HEADS MATT FIELD
COUPLE OF YEARS AGO
there was a hippie/Rasta
style rebirth in skating. You were
one of the original skaters to
appear in that time period with
that style and idea; how did you
feel when all the things that were
important to you suddenly became
fashion accessories?
That style and idea are totally old
school. It's always been here. I Path
heads, for some reason, were still feel-
ing it and letting people know what was
up with us, and skaters were identifying
with it, some for the right reasons, like
eating well, yoga, roots, music, positive
vibes. Others were just trying to iden-
tify with something that they weren't
really feeling on the inside, that was
universal laws.
Why don't you get ultra-tech like
the Osiris boys?
Because I don't practice at all. I just
let the terrain, friends, and the energy
I'm feeling around me bring out that
trick, whether soulful or tech. I just try
to do my best to let it come out.
Many of your early photos were
big rail tricks, and I've heard
that you're getting back in that
state of mind. How do you
approach something like a big
rail without getting spun out and
overly nervous?
Skating rails is totally fun. I've never
felt such a good feeling as when I
ground my first rail. But it seems like
skating them has to be your main
MATT FIELD IS NOT A HIPPIE
Where do you see yourself in
five years?
Hopefully having a nice home ramp,
more dogs, kids, and being a certified
yoga teacher. I want to travel a lot
more with my girl, and show her
things that I never got the chance to
see when I was young.
I've heard that you're reincar-
nating yourself. How and why?
Well, I'm a Pisces. I'll try to do
everything but most times master noth-
ing, and right now I'm going to put
skating first and see what happens. I
come from a Harley Davidson family,
so I guess I was born to ride.
When your daughter Dekoa was
born, you were very young and
almost an unknown in skating.
Left to right: Mad Field.
Frontside crooks. Hippier
days. In the next few months
he'll be getting up on them
rails, but for now it's a nollie
180° over the top.
FIL
FIS-5501
just on the surface, so it washed out a
little. But the people who feel it know,
and we're here for good.
How much do you think being
heavily involved in yoga has helped
your body for skating purposes?
It totally remolded my life. Five
years ago I thought I was done-
cooked. It helped rebuild my temple
from the inside out. It definitely helps.
my skating and opens up a door within
the body that's normally stiff and
closed. I try to find a balance within
myself; I still like to party with
friends-that's awesome-but I know.
to get home to myself.
Is it hip to be a hippie?
No, not unless you're living in the
sixties and you're down for a cause.
I'm no hippie. I'm just a dad who
skates and believes in compassion and
focus, to keep that "fuck it" charge.
going. I just felt like I laid down my
Smith lipslide nosegrind; that was cool
with me. I wasn't out to prove anything
or kill myself on some rail. I'm a free-
former, sidewalk surfer, SF.
The kickflip 5-0 at Hubba was
your breakthrough trick, and it
became a blessing and a curse for
you; why?
I just ended up there, and the vibe
was good, and that's what went down.
It was kind of expected of me to be
some gnarly dude, but I just liked doing
kickflip 5-0s, period.
What's your role at I Path?
Basically, everyone on the team is
pretty tight, so everyone has say. I just
take the role to check in with everyone,
make sure they get their checks, and
make sure stuff in production is cool..
How did you make the decision to
continue pursuing the skate dream
instead of quitting to find a "real"
job to support your family?
My family life back east was broken,
and my mom had passed away the
same year my daughter was born, and
it was probably the last thing my mom
wanted me to do. She wanted me to go
to college, get a job-none of those
things really interested me. I just
wanted to hear music, skate, and take
care of my daughter and girl. So I
came out West. Heads like Jim,
Tommy, and Barker helped me lay out
my path and turn my dreams into real-
ity. I give them thanks. I'm just going to
keep doing my shit-I Path, yoga, being
a dad, skating. Thanks for the support
out there. Respect to all my family and
friends in all directions. One love.
-Nico Berry