etnies

Where are you originally from?
I'm from Poperinge (Belgium).

How and when did you start skating?
I was seven years old and my grandmother gave me a skateboard as a gift, I had seen one in a shop that I liked.

Do you remember what kind of board it was?
It was a cheap skateboard from a gift shop with all kinds of different gifts in it. The skateboard wasn’t from a 'big' brand like Flip or …..

Did you start out skating in the streets or at a skatepark?
I started skating in front of my house, in the street and the outdoor skatepark (with a few things to jump) in my hometown.

Who were you skating with at first?
A couple of friends from my neighborhood.

Were there any early influences on your skating? Who did you look up to?
At first I didn't really know many skaters. I was just practicing with my skateboard. I also watched some skaters at the local skatepark and tried to copy them. Soon enough I discovered videos at the skatepark and I began to like the style of Ryan Sheckler or Chris Cole.

Do you enjoy skating in contests and demos?
I like to skate in contests because it gives me a ‘thrill' to finish my ride without any mistakes. I want to perform at my best. This is important for me, it gives me satisfaction!

How could contests be improved?
I didn't experience any problems.

What do you like about being able to make some money from skating?
I always try to skate at my best and this gives me a good feeling, but it's always nice when I win some money too.
With that money I can buy something I like very much, or I buy something for a member of the family. A gift that they wanted.

What do you think of skate videos these days?
Some skate videos are better than others. It usually depends on the style of the filmmaker and the way they film the skaters. But most of the time I like the movies because I can watch new tricks and the style of the skater.

Do you enjoy filming video parts yourself?
It's funny to see myself on video but it's very nice to see myself when I do a nice trick. When it's on film you can watch it over and over again!

Do you skate vert ramps or bowls much?
I often visit the skatepark in Wevelgem where I can skate on ramps and street, but I prefer street. Sometimes I visit the skatepark in Kortrijk where I can practice in a bowl.

What do you think of the skateparks in Europe?
It's nice to visit other skateparks because it's always a challenge to practice in new places. But I'm happy when I just can 'do my thing' and skate!

What do you like about etnies?
I like the shoes. I'm lucky that the members of etnies are supporting me during my skating so all I have to think about are my lines and go with the flow.

Which etnies shoe do you like? Why?
I like the Callicut, Arto and the Sheckler’s.

Who do you skate with now?
It depends on the place and time. I often skate with Hans Claessens and all my friends.

Who are your favorite skaters of all time?
My favorites are: Chris Cole, Ryan Sheckler, Andrew Reynolds, Arto Saari.....

What have been the highlights of your skateboarding career?
I have a lot of great moments already, but I will never forget my good results at the European competition.

Skateboarding professionally also means a lot of traveling! What
does that mean to you?
I mostly travel with my parents because I'm too young to travel alone. This is very nice and without them I wouldn't be able to do contests. Once we are there we always meet a lot of new people and we have a lot of fun together. I enjoy the company and the country that I'm in.

What do you enjoy besides skating?
Hmm, most of the time I'm just skating. During the holidays I visit the skatepark so I have a busy program: skating, skating and skating!

What are your future goals?
I hope to become a pro skater so I can skate every day in the future... that's most certainly my dream!

Here you are!
Goodbye...Axel