TheFatherLife.com : Richie Velasquez Interview
By: Ben Murphy / Image By: Cody Lester / February 11, 2008
Can you make a career out of rolling (translation: inline skating)? Yes, and you might even find time for a family too. Our own extreme sports enthusiast (and closet participant!) Ben Murphy managed to track down “New York City’s Secret Weapon,” inline stunt skater Richie Velasquez to find out just how he manages to keep it all together.
Ben Murphy: Tell us about yourself…
Richie Velasquez: I currently reside in Tehachapi, California, although I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I am 32 years young and I feel like I am still 18, except for the longer periods of pain associated with what I do. I am a three-time world champion for inline stunt skating and a professional rider for Rollerblade, 50/50, Rollerwarehouse, Rockstar Bearings, and Woodward West. I have been skating for 16 years and look forward to many more.
I have an amazing wife (Pamela Velasquez) who is incredibly supportive with my career and the industry of inline skating. I have 3 kids: a 7 year boy (Johanny) who is well on his way to becoming not only a world champion, but also a comedian/rockstar, and two beautiful identical twin daughters (India and Jaydan). My kids and wife are my life and are what keep me striving to do the best I can in all I do.
BM: Rolling, eh? Most folks are only vaguely acquainted with this growing action sport. Tell us about it.
RV: Inline stunt skating has been around for close to 20 years. I guess I would compare our sport to that of the X-games style of biking or skateboarding. The only difference is that we use our inline skates to perform the tricks you see at these events. Our discipline also revolves around the street style of skating where we utilize obstacles on the streets to perform these stunts. [...]
Read the full interview on TheFatherLife.com
Thanks Pamela
Tags: richie velasquez
February 13th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Props to you Richie! I am 35 years young paramedic and been rolling for 18 years. I am father to two beautiful girls, Brynn 8, Thea 6, and husband of the beautiful Zoe for 11 years (she came skating over to me while I was hitting my mini launch ramp one night in a deserted church parking lot and said “Hi!”, and I knew she was the one!) My girls have TRS jr, and K2 mini enemy skates and they are getting better all the time. Sometimes for me, the joints are a little stiff in the morning(especially when its cold) but once they warm up, its time to roll! You are an INSPIRATION
Richie! Keep it up!
Peace,
Scott W
AVL
February 14th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Great interview! I’m 30, been rolling for 15 years and looking forward to being a parent myself by next year. Its great to hear from people not letting the responsibilities push aside the things they love to do: skating. Kudos to you Richie, your career is inspirational.
Scott W: skating with your kids… thats must me AWESOME!! Can’t wait to be able to do that in 7 years from now!