Juergen Horrwarth
Where are you originally from?
I’m from Metzingen, Germany. I am currently residing in Berlin.
How and when did you start skating?
I probably started skating around 1988, but only rolling around.
Do you remember what kind of board it was?
It was the classic banana plastic board. It was like a slalom board.
Did you start out skating in the streets or at a skatepark?
I started to skate down the street and up and down curbs. There was nothing around then.
Who were you skating with at first?
I first skated with some skaters I met and made friends with. Even though they didn’t want me to hang out with them at first.
Were there any early influences on your skating? Who did you look
up to?
I was definitely looking up to one of those guys. He had good style for back then and was popping big ollies. The oldest one in our crew always took us to skateparks on weekends and taught us the first things on vert. I was looking up to him as well.
Do you enjoy skating in contests and demos?
It really depends on lots of things, but generally I don’t have a problem with skating contests. They are stressful and don’t have much to do with the true spirit of skating.
I enjoy doing demos usually. Sometimes you get shitty obstacles to skate on, which makes demos gnarly sometimes. Vert demos are sick. I do some methods and take the money.
How could contests be improved?
Always trying out new formats and having little changes in systems for judging can improve contests. More creative things to skate on. Good ramps, etc.
What do you like about being able to make some money from skating? What’s not so cool?
I like the fact that I am able to do something so free and creative, yet difficult and challenging enough as a sport for a living. I think the only downside of it could be constant traveling without being able to go home, not enjoying proper food for ages and of course injuries and pain.
What do you think of skate videos these days?
I don’t watch too many, because they are false reality. I definitely appreciate the incredible level of skill shown on a skateboard these days and what’s done with it. I just think most videos are rather boring in some ways. Either it’s too much of this kind of skating, or too much of that.
I like videos where you get stoked to go skate right after. Not the ones that make you wanna never step on your board again.
Do you enjoy filming video parts yourself?
Yes, I do. I like trying to get stuff done you never really knew you could make. Unfortunately, I won’t get the chance to film for the upcoming TRAP video, because I broke my foot recently.
Do you skate vert ramps or bowls much?
I love skating a good vert ramp. But that’s rather something you do with a good crew of people, unless you ‘re filming. Bowls are one of my favorite features because you don’t have to do many tricks to have plenty of fun.
I also love skating pools, which are very different from any other terrain.
What do you think of the skateparks in Europe?
The skateparks in Europe need to be improved. We have a couple of parks that are good. But there are tons of parks being built by idiot planners, or stupid ramp building companies.
We need more good concrete parks and bowls.
Should skateparks copy real street spots like MACBA or have more
trannies?
Everything, I would say. Don’t necessarily try and copy a feature that’s already somewhere else but try something new, maybe make it better.
What do you like about etnies?
etnies is a brand which has stuck to it’s roots and has gotten rewarded for sticking to those roots by having tons of experience in development of product, which is only good for the riders.
Good team, good philosophy and some good things going back into skateboarding.
Which etnies shoe do you like? Why?
I love any shoe, like the Faction. I like low and grippy soles, close to my board.
The Arto 2 will probably be my new favorite. I’ll see when I can skate again!
Who do you skate with now?
I skate with the usual skate-suspects of Berlin, like Mack McKelton, FloBo, Maxim, Dan, Adam, Michi Mackrodt, Till and Willow etc.
I usually travel with Renton Millar during summertime here and when it’s winter we travel the southern hemisphere together.
Who are your favorite skaters of all time?
Here I must say, D.Way, Colin McCay, Koston, Rune, Jake Brown, PLG, Bob, Willow…
What have been the highlights of your skateboarding career?
To be able to still do it! Not getting worse at it and still having tons of fun most of the time.
Other than that I got first at the ESC in Bowl and Vert, which I really thought was great! Also, winning the LG comp in Berlin was good for my self-esteem and the skate scene here in Berlin.
Skateboarding professionally also means a lot of traveling! What
does that mean to you?
Traveling can be annoying. Especially when you can’t choose the people you’re traveling with. Other than that, traveling and skating can be very funny and inspiring. It’s always best to go with the locals.
What do you enjoy besides skating?
I enjoy playing the drums and trying to sing. Also I’m a bit into graphic stuff and drawing, designing etc.
I very much enjoy cooking and eating!
What are your future goals?
Hmm, I wanna keep doing what I’m doing right now, but always a bit different in the future because there is no unlimited time for pro skateboarding.
Also, I wanna improve my whole relationship with not being home much and securing my future type deal a bit.