What was your introduction to skateboarding?
I went to Gemco and saw all the boards and I
thought it would be fun. So I asked for a skate-
board for Christmas and about a month later I got
it. I was stoked. It was some Variflex hightail
board, a wide one with factory griptape, trucks,
wheels, rails and copers. I rode that board for
quite a while. Then I got a used Gator, some
Independent 151s and Sims street wheels and put
it together. Then I started skating a lot more. I
remember seeing Tom Knox and other guys that
were really good skating around in my area. I
was stoked and it made me want to skate more.
Where does your last name derive from?
It's Bulgarian, My great grandfather somehow
got a copy of his brother's visa and was able to
sneak over here to the United States illegally.
What is wrong with the world today?
It's too fast-paced. Everything is to the extreme.
Even skating is getting so extreme. Cars, pollu-
tion, greed: I really don't see how things can keep
on going this way or how much longer this plan-
et is going to last unless things mellow out.
Where have you been skating lately?
Around Concord a lot and the City every once
in a while. I've been skating with Wade, Doug
Saenz, Alan Petersen and Jesse Paez, whenever
he comes over.
Do you that think skating has lost some of
its credibility within the public eye?
Skating is so tech now that the public
doesn't even know what's going on.
They don't know when someone's going
switchstance or which way the board is
flipping. It's really hard for people to go
and check it out. It's like an inside thing.
If you don't skate, you won't know.
Where do you think skating is heading?
I could see it going towards vert. That could get
sick again. Vert skating is rad, those guys go off
and that stuff is fun. I think public parks should
seriously come back in. Every time I go to a little
park like Napa or something like that, everybody's
having a lot of fun without hassles. Cement
parks would be cool with transitions, curbs and
street-oriented stuff like that. That shit is in.
Name three people who inspire you.
As far as skating is concerned, Mark Gonzales,
he's still going off, he's a natural. For other inspi
ration, I guess my mom in certain ways. She
helps me out and tells me a lot of stuff. The third
person would be Superman, because he inspires
me to leap over tall buildings.
What's up with the cardboard masks?
I thought it would be funny to make some
goofy glasses out of cardboard. We wear them
when we're in the car and just stare at other dri-
vers. It's just funny kid stuff I guess
What makes you happy?
A lot of things do. Sometimes when I'm happy
you can't even tell. But seriously, a good day of
skating where I just have a good time and have a
A
lot of fun can make me happy. Even if I don't do
some crazy tricks, I can have a good time just
hanging out with my friends and skating.
What makes you angry?
Skateboarding makes me angry too. A bad day
of skating brings me down more than anything.
it can make me feel so depressed. Sometimes
when you can't find a cool girl anywhere that you
can talk to and hang out with can bum me out.
How is it having Wade Speyer as a roommate?
He has lots of funny stories, especially about
motocrossing and stuff. He always wants you to
do your dishes. He always says, "Do your dish."
That's Wade's famous quote in the kitchen. Wade
hates dirty dishes.
What do you think needs to change in skate-
boarding right now?
Maybe wheels should get a little bit bigger.
My wheels right now are really too small to main-
tain speed with. I'd prefer a wheel right around
the 43mm range. It's fun to cruise and roll,
around with speed.
What does it take to be a pro skater?
It takes more than just skating ability, the per-
son has to have their shit together in their head
and know what's up and what they need to do.
What are the benefits of being pro?
Traveling. That's pretty much what I like to get
out of skating, but it really hasn't been going on
for me lately. I love to travel, see new things,
meet people and skate hella new spots.
Who would you like to thank?
Jim Muir, Stacy Gibo, my mom, my fami-
ly, Fausto, Bryce, Jake, Jeff Klindt, Shrewgy.
Alan Petersen, Steve Keenan, Birdo, Tobin
Yelland, Sean Dolinsky and everyone that's
helped me out along the way.