“Skating doesn’t make you a skateboarder, not being able to stop skating, that makes you a skateboarder.” -Lance Mountain

I always loved that quote from Lance but it only shows one side of the griptape if you will. Being the most hardcore slasher,  skating 24/7, having the highest ollie, wearing the newest gear (or the oldest Dickies) or watching the most vids don’t make you a skateboarder.

It’s inside you. It’s the unexplainable urge and desire to ride a skateboard.

However, sometimes it’s the time off your board and the activities outside of skating that help  solidify you as a “skateboarder.”  The ability to bring skating into everything else you do then come back to that simple act of rolling.   If your a “lifer“,  sometimes it’s needed.

It doesn’t make you less of a skater to explore,its in our nature. It makes you a more of a well rounded person and perhaps in turn, it will make you a better skateboarder.

Here are some secret lives of some of the Valleys most stylish, long standing, and creative skaters.

Mike Emery: Avid Motocross rider and Photographer

Phil Chadbourn:  Fly fisherman & musician.

Matt Kayes:  One Tough Mudder, fixed gear rider & snowboarder.

Andy V:  Woodworker & furniture designer.

Pat Villa: Chef

Ray Gurz:  Musician & owner of Lost Soul Skateboards.

Andrew Colbert:  Artist.

Dustin Martinez: Golfer.

Luke Koch: Artist.

This is an incomplete list to show you that most of the Valley’s skaters have skills on and off their boards truly making them well rounded people.

Follow your desires; whatever they are.  Take a break from skating from time to time- it will be here for you when you get back. And if you have been gone for a while, what better time to come back home?

-NoNo