"Hesitation is how I get hurt in skating"
Guy's story, part 2/3
(2/3) “Some might see me as a loser or a bum for skating. A lot of skaters are into pretty shady things, but those who are in it for the craft, not for the look or the crowd, are genuinely hard-working people.
Skating is incredibly freeing because I get to do what I want. It’s not a team sport. It’s not even a sport; it’s a way of life. I can get so creative with my board. Like dancing, there are many styles. Vert skating is ramps and skate parks. Street skating is all about stair sets and rails.
My challenge in skating is to get more confident on my board. Some people grind down rails like it’s nothing. I can’t get myself to go up on a rail; I’ll roll up and turn away 100 times. When I finally do it, I stop, but that’s probably when I should keep going. I’ve gotten over blocks like skating down gaps and stairs. Going fast. I have to keep doing it until my brain realizes I can do it.
Sure, there’s a fear of getting hurt, but confident skaters see ways in which they can get out of a bad situation. I think of the worst outcome possible. Yet hesitation is how I get hurt in skating. I have to trust myself.
Skating is 80% mental, 20% physical. I must learn a trick in my head before I can do it in real life. I can spend a whole day visualizing how I will do it. It’s also physical. To pop my board a certain way, I need to learn where to place my feet and develop muscle memory.
A few years ago, I met a kid at Woodward whose dad owns Stereo Skateboards. When I sent him a part in fall 2019, he liked what I was doing. They sponsored me and posted pics on their Insta. I also got shoes from New Balance and trucks from Ace as a result of my outreach.
Then a friend came from Atlanta to meet with the WKND team. He invited me to their Warehouse Day, and I skated with them for a week. Then I filmed with them. I’m in the ‘Van Down’ video that has over 197,000 views. That’s when I felt like, ‘I can do this.’
I am hopeful about my future. I’m either getting paid or close to it. My challenge, career-wise, is to put something out there for people to see. I don’t have a solo video yet, so that’s what I’m working on. I want to get my name out there.”
June 2023 Update: Guy is featured in WKND’s ‘Junior’s In Training’ film, released two weeks ago. It has already amassed over 109,000 views.
Stay tuned for the last - unique - instalment in Guy’s story: his Mom’s perspective on his career choices.
Guy is constantly working on improving his craft - both his mindset, and his physical skills. How do you improve your craft? Tell us in the comments.