Name: Dr. Lenore L.A. Sparks
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Age: 32
Sponsors: Conspiracy Skateboards, Swampco, Black Heaven Skateshop.
What set-up are you riding right now?
I am riding a Conspiracy Blood-spot 8.25 deck with a 14.25” wheelbase, Thunder team trucks, Mob Grip, Bones wheels, Bronson bearings and Thunder hardware.
What’s the most fun DIY, skater-built or renegade spot that you’ve skated lately?
The best spot made by skaters ever is Dana’s backyard. It has a bunch of names such as: PBR bowl, Dog bowl and Harold’s. It has a 10ft oval deep-end with a long face wall that joins a 6ft rounded-square shallow with an arched (the Bubble) extension. The connecting hips have a tight radius and some vert. Greasy, John, Dana Jesse and a host of Team Pain dudes made it over 3 years. The next best spot is 2er in Hannover, Germany.
Have you ever built something to skate?
I have helped with projects here and in Germany. I dug like a chain-gang member for Jesse’s pool (holy shit, it is a beauty) and I learned how to operate a Kraftlufthammer (jackhammer) to tear asphalt out of Mr. Wilson DIY in Kassel, Germany. We also built a brick wall and other stuff there. It is a sick skatepark now. Check it out online!
Who do you like to skate with these days?
By far, my favorite crews are the Kookiekunterz and the Arvada Army. I like when dogs are at the session too, chasing people around the pools. Hilarious! Shout out to the Koloss crew in Munster, Germany, as well.
Best skate graphic you have seen lately?
I like Kevin Kowalski’s trout graphic from Lifeblood. I think Kevin is rad and I like fishing, so that graphic is the best!
Best thing you’ve ever skated in a skatepark and what skatepark was it?
I love Jürgen Horwarth’s vert ramp (13ft) at the Skatepark of Berlin. He built the nicest ramp ever! I just wish I had more time to skate it! I also loved the “Backyard Pool” at Stapelbäddsparken in Malmö, especially when it had the chunky bread-loaf coping.
Favorite skateboarders of all time?
Alan Petersen, Jürgen Horwarth and Billy Sparks.
Is there anything that hasn’t been built to skate yet that you’d like to see built?
Yeah! A vert ramp at my parents’ house, duh! Haha! I wish Denver had a vert ramp…
Best road trip you ever took?
My favorite road trip was with my brother, Chelsea, Vincent and Pascal through Berlin and then to Croatia. We took a ferry to Italy. We skated crazy street spots all over Europe. Austria, Slovenia and Croatia have really great skateboarding. Imagine skating the streets of Dubrovnik?! It’s like skating glass because the marble is so polished, and then you can jump off cliffs when it gets too hot.
Are there any skate-related charities that you support?
I support Skateistan. It is by far the most effective peace-keeping idea I have heard of in a long time. Skateistan helps kids get off the streets and into school using skateboarding as a lure. They give kids (girls included) a safe spot and the confidence needed to face terrible odds.
What music have you been listening to lately?
I have Beer Boys and McRad on the radar right now.
What do you consider the responsibilities of a professional skateboarder?
Being nice to kids is important, and promoting ethics. It is also a good idea to know the history of skateboarding, so that you don’t look like a jackass when you talk about the past.
Which skate shops do you support and go to the most?
In Europe, I go to Black Heaven and, in Colorado, I go to 303 Boards.
Favorite skate photo of all time?
I like the photo of Lizzie Armanto smith grinding the bowl in Venice. She is amazing!
What is your take on girls skateboarding?
Girls are not as gnarly as dudes, but I like the grace and beauty they naturally bring to the sport. Rad tricks look even radder when they are done with style and grace. Lizzie is a great example of this approach.
What skateboarding memorabilia do you have that means the most to you?
I collect skate magazines that my friends are in, or skate mags with pictures of women. I don’t buy a magazine unless it meets one of these criteria.
Who contributes the most to your local skate scene?
Lindsey Kuhn from Conspiracy adds art and support, Terrill Schmidt (Whiskey T) is a huge contributor and supporter to up-and-coming shredders, Sam at 303 has kept the stoke alive since I was 17 years old! All the heroes with backyards in Arvada are winning right now! Thanks guys!
Top three favorite skate tricks?
No-comply, Texas plants, and kickturns. Kickturns always win.
Do you think skateboarding should be in the Olympics?
No. That would be a shit show. Only Dyrdek would get rich off of that.
What is your proudest moment in skateboarding so far?
The day I hopped on board! Thanks skateboarding!
ABOUT THE JUICE MAGAZINE STATE OF SKATE:
When we started Juice Magazine 22 years ago, you could count the number of skateparks on one hand and grindable pool coping was mostly a distant memory. Now there are thousands of skateparks all over the world, along with a vast quantity of DIY spots built to skate. In 1993, the majority of skateboarders listened to punk rock or hip hop exclusively. Now skateboarders listen to almost every kind of sound created. Two decades ago, skateboarding related charities were non-existent. Today, there are numerous non-profits giving back to skateboarding in many ways. One of the most important differences between now and then is that, 22 years ago, there was a clear division between old school and new school skateboarding. Now that wall of separation has followed the same path as the Berlin Wall, allowing for an unprecedented unification of skateboarders all over the globe. Great strides have been made for girls that skate as well as the acceptance of skate history and long overdue recognition for skateboarding’s pioneers and its artifacts. At the same time, the current generation of skateboarders is taking skateboarding to new heights, previously unimaginable. As the landscape of the skateboarding industry changes on a daily basis, and the topic of skateboarding in the Olympics rears its head once again, along with the disturbing subject of who controls skateboarding being tossed about by corporate entities, we decided it was time to take a good look at the State of Skate. We asked 20 questions to 100 skateboarders, ages 8 to 58, and found that skateboarding is as diverse as the skateboarders that are addicted to it, no one controls skateboarding except skateboarders, and the State of Skate is savage and strong. Now get out there and skate tough!
JUICE MAGAZINE STATE OF SKATE features interviews with 100 skateboarders including: Tony Alva, Dave Hackett, Chris Strople, Duane Peters, Steve Olson, Dave Duncan, Steve Alba, Tony Magnusson, Pat Black, Jesse Martinez, Bill Danforth, Jim Murphy, Ric Widenor, Lester Kasai, Glen Charnoski, Bryan Pennington, Peter Furnee, Jeremiah Risk, Ryan Smith, Jason Jessee, Omar Hassan, Cam Dowse, Jen O’Brien, Depth Leviathan Dweller, Brett Roper, Travis Beattie, Chris Gentry, CW Dunn, Chris Albright, Charlie Wilkins, Cairo Foster, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, BJ Morrill, Dr. Lenore L.A. Sparks, Sid Melvin, Jesse Irish, Packy Fancher, Greg Lutzka, Jimmy Larsen, Adam Dyet, Luis Tolentino, Greg Harbour, Frank Faria, Ryan DeCenzo, Dave Bachinsky, Johnny Turgesen, Casey Meyer, Edward Sanchez, David Gravette, Ben Hatchell, Brian Geib, Felipe Gouveia, Eric Santos, Kyle Smith, Cameron Revier, Josh Stafford, Justin Grubbs, Etienne Eden Archila, Sanzio Piacentini, Josh Elder, Eddie “Mighty” Moreno, Kevin Kowalski, Otto Pflanz, Jeremy Smith, Adam Wiggins, Jimmy Wilkins, Danny Gordon, Jake Hilbish, Corey Blanchette, Adam Legassie, Nick Santos, Trey Rounds, Curren Caples, Justyce Tabor, Andy Anderson, Sarah Thompson, Coral Guerrero, Collin Graham, Derek Scott, Ace Pelka, Sonny Rodriguez, Jarren Duke, Mikayla Sheppard, CJ Titus, Noah Schott, Emily Earring, Julian Torres, Wyatt Wisenbaker, Josh Forsberg, Nathan Midgette, Roman Pabich, Yago Dominguez, Jack Winburn, Jonas Carlsson, Kiko Francisco, Bryce Ava Wettstein, Desmond Shepherd, Matty Jessee and Luke Kahler.
FOR THE REST OF THE STORY, ORDER ISSUE #74 BY CLICKING HERE…
2 Responses
nice interview, thanks.