HEADS ---
RODNEY TORRES
"I'M JUST SKATING"
ou seem to be injured a lot.
I have a broken wrist, and I have bone spurs in my
ankle that need to be cleaned out. I'm going in for
surgery in September.
Do you ride for the wrist guard company?
Yeah, I ride for S-One. I wear a wrist guard, and a helmet some-
times too.
Didn't you live in San Francisco for a long time?
I lived there for six months, from place to place. Actually I lived
with Kalis and Drake Jones when they lived together, in '95. I lived
with them for a little bit but I moved around. I've been to Southern
California a couple times.
It seems like for some skaters they live in California and
nothing happens for them, but then they move to New York
and get big.
I don't know, I just went out there for the experience. I didn't go
out there to get big. I came back home and skated; people just
helped me out and I appreciate it.
Do you think you're going to live in New York for awhile?
I was actually thinking about moving to Southern California;
maybe San Diego or maybe LA with my girlfriend. We've been out
there together and she loves it there. I'd rather be in an area where
it's warm all year round and just come to New York in the summers.
It's just an idea, it's not definite.
You won't miss all this snow?
Definitely not. I was born in the cold climate, but I don't like it.
Are you the East Coast ambassador for Osiris?
Yes, I am the ambassador. I hold it down in my own way.
Are you going to have a big part in the Aftermath video?
Maybe, it depends on how things work out. People here weren't.
really into filming me for the Osiris video. That's why I
only have seven or eight tricks. It was a last minute thing,
I just found someone who said "alright". That person
lives in California now. We did what we could; I only had
two weeks to film.
Are you going to be making a comeback as far as
that goes?
Hopefully. I've got a couple bangers right now; we'll see
how things turn out. I still have a lot of time.
Do you have a board sponsor?
Not at the moment. I had a couple of things that didn't
quite work out the way I thought they would, so I'm taking
my time with the next one. I rode for Rhythm for three
years. It was cool the first couple of years, but towards the
end I felt that the company was not doing so well. Even
thought they helped me out a lot, I wanted to make moves
that would secure my career. So after Rhythm, I rode for
Zoo for a minute. At the time it just didn't feel right, so I
moved to Infamous 'cause I wanted to be part of something new and
help it grow-instead I dealt with the biggest con artist in the game.
They'd tell you whatever you wanted to hear so that they could get
their way. They just made too many empty promises to too many peo-
ple. So after going through those experiences, with the next board
sponsor I get I want to make sure it's going to be something that I'll be
apart of for the long run.
Did you ride for Profile?
I think I did. I don't even know. They turned into Fit when I got
on, so I was and then I wasn't. Whatever, I don't have a board spon-
sor right now, I'm just skating.
Don't you live in a converted strip club?
That's up the block from my house where we met. I don't live there.
In all your years of skating how many rolls of film have.
been shot of you?
Too many, especially with you. I've gotten lucky a couple times,
but it takes awhile cause I'm always trying stupid tricks. I get lucky
sometimes. It depends on if the photographer wants to deal.
If they're putting off good vibes.
Yeah, I guess.
Do you have some future plans?
I have this dream. I have this dream that one day I'll be able to work
with what I've been doing my whole life. Just skateboarding. One day
have my own little company, and just be affiliated with the industry
whichever way. As far as a back up plan, no. I'm just skating right now.
College?
Mmm, I don't know, I guess I would have to go back to school.
Alright, that's probably the length this thing needs to be.
Hooray!
- Pat O'Dell
100 THRASHER