad, was a bit of a dream come true getting the chance to ride for Chey Ataria. I looked up to the bro a lot comming up. The whole team was awesome too, did some mean roadys with those homies.

Who’s your favourite filmer to work with?

Probably Kezza, made everything pretty fun good memories skating a filming with him and the Palmerston North homies.

Any final words to skaters?

Skate or don’t, there is no try.