PODCASTS

Aaron Herrington Recounts His Steps in Becoming an Icon

Published

3 years ago

October 16, 2020

Skate Newswire

Aaron Herrington represents a long and illustrious lineage in our culture. Escaping small-town U.S.A. to chase big-city dreams is a time-honored tradition in skateboarding. Like so many before him, Herrington gravitated to San Francisco at the tail end of the aughts to immerse himself in the downtown scene during the height of the HUF D.B.C. era.

Fresh out of high school, the Corvallis, Oregon native found himself living in weekly hotels in the Tenderloin, and working odd jobs to get by while honing his craft on the streets synonymous with names like Carroll, Hufnagel, and Busenitz. This period laid the groundwork for everything that would come after.

A couple of years later during a trip to New York, Brian DeLaTorre convinced Herrington that a pre-GX1000 San Francisco was dead, and N.Y. was where things were happening. It’s hard to leave the city, period. Even harder when someone is convincing you to stay. He made a pivotal decision at Tompkins that afternoon, which would alter his career trajectory permanently.

Once planted in N.Y., Herrington was scouted by Josh Stewart. This landed him the opening part in Static IV, and an introduction to Pontus Alv. He would ultimately turn pro for Polar in 2014, a couple of months before the video dropped. Static and Polar cemented Herrington’s status as an underground king. They were also the start of his ongoing collaboration with Theories of Atlantis, which has endured and evolved over the past decade.

When the streets are watching, going mainstream is inevitable. Herrington was introduced by Converse not long after turning pro; colorways and international tours ensued. The kid from Corvallis had officially arrived as one of the world’s premier professional skaters. Unfortunately, there was a dark side that came with that. Herrington has publicly addressed issues with alcoholism and mental health that he battled during those years, which resulted in him going sober at the end of 2017.

Soon after, he unveiled Chrystie NYC—his clothing imprint with Pep Kim. The brand has dropped two videos, and developed a formidable team over the past couple of years. And the design aesthetic speaks for itself. With his leg cast from an injury this past August freshly removed, Aaron dropped by the studio for a two-hour conversation with Lee that covers all of this and more during Episode 20 of Mission Statement.

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PODCASTS

Felipe Nunes Shares His Story in ‘Hawk vs. Wolf’ Podcast

Published

2 days ago

November 29, 2023

Skate Newswire

Felipe Nunes talked about his journey in skateboarding and how he shredded against all odds in this episode of the Hawk vs. Wolf podcast.

Felipe lost his legs in a train accident at the age of six. At twelve years old, he used skateboards to get around because his prosthetic legs were poorly made.

Later on, he discovered that skateboarding can be more than a means of transportation. He started learning some tricks and joining skate contests.

The skate community was very welcoming to Felipe, making him realize that he had found his place in his life.

PODCASTS

Andy Jenkins Reflects on His Career on ‘The Nine Club’

Published

4 weeks ago

November 2, 2023

Skate Newswire

In this episode of “The Nine Club“, Andy Jenkins talked about his role as the art director for the newly established Girl Skateboards, the discovery of Evan Hecox, his departure from and subsequent return to Girl Skateboards after a seven-year hiatus, and the remarkable 30-year journey of Girl Skateboards, among various other topics.

Andy also became a global art director for Element Skateboards from 2017 to 2020 before returning to Girl. He also founded several magazines.

PODCASTS

Mami Tezuka on Monster Energy’s ‘Unleashed’ Podcast

Published

1 month ago

November 1, 2023

Skate Newswire

Mami Tezuka joined The Dingo, Danny, and Brittney in Monster Energy’s “Unleashed” podcast. Hear the story behind the two-time X Games medalist’s rise to fame and pro status above.

Mami Tezuka was raised with skateboarding in her blood: At the age of three, she first stepped on a skateboard in her native Shiga, Japan, encouraged by her father’s passion for skateboarding.

Riding skateparks and homemade ramps, Tezuka quickly built a trick repertoire beyond her age – a powerful mix of high airs and technical liptricks with a healthy dose of classic throwback moves.

On the contest circuit, this unique riding style makes Tezuka an international podium threat: Accolades include two X Games medals (one silver, one bronze) in Women’s Skateboard Park and third place in the Vans Park Series World Championships.

Additionally, Tezuka continues to push the boundaries of women’s park skating in critically acclaimed video parts for sponsors such as Blood Wizard Skateboards and Monster Energy.

Growing up in Shiga, Japan, Mami Tezuka was surrounded by skateboarding since birth. Her father, Manabu Tezuka, was part of the early generation of Japanese halfpipe skateboarders.

At age three, Mami started riding and continued the family legacy. “Me and my mom started skateboarding together. My dad already skated. I remember going to a skatepark where a lot of skaters were grinding that pool coping. And I loved that sound! Then I wanted to grind like that. It’s my first impression of skating.”

Regarding terrain, Tezuka started to focus on transition skating because her local skatepark provided plenty of ramps. “Actually, there are not that many street spots around my area. Then I just wanted to skate the quarterpipes and miniramps with older skater dudes. Because they were so cool. I was really into grinding!”

Channeling diverse influences, Tezuka cultivated a powerful mixture of new school and classic tricks. She also has no fear when it comes to tackling burly concrete bowls and DIY spots. “Am I afraid of speed? I’m not! I’m down to take a slam!”

The international competition scene was in for a shakeup when Tezuka claimed silver in Women’s Skateboard Park at X Games 2021. In 2022, she maintained her momentum by earning bronze as her second medal at X Games Chiba in 2022.

Looking ahead, Tezuka is focused on qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the Skateboard Park discipline.

“After the Olympics, skateboarding got really big in Japan. And so many cities are now trying to build skateparks, and many people are getting into it,” said Tezuka, adding: “You have to get enough points to be in the top three spots to qualify for your country. We started earlier this year, and now we’re keeping it going.”

Since relocating to Oceanside, California, this year, Tezuka has spent lots of time sessioning with Monster Energy teammate and skateboard icon Lizzie Armanto, one of her idols.

“She has done a lot for women’s skateboarding. I grew up watching her video parts. And see her in the Vans Park Series and all those contests. There were not many girls that could skate like her around me in Japan. So she was so inspiring. Now I’m skating with her and sharing time with her; it’s crazy.”

Courtesy of Monster Energy