Where are you from? how did you get into blading?

I reside in Alameda, California, right next to Oakland. I started skating back in late 1993 when I saw one of my friend’s rollerblading after he got some skates for Christmas. I tried his skates and I was hooked! I can go into the details of how I started aggressive skating, but it’s not that important…let’s just say the day I first put on skates, was the start of my life completely changing.

For anyone that has been living under a rock all these years, what exactly is JSF? and what does it mean to you?

It’s pretty simple Matt… JSF is a Northern California skate crew that has been around since 1999. We started the crew name because Videogroove was making a video most of you all know as “Battle My Crew” or “VG 12” and Dave Paine gave Jared Magers and us bay area guys an opportunity to make a section for the video.

On top of that, we were put in the “Masters Division” because Dave Paine already knew that Nor Cal holds it down super hard so there was no reason for our crew to be put under the “New School Division”. So the friends and I thought of a crew name that would be in the video and we came up with JSF, otherwise known as Juiced Sucka Foos. [...]

Full Erick Garcia Interview.

Dominic Sagona posted his interview from Clac Magazine #1 (french + english language). Thanks Oli Benet. The pictures used in the interview are available in good quality at Powerhouse.

Brian Aragon & friends will represent inline skating at the X-Games (schedule was updated) ; there will be a skating demo on Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 in July 2011. Check his Be-mag interview by Dave Bloom (through Danielle).

Note: Rollerblading is not back into the US X-Games, this is a promo + demo only. Featuring Brian Aragon, Dre Powell, Alex Broskow, Jon Julio, Chris Haffey, Jeff Stockwell, Julian Bah, Franky Morales & more. Thanks Anon.

Recently, we (Dave Bloom through Danielle) had a chance to sit down with Brian Aragon in Encinitas, CA and discuss his involvement with rollerblading in the X-Games this year.

He has been working diligently with X-mini towards the goal of bringing skating back into an X-Games spotlight and gaining what many feel is some long overdue publicity. X-mini, a company who has sponsored events like the Chaz Sands Invitational, FISE and Winterclash, approached Brian in Shanghai at Asian X-Games to discuss the possibility of getting him and a team involved to some capacity with X-Games 17.

Without hesitation this idea quickly got rolling into what could be the next big break for rollerblading.

Vimeo Link | Article.

Previously: Inline Skating reappearance at X-Games with X-Mini.

Revolution Team Rider Casey McFarland is someone who is always on the move.

He is constantly traveling, wether it’s to film for a weekend in Cali, or spend 3 months in South America, it’s non-stop. Lately, he’s been working for the Chicago Cubs Baseball team, where we were able to sit down with him at his work, and film his “On The Spot.”

Filmed & edited by Jon Jenkins.

Dominic Sagona is an icon for our sport, he has shaped blading into what it is today, and the best part is, he is still going strong.

Dominic is one of our good friends, he recently moved to Arizona, and we’re honored to have him be a part of our skate scene. Dominic keeps things simple in his life, he focuses on his skating, music, and family.

Photo: Be-Mag.

Vinny talks about his career in cinematography, how he managed to get his name out when he started, sheds light onto key ingredients of good camera work, his work ethics and also draws a detailed picture of what he’s up to next.

His enthusiasm and high standards of quality reflect in his work and are important components of his success.

Vinny, you own a successful video production company. When did you found the company and what is the field you specialize in?

Imperial Production was founded by myself and Ivan Narez and was started in 2005. [...]

What is your advice to somebody who wants to choose a career in videography? Do they need to attend a school and have a degree in the field to get good jobs? How does one get a good videographer?

I don’t think you need to attend school to make a career in videography. Going to school can’t teach you creativity. The bottom line is if you really love it and have a passion for anything it will show in your work.

To make a career out of it you need to be a hustler and let people know who you are. You need to make people pay attention to you. Just like anything else in life, there are plenty of talented people out there but if you sit and don’t share your talent for the world to see your not going to go anywhere.

Just keep it moving and make people pay attention to what you’re doing and you will stay busy. [...]

Rolling Artist: Vinny Minton, Full Interview.
Interview by Christoph Bottcher & Oliver Nermerich.

Previously:

• Interview: The 5W’s with Vinny Minton
• More Vinny Minton Media

What happens when you let eight professional skaters inside the Marvel office? An insightful conversation about the correlation between comic book influences on the developing psyche and being an action sports athlete, of course!

Known as one of the most innovative and jaw-dropping group of skaters in the industry, the Valo crew destroys every rail, ledge or gap you put in front of them with style and super human prowess.

Fresh off a new DVD release called “Valo4Life” which reached the Top 10 list of documentaries in iTunes, Jon Julio and the Valo crew are already in the midst of creating their fifth DVD and releasing a brand new carbon-fiber skate called the Valo Light.

There is no stopping the Valo crew. Don’t believe me? Check out “Valo4Life” to see for yourself.

We sat down with inline skating legend and O.G., Jon Julio, along with Erik Bailey, Alex Broskow, Brandon Smith, Victor Arias, Ivan Narez, Dylan Davis and Justin Hertel to chat about skating, coffee blood, Wolverine sideburns and much more! [...]

Full Valo Team Interview on Marvel.com.
Interview By Harry Go. Photo: Marvel.

Related Facebook Thread:
Which Marvel character would make a good action sports athlete?

up: Chris Haffey – Mute 360 (Gosford, AU) ; launcher top view.

Nitro Circus comes to North America next weekend, right? What’s going on? When does the tour start?

The actual tour isn’t ’til next year, but we are doing a one-off show in Vegas next weekend, so tomorrow I am heading to a spot in California where they have the ramp set up so we can catch some practice/learn some new stuff before that show.

It sounds like the Las Vegas stop is supposed to be pretty special. What’s the story?

Yeah, Vegas is going to go off! Since it is a single show no one really has to be worried about being healthy for a show the next night, so I think a lot of people are planning some special tricks for this one. Every show is already insane, so I can’t even imagine how crazy this one is going to be. On top of that, they are bringing in some special guests for this one, so it should be the best show to date. [...]

(Blade Life): Chris Haffey talks Nitro Circus, Full Interview.
Interview by Just Blade ; Photos: NitroCircusLive.com.

• Visit Nitrocircuslive.com.
• More Media: Chris Haffey | Nitro Circus.

Mathieu Ledoux came to London for Mike Christie’s Concrete Circus project.

Here is his Interview for the Parcours “Residencia em Movimento” project. Link

Thanks Rodrigo Lagoa.

Bonus: 90s with Mathieu Ledoux by Jon Jenkins (Revolution)

Mathieu Ledoux is unreal. We have never seen a more naturally gifted individual. Mathieu’s body control allows him to skate in a way that rollerblading has never seen before.

We wanted to portray Mathieu’s skating the best way possible with a Revolution 90 Seconds Edit. His positivity is contagious, you can’t help but want to better yourself after being around him.

Mathieu is humble, he expects nothing from rollerblading. He only wishes to inspire others to go their own direction with their skating after watching his.

Mathieu Ledoux: 90 Second Interview & Profile.

Dominik Wagner spent some time here in NYC and I got a chance to meet up with him and ask him a few questions about our scene. Photos provided by Shardy Nieves, Sam DeAngelis, Adonis Taylor, and Dominik Wagner.

IrollNY, Dominik Wagner Interview, available on Issuu.

Kato Mateu Interview by Sophie Planque. Kato lives in San Diego, grew up in Montpellier (21 novembre 1974).

Everybody knows him, or already heard of im, Kato Mateu is kind of a “daddy of rollerblade”. Some of us criticize him, and others buy his skates! I wanted to meet him (actually by phone), to let him share his experience and vision of rollerblade. Interview.

Sophie Planque: Hello Kato! You’re married, you are a dad, and run Remz. How do you balance it all?

Kato Mateu: I met my lovely lady, we got married and have been blessed with two beautiful little girls (3 and 5yo now). I do my best to spend as much time as possible with them, I think it’s important to spend quality time with family, especially at that age. And it’s pure happiness.

When I leave on tour or to a contest with the boys, especially if it’s for extended periods of time or if I’m far away (europe for example) it does shake things up a bit, but usually I manage to be working on Remz during the day and spend time with the fam in the evenings.

Of course I mix in a little skate session every now and then with the friends, good meals, and a little sport. You see, I do everything I can to keep a simple life.

Sophie: And what did you study?

Kato: The “blader wanderer” schools (laughs). I dropped out of high-school in my last year. I loved math but not the race to graduation. I didn’t see it as a goal in life.

I didn’t feel like a blanket of diplomas would help me, I usually do better when I’m under a certain pressure in life. That being said, dropping just before graduation was also just plain youth rebellion of course.

After that i went through the somewhat normal rebellious faze of a 16-17 yo, got a bit into trouble, lots of graffiti, and also started traveling much. I don’t regret anything, it all worked out for me. I’m conscious now that I must be a somewhat isolated case, and that graduating might not be a bad idea after all! (laughs). [...]

Point of view, Kato Mateu: we were building our own skates.
Version Francaise: Point de vue, Kato Mateu: On fabriquait nous meme nos rollers.

“My favorite trick is the flat spin 360″

Sven Boekhorst is just brilliant. He’s on the skating scene for almost 15 years and he won everything. Moreover, Sven is able to compete in three different disciplines: the half pipe, the mini ramp and the park. He just skates everything!

Sven grew up in Den Bosch, South of the Netherlands, and live still there. He started to practice soccer in a club, which is a normal way to do sport in Europe.

But soon, in April 1994, he discovered rollerblading with friends. At this time, this was a brand new sport: it grew up quickly in his life, until the biggest place.

From the streets of Den Bosch to the X-Games, this looks like a long track to run. Sven did it fast: he was first sponsored in October 1994, six months after he started to skate!

He entered into the Rollerblade Netherland Team right after, skating shows and contests all over his home country. [...]

Check the full Sven Boekhorst Interview on Rollerblade.com.

Mathias Silhan (Razors, BHC) & Jon Matter (Clac Magazine, Bowl Dhag) were in Zurich for a day, an occasion for 21Lifestyles to learn a little more about these two friends hailing from Strasbourg (France).

Music : Aetoms (youtube). Saucisson Power!

More Media: Mathias Silhan | Gitan Klan (GTK).