With so many adorable, aspiring skateboarders pushing around at Kids That Rip, it's a delightful dilemma to choose our next feature skater. But, I couldn't pass up getting a few words from the fashionably dressed, Mercedes Villegas. Mercedes is only four years old and participates in the mini-rippers program. Her mom, Teresa, says, 'She loves it here. We love it... The other day she says, "Mom, I need a tushguard for my bum."' Yet, despite some falls, Mercedes was poised on her skateboard today, ready to learn kick turns. Here's what she had to say.
Interview with Mercedes Villegas KTR: How old are you? Mercedes Villegas: (Holding up fingers) Four What's your favorite thing to skate at KTR? MV: Skating on my skateboard What are you working on? MV: Turning my skateboard. How did you get into skateboarding? MV: I watched my friend Sam do it, and my mom told me to skateboard. Favorite thing to eat after a day of skateboarding? MV: Snow Cones! What Flavor? MV: Strawberry Do you have any plans for the summer? MV: My birthday is this summer... to have fun!
'I just say, "It’s the same thing as the last trick I learned before," and just do it.'
Alana is the oldest of 3 sisters, with one more on the way this September.Oddly enough, all of her family members were born on an even day of the month… so she hopes her younger sister will be born on an even day as well…. I found this interesting.
Anyway, Alana has been skateboarding for less than a year, and has no reservations when it comes to showing up the boys. Just recently she has had the opportunity to participate in the full-time Skateboard School at KTR. If you haven't heard, this is where kids can take their skateboarding to the top: Alana 'home-schools' at KTR skateboard park and has private training the rest of the day.
Interview with Alana Smith: "All Skateboarding"
contributing PG_ Lucas Murphy
KTR: Name, DOB and Hometown: AS: Alana Smith, 10/20/2000, Mesa, AZ
KTR: Local Spot: AS: Apache Junction Skatepark and Kids That Rip Skateboard School
KTR: How did you get into Skateboarding? AS:I saw it on the X-Games- people doing 360 shuvs and going upside down. I got interested in it, and then my parents surprised me with a board.
KTR: Best thing about skateboarding is:
AS: Getting to skate with my friends.
KTR: How often do you skateboard? AS: Mon- Sat: 2 days at skateparks and as much as I can during the week.Sometimes I am here (KTR) 8 hrs a day. (Since the interview, Alana has had the opportunity to participate in the full-time skateboard school at KTR).
KTR: What is your favoritie shoe to skate in?
AS: The Osiris high-tops
KTR: Future goals in skateboarding?
AS: Growing up to be a pro skateboarder and having fun.I want to learn to 360 gap the mini mega here.I’d like to visit California.
KTR: Describe Camp Woodward East this summer?
AS: A lot of parks, way bigger than the ones here.13ft, 10ft, and 8fts.My favorite part was Cloud 9- The 13ft.
KTR: What gets you pumped to go skateboarding?
AS: I just wake up and want to skate; I’ll skip breakfast. Once I start I don’t want to stop.
KTR: Are there any skateboarders you look up to – to get better?
AS: Bucky and Ryan Scheckler
KTR:Favorite Trick:
AS: 360 airs on the mini mega and sometimes onto the top of the mini ramp.
KTR:Worst injury:
AS: Breaking my finger (laughs- it was stupid)- I was walking up the stairs and tripped.
KTR: How do you get yourself to try a new trick and overcome fear?
AS: I just say it’s the same thins as the last trick I learned before and just do it.
KTR: I hear you might being getting some backyard ramps- what would be your dream set-up?
AS: I want it to look like the 13ft one at Woodward, except an 11 and 12ft quarter-pipe.Also, I want a mini ramp and a mega ramp.
KTR:What’s one of the best moments you’ve had since you started skateboarding?
AS: When I got first place in the competition in Tuscan.All my family was there just yelling… for some reason.
In my book, Jett Eaton has one of the most positive attitudes about life I've ever seen, and if you're wondering where that gets you in life, well, just watch the video and read the interview below. And on that note, no skateboarder is without injury, but not many have taken an elbow to the spleen like Jett Eaton. Rebounding in just 7 weeks seems miraculous to me, but to Jett 7 weeks off of his skateboard feels more like an eon. The following interview with Jett gives us some tips on dealing with injury and recuperation... because you've got to be tough to stay in this game:)
Jett and Tony Hawk take some runs at Woodward East Camp, 2009.
Interview with Jett Eaton: Injuries, Recuperation, and Attitude.
KTR: Jett, you recently just had a birthday, how old are you now?
Jett Eaton: "Eleven"
KTR: Tell us about your last injury: how it happened, and what happened.
Jett: "I was at Woodward East skating the Outdoor Street. A guy (man size) hit me from the side, and his elbow landed on my belly and fractured my spleen."
KTR: How do you handle hard falls?
Jett: "I let my dad know I'm okay, stay tight in my head, and don't cry."
KTR:What's your advice for dealing with slams when they happen?
Jett: "You'll be okay, take deep breaths, and you've got to stay calm."
KTR:What does Jett do when he's off his board for almost 2 months?
"Sit home, play video games, swim... I went to Utah and the X-Games."
KTR: So, after being out for seven weeks, what did it feel like getting back on your board?
Jett: "Better. I am learning tricks faster. I am pumped to be back on my board."
KTR: Anything exciting coming up on your agenda?
Jett: "I'm going to Woodward East again to skate with the Red Bull Ams for one whole week! But, I don't have to be in the classes or follow the camp schedule..... I just have to be in bed by midnight."
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