etnies skate - team

Updated: February 20, 2008

So, you and I were skating the ledge at GvR last October and you were trying frontside flip tailslides, when all of a sudden I saw you crawling off the course... what happened?

Ha ha, just a minor miscalculation I suppose. I'm not really sure. I’d been trying frontside flip tailslide to 360 out for a while. The lame thing about it is that I was in a zone and felt really confident that I had it that try. When I think back to all the times I've gotten hurt, there’s been a sense of overconfidence I think. I can usually spot or sense it and take a couple steps back, slow down and start over. Weird!

You know the reason Goofy lost this year is because you didn’t skate, right? You fucker. I lost 100$ too.

What? No way. I would have tried my best that’s for sure. But to say that we lost cause I didn't skate is just not right.

So then, what was the exact injury you sustained?

Well, I forget all the technical talk that the doctor told me. I took two sets of X-rays a couple weeks apart that came back negative on breaks or cracks. The M.R.I report was a bit different and the sports doctor said it showed bruising of the bone. I basically bruised the inside moving parts of my ankle. I thought I twisted it just like all the other times.

How long were/are you out of commish for?

It's been too long. GvR was in October and now were at the beginning of Feb. I wouldn't say I’m 100 percent, but it's close.

Have you been skating much yet?

I skate a bit every day. My control level is good… not good enough to start filming and shooting photos, but I'm going to wait a bit longer and make sure the aches that scare me are out of there.

What's it feel like when you try tricks now? Are you 100 percent? 50 percent? Any tricks you can or can't do?

I can skate and do all the flatground tricks that I had before. I think my regular hardflip is flipping better now. Just the flip. I haven't actually been stomping them. I have a bit more power back for nollie stuff, so I'm getting that stuff back slowly.

But there's a pain when I land hard or bend down too low. The problem I was having is that when I bend down and my knee goes in front of my foot. Ouch! I’m almost there. I'd say two more weeks and I'll have my feel and confidence back.

When do you expect to be skating 100% again?

I'll be out there March 1st. Let's do this.

What were you doing while you were hurt to help the injury and what were you doing when you weren't skating to kill time?

I've been paying a fortune in physical therapy. I don't need to go in anymore but I wanted to refresh my memory on what to do. I wake up, stretch out my muscles, get warmed up and do some strength training stuff. It's really boring. Other than that, just been building some off-road toys for the sand dunes.

I saw a little teaser for the new Blind video, how is filming going and when can we expect to see it?

I have some footage already. About two-and-a-half minutes, but I want to phase some out with better stuff. As for when the video drops. Hmm. I'll have to find out. The video is going to be pretty good, especially with the riders and the tricks being done.

Tell us a little about your new etnies pro model, the Creager. I had a pair on my feet and they were comfy as all hell. The tongue and padding feel great.

The shoe is pretty comfortable and breaks in pretty quick. Not as quick as the Faction but definitely holds up way better and offers more support and technical features, while still looking pretty clean and basic.

Tell us about the insole art as well. Where'd that inspiration come from?

Inspiration? Skateboarding of course!

How's the golf game coming along these days?

I haven't been playing golf. My time has been spent taking care of my foot and building toys. I’ve been playing video games too.
You moving to the OC yet? You've been telling me you're gonna for over a year now. I need someone to go skate with. Plus our new indoor etnies TF is being built as we speak!

What? Did I just hear the secret word? “Indoor TF.” Where's my key? I'm in OC all the time!

What else is new and exciting in the world of Ronnie Creager?

Hmm. I'm pretty much just excited to be back on my board and shredding.

How you feeling about the new dudes coming on board? Malto and Mikey Taylor and stuff?

I'm stoked. It's going to be hard to do a demo with those guys, that’s for sure. I think it says a lot about the brand. etnies must be doing something right. I'm for sure going to be getting some autographs when I see them. Ha, ha. That's lame but I don't care. I'm a fan.

Check out a few more photos and sequences of Ronnie!

Original Team Page Interview

How and when did you start skating?
My neighbor introduced a skateboard to me at a very early age. (On my stomach like superman) I was around the age of four when skateboarding really engraved itself in my brain. From then on it was hard to pull the board out of my hands. That's what my parents say.

Do you remember what kind of board it was?
Hmm...it was thin for sure...like a banana seat for a bike. The first real board that I ever got from a skateboard shop was a Ken Park pro model with all sorts of different colored grip tape. Before that it was ninja / kung fu crappy boards from K-Mart or some other thrift shop.

Were there any early influences on your skating?
I would just skate all over town, try to skate with anybody that was skateboarding, read magazines and look at the cool photos and dream. As I got older I looked up to all the guys in videos. I would watch, Ohio Skate Out, Street Style in Tempe, Vision Skate Escape, Street Skating with Rob and Natas, instructional videos. My dad would rent skate videos at the store and then copy them to the camera so I could watch them. It was mostly all contest/demo videos. I really like the 1281 New Deal Video. Super sick!

You're known as a more technical skater, doing lots of manual and ledge tricks, crazy flip-in, flip-out stuff. What made this type of skating appeal to you more than say, transitions or rails?
That is a good question. I'm not really sure. I just go out and skate and do what I enjoy doing and have fun. It may have to do with all the videos growing up and stuff.

What's your favorite stuff to skate?
I like to skate stuff that has a variety of things set up in one area. Wheelie pads are really fun for me, I also like ledges that go over a dirt gap or grass so you have to make it over a section and on the other side, Bumps over fire hydrants or sidewalks, little double sets with cool stuff to skate after or before. I like skateboarding down the street trying tricks wherever. It's embarrassing when you fall or hit that crack you didn't see and people driving by just laugh or honk.

Where, what, and with whom would your dream session be?
That is another hard question. I've had a bunch of them. At professional contests where everybody is there skateboarding really good, at demos and street spots. Sometimes it's hard to skate because it's so fun to watch the other guys do tricks and stuff.

What's the last trick you learned?
The last trick I learned was on a ramp. (Blunt to half cab in.) It took two hours at the park but I'm glad I spent the time to learn them because I can do them pretty consistent now as long as the ramp isn't too big.

Name a trick you want to learn but can't seem to get?
Whoa! How about I name a whole bunch? Front feeble, back smith, hardflips, nollie backside heelflips. If I do make one it feels really awkward and super sketchy.

In the last year you've been entering, and doing pretty well in contests. What brought this about? Did you just get psyched on contests or something?
Contests have always been extremely stressful and they make me very nervous all the time. I can't seem to feel normal and calm when it comes time to skate. My knees shake, I always have to use the bathroom, and then my feet won't work. I get lucky at times and stay on. I've been fortunate to place very well a couple times. Usually it's around 20th place for the average. I need some lessons from Sheckler and Bastien but those guys contest ability I can't comprehend.

How could contests be improved?
A few parking blocks, automobiles, tree, hole in the ground with water in it, jump ramp, wall ride for everyone to skate. That would be fun! I think all the contest that I've been to in the past two years are just set up for putting on a show or getting ratings on television.
Name one thing in skateboarding that bothers you.
The fact that you can't skate professionally forever and does eventually start to get harder and harder.

What do you like about being a pro?
Being pro means you get paid for skateboarding, if I'm not mistaken. I think I have a very minor learning problem which my brain can't stop thinking about skateboarding and focus on other things. So without a nine-to-five working job or Associates/Master's degree in school it definitely helps me survive. I like traveling the world for demos and meeting new people that skate and need help.

Not having to work?
As much fun and enjoyment skateboarding brings me. It is work!

Is anything bad about being a pro?
No! Ok yes, maybe a few things but I can't think of any right now that I want everybody to know about. Nothing that should shatter your dreams or your pursuit of a professional career in skateboarding.

What do you think of skate videos these days?
I love watching the latest skate video from companies. I'll skate ten miles and shovel out twenty bucks for a video. I know it's also a way for companies to make extra money and pump up the brand, which is not always easy for the riders to do. I want to watch something fun, neat; silly that has skateboarding in it.

What's your favorite video and favorite video part?
I've been watching Almost Round 3, Skate More, New Blood a lot lately. I have a lot of favorite videos. Can't seem to pick one right now.

Of all the parts you filmed, which are you most proud of?
Ha ha. I don't know. My next one if I can finish it.

What do you have in the works right now that What If is over? Filming for anything?
Filming is a never ending process and something I have to always do and try. Its nice to get a cool trick on film and be able to watch it and save it for later in case your company springs the idea of a video on you.

What do you like about etnies?
Is this a trick question? The shoes are great; the team has such great personality and ability. I think Arto Saari, Bastien Salabanzi, Rune Glifberg, and Ryan Sheckler are amazing skateboarders that truly have skateboarding in their hearts and want to make this a better skate world. Knowing that these guys are behind the brand tells me only good things about the company and shoes they skate it.

What's your favorite etnies model to skate in?
I'm wearing Bastien's shoe right now getting use to it. I have a sample pair of Shecklers shoe that he gave me in Europe that feel real good, but I have to say that Artos shoes the one that keeps finding its way on my feet.

What is coming up for the future with etnies?
We are all pushing for the new Creager shoe to come out and be perfect for skateboarding.

Will you be coming to the Goofy vs. Regular contest this October? And how do you feel about that contest itself?
I think I'll go and skate a bit, I'm not sure if I will enter. I don't think I'd be too happy if I messed up the goofy team and made them loose or do bad. It's all in good fun for skateboarding. Go goofy!

What do you enjoy besides skating?
I try to skate as much as possible. I like video games, movies, golfing, skim boarding, but mostly just skateboarding, eating sleeping and skateboarding.

What are your future goals?
Happy Skateboarding!