When Mike Carroll was about ten years old, he
had a bleached blonde flat top and big feet.
Mike and his brother Greg would get out of his
mom's war wagon and buy decks at Concrete
Jungle. He never said much, even though you
could tell he was glory bound. Today he is only
sixteen years old, so he will be around for
awhile. In the meantime, read between the lines
about the switchstance superstar.
When did you start? Christmas 1987.
What did you do before skating? I used to
hang out with my brother and his friends and listen
to heavy metal.
Why do you skate? Because I have nothing
better to do.
Why is vert out? It's not. All the vert skaters
just thought it was, so they started skating street
because they thought kids would buy their boards.
Vert's not dead as long as Danny Way, Steve Ber-
ra, Mike Frazier, Neal Hendrix and Chris Livingston
are around. I'd rather watch them than skate..
Who are some of your favorite skaters?
Henry S., Rick H., Sheffey, Danny Way, Pat Duffy,
John Cardiel.
What do you think of the industry shit?
It's all jealousy. Everyone talking shit so they look
better, it's stupid. It's like all the gang shit, fighting
each other when they should join each other and
become stronger.
Where do you skate and with who? Not
Embarcadero, never been there. I skate with
Henry, Chico, James, Wing Ding, Scott, Sam,
Mon, Jovontae and Mike York.
Influences: My influences were probably almost
every pro or sponsored am, but I looked up to the
whole Bones Brigade most. The Gonz is the best.
Slamming? It's against my religion.
World View: The whole system is prejudiced.
Set-up: I'm riding a Rick Howard slick, new
Ventures because they're low and Plan B 42s.
Contests: Contests are hella fun until your run,
but then you got the NSA. They're so fucked, you
have to be a someone to get treated right and you
get the nosy photographer that writes for TWS
writing bullshit when he doesn't know the half.
Origins of your skating: My cousin, his friend
Greg G. and my bro pushed me down the street
into garbage cans.
Future plans: Don't stress, have fun, travel, and
when I can't skate no more, become a porn star.
Terrain: Anything, but Embarcadero is the best.
Music: I like all kinds of music, but rap is cool.
Del, Das FX, Black Sheep and Beastie Boys.
Food: I like easy food for lazy people: Stouffer's
mac and cheese, Taco Bell, Spaghetti-os, Snapple
drinks and ranch dressing on anything.
What do you do when you aren't skating?
I usually just play with myself or hang out across
the GG Bridge.
Did you ever think you would be pro?
Inever thought I would get sponsored, but I always
hoped I would.
Advice to the kids? Don't take skating so ser-
ous or competitively and have fun..
Thank yous: I thank everyone that hasn't talked
shit, basically no one.
Hate: Drinking, smoking and Jake Phelps.
Love: Perfect concaved boards.
Family: Right now. I live with my brother and his
girlfriend. My mom stops by sometimes and my
dad lives in Walnut Creek.
Who is at the forefront of modern skat-
ing? Without a doubt, Henry Sanchez. He's done
everything before anyone else.
Where do your tricks come from? I do
whatever feels good, not just because everyone
else is doing it, like some people.
Skate harassment: Cops suck dick.
skaters
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PHOTOS BY BRYCE KANIGHTS
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Mike Carroll (left) at home at EMB with a switchstance noseslide nosegrind shave-it and in the Mission district of SF (above) with a healflip backside 180.
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