INTERVIEWS
How Kenny Reed Became Myanmar’s Olympic Skate Coach
Kenny Reed had a non-traditional skate career. Instead of being location-based, he traveled the world extensively in search of untapped terrain. His urban safaris still stand out as shining examples of how skateboarding can take you on journeys into the unknown. Reed is continuing that tradition post pro skateboarding. He breaks down how he became Myanmar’s (the small country in Asia formally known as Burma) Olympic Skateboarding coach during his new interview with The Bunt.
I was living in Barcelona for a long time. Then, I moved back to Upstate New York in 2014 during the winter. I started teaching kindergarten at a school nearby where my parents live. I was into that. I did that for three or four years. And then, this opportunity came. Somebody hit me up and said, “Hey do you want to try this thing, coaching a skateboarding team?” I didn’t know if that was something that would work. It was never something that I ever felt that I needed as a skater. But at the same time, I didn’t want to totally dismiss it. And think it was something that I couldn’t do, or figure out a way to make it work. Not in a traditional coaching way. But in a way that would fit the needs of the skaters there.
I decided that I would take the next year off, and try it. It was a good opportunity. I’m glad I did it. But it was tricky to figure out what that would look like. It incorporated a lot of different things—not just coaching someone, and teaching them how to do tricks. I also looked at what would best help me progress as a skater when I was in that position. The skaters there, their history is brand new. They haven’t been exposed to cross-cultural exchanges with other skaters in other countries. Myanmar was all but practically closed down to foreigners and anyone coming to visit until 2012. And it didn’t have internet until 2012, either.
Listen to the entire episode above. The bit about Myanmar starts at 10:56.
INTERVIEWS
Justin Sommer Featured in Santa Cruz’s True Grit
Follow the journey of German skateboarding prodigy Justin Sommer in this episode of True Grit, a docu-series produced by Santa Cruz Skateboards.
Born to young parents, he was practically raised in the streets of Berlin where he got introduced to skateboarding. Justin learned the ropes from his older friends.
He also fell into wayward life when he was younger. But with the help of his genuine friends, he was able to steer in the right direction and has now made a successful career in skateboarding.
INTERVIEWS
Kelly Bird Opens Up in Latest The Nine Club Episode
Nike SB Global Brand Manager Kelly Bird opens up about growing up in Houston, getting into skateboarding, becoming a pro, and eventually transitioning to the industry side of skateboarding.
Before he became the global brand manager of Nike SB, Kelly worked for DC Shoes and Lakai Footwear.
INTERVIEWS
Catch Up with Mariah Duran in the Latest Nine Club Episode
Pro skater Mariah Duran has always been into sports as a young kid, she revealed in the latest episode of The Nine Club.
The goofy-footed skater from Albuquerque, New Mexico got introduced to skateboarding when she was around 10. Initially, she would borrow his brother’s board, but her mom eventually bought her a board.
She was also into softball when she was younger and basketball when she was in high school. Later on, she shifted her focus to skateboarding.
Mariah won the USA Skateboarding National Championships Womens Street in 2019, and 2021. She placed 4th in the most recent competition.
She is also a two-time X Games gold medalist for Women’s Street Skateboarding.
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