If many European skaters have tried and will always try their luck in the US, only a handful of Americans have decided that the ‚Land of the free‘ was not what they were told and made the move in the opposite direction. For some reason, this topic has never really been studied by skateboard media and has never been more relevant. So here you go—more to come.
Interview by David Turakiewicz
What triggered your move? Was it that first trip in Eu?
I came 1 month with Element to Barcelona. Then 1 year later I came with Arizona homies to Barcelona again and stayed 3 months. Then 3 months back and came back like 6/7 months and travelled more. But I always knew I would stay ‚cause it’s much easier going here.
How long have you been living in Europe?
Like 16 years, maybe? 2 in Barcelona, 2 in Berlin, some travelling always and then 10 years now in Austria (Linz), with a year in Leipzig mixed in there. Also a lot of summers in Finland.
What made you decide to stay?
I just enjoyed it so much and met great friends. I came and ended up staying longer every time I visited, also I met a girl too so you know that story.
„IT’S MUCH EASIER GOING HERE“
How often do you go back?
I was back in the summer of ’23 with my kids but before that, 5 years or so… I am not that interested in it.
What do your relatives think of you staying here and what’s their opinion about Europe?
I remember the first 5 years or so, they thought I would be coming back. And my mom is the only family member to come and she is totally American and thinks the fridges are tiny and so much walking and no ice in drinks… Ha ha!
After all these years, has your outlook on the US changed?
No. It’s still a as crazy as it’s always been but it has its special moments. Ha ha!
Do you still vote for the US elections?
Nope. I would then have to do taxes there and I don’t want that. Plus I wouldn’t have voted for the choice between the scum. I don’t buy from any corporations (I am given free Nikes…) if I can help it and I find that OK for my non-voting guilt.
A few things that are better here, and in the US, skateboarding wise?
I think the community is tighter or know each other and are all more approachable but maybe that’s changing. And I’m happy that one doesn’t ‚have to‘ seemingly go to the US and live or whatever to be a payed skater anymore.
Skateboarding wise, do you think it would have been easier if you stayed in the US?
100%. I remember vaguely being told by the guys at Skate One (Powell/Bones): ‚If you stay in Europe we’re not going to pay you‘. So next time I got any ‚job‘ from skating was some contest euros and then Antiz gave like 200€ a month and Nike hooked up some flights, and I think photo incentives for a moment.
Not interested in going back even only for a few days?
Yeah sure. But never to live.
You were telling me some of your friends back “home” are considering the same move. Did you just convince them or is Trump’s crazy moves are helping?
Well there life I don’t think was great and I think the foreseeable future looks chaos. They all working 50-70 hours a week. Many just still getting by. Some of course are smashing it but there’s no social net to catch your ass if you hurt yourself and can’t work and or lose job. It’s dangerous out there, you know.
„IT’S DANGEROUS OUT THERE, YOU KNOW“
Indeed. I always wonder how many pros don’t have health insurance out there.
Yeah, I bet many. I don’t think companies can give insurance to skaters. They can only recommend them to get it. ‚Cause it’s a sponsorship contract.
I just read life expectancy is 5 years lower there than here… Last question: what’s your situation now and why Austria?
Ha ha! Austria because there are 2 beautiful kids here that I love dearly and I was building parks for Yamato in Germany in the last 3 years but now I will do landscaping and whatnot. I would love to work in skating (TM, great idea person, problem finder/fixer, oro ho, marketing, etc.) wink wink!
Feb 2025