What first drew you to skateboarding? And what keeps driving you?
Rodney Mullen - Skating first appealed to me because of the type of people that did it, plus the fact it wasn't organized or coached. There was no "perfect swing" to master; everybody did things their own way, and every way seemed "right." There was nobody telling me that I wasn't good enough, or that I should be more like the other guy, or that I had to beat the other guy... Even at contests, skaters didn't seem to be competing against each other; everybody just did their own thing, together. What drives me is pretty simple: I love skateboarding. It helps me be me; it's how I feel free.On your video segments, you look ridiculously comfortable and natural. Where does that come from?
Rodney Mullen - I've been doing it for a while, plus I guess my mom had good balance.When no one is filming, what’s your skating like?
Rodney Mullen - Embarrassing. I just cruise around and build on movements that seem to offer promise for what's next for me, or just simple motions that feel good depending on the spot. I'm not that interested in repeating hard stuff that doesn't point to something new; I try to keep my eye on what's weak about my skating. Plenty of that to work with... I almost always skate alone, in the middle of the night-- no cameras and stuff. It's my time.What do you do with your time when you aren’t skating?
Rodney Mullen - My wife says that the best way to describe my life is Forest Gump. I find myself surrounded by extraordinary people that give me unusual opportunities, so I do the best I can. Pretty vague, I know-- sorry. I nerd out a lot with books, computers, & music, and I'm always close to the Bible. Other than that, I hang out with my wife and dogs as much as I can.What projects have you been working on lately? (and what happened to the Uber-board?)
Rodney Mullen - I did the Uber stuff a long time ago, and now they're still trying to "catch up" for mass distribution-- not that easy. Besides the Gump stuff, I do a number of things with the company, especially with Tensor & Almost. But the main thing to me is still just my skating. After Round III, I had become limited. I promised myself I wouldn't film again until I had something to offer. Over the past year, I've taken a long and humbling route that will hopefully change that, though I still have a ways to go. I should start filming again in a month or so. Wish me luck.What advice do you have for skaters reading this?
Rodney Mullen - Just stay close to your skating and your real friends. I've been fortunate to have a lot of honors just for doing what I love, yet they didn't add one iota to the value that skating itself has brought to my life. Just stay close to what makes you you.Check out the Rodney Mullen Profile for more info and statistics on Rodney Mullen. Also, to see some of his skateboarding, pick up Almost Round Three, Opinion for something a little older but just as mind blowing, and The Bones Brigade Video Show for some real vintage Rodney Mullen skateboarding style.
