Name: Felipe Gouveia
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Age: 25
Sponsors: Hurt Life Skateboards, Brooklyn Projects, Supra shoes.
What set-up are you riding right now?
Size 8 Hurt Life board, 139 Independent trucks, Spitfire John Cardiel’s 50mm, Hurt Life grip, Sea Monster Hardware.
What’s the most fun DIY, skater-built or renegade spot that you’ve skated lately?
I wish I got a chance to skate the wave thing that Clayton and his dudes built in downtown Los Angeles, but I’ve been in Miami visiting my mom and, at that time, they moved this bowl called the Circus bowl from an indoor warehouse to a local skatepark. That’s been really rad because skateparks suck down here and it’s the first really good bowl to go to in the area now.
Have you ever built something to skate?
When I was younger, we used to build the most garbage ramps and rails in the back of a Sports Authority with crates or whatever, that would always get someone hurt. Those were really fun, but nowadays besides fixing a spot that has cracks and whatnot, I haven’t built anything to skate in a long time. I should.
Who do you like to skate with these days?
With all the Hurt Life dudes mostly, but honestly I could go on for days about all the awesome people that are fun to skate with. Being in Los Angeles, there are good people at every park, so everyone pretty much.
Best skate graphic you have seen lately?
Hurt Life has been coming up with some really sweet graphics; the ouija board graphic is rad. Besides that, my old roommate, Austin England, has been killing it with art, tats and graphics.
Best thing you’ve skated in a skatepark?
The Circus bowl in Dania Beach. That park used to totally suck. The stuff they built was confusing as hell, but now there’s a big bowl there that I’m really used to. It’s either that or the Brooklyn Projects mini ramp.
Favorite skateboarders of all time?
That’s a hard one, Honestly, I’d have to pick Tony Trujillo or John Cardiel.
Is there anything that hasn’t been built to skate yet that you’d like to see built?
Yeah. A DIY street loop. Set it up and let people rip their heads off trying it. That would be funny.
Best road trip you ever took?
The first time in a van with the best dudes was the Man Cave trip with these dudes that had an indoor park in a warehouse. This dude Andrew had a van we all hopped in and took it all the way up Florida and stopped at a bunch of parks and went on a lazy river ride with kiddy pools that popped and turned into a real life man vs. wild experience. It was for sure the first and best trip I’ve ever been on, nonstop laughter.
Are there any skate-related charities that you support?
Man, I wish. I think I donated a dollar at Tampa Am to that skate for cancer thing.
What music have you been listening to?
The Brian Jonestown Massacre changed my life a lot. I like Built To Spill and a hip hop group called Above The Law and GG Allin too.
What do you consider the responsibilities of a professional skateboarder?
You better be kicking ass out there. I think it’s the risks you take and how much you’re pushing your video parts and your skating. If people notice you killing it, you’re doing it right. I think that more than some commercial or contest win. I think really just pure street skating and kicking ass, like when John Cardiel did gold rail. That’s a responsibility and risk he took on and made it happen.
Which skate shops do you support?
Brooklyn Projects in Los Angeles have made it feel like a home away from home for me. Everyone there is awesome. Dom is the Man. The mini ramp and the vibes are always good there. I met my best friends there and they really gave me a place to feel happy. Also, I grew up in Miami and worked at MIA Skateshop when I was a bit older and I love that place and the people behind it .Those dudes are some of the only people pushing a good skate scene in south Florida. I grew up looking up to that shop and everyone that rode for them. They taught me a lot over the years.
Favorite skate photo of all time?
Koston doing the Fandango or whatever that one-footed nose grind at Beverly Hills High. It just looks so crazy and hilarious and I bought the shirt years later and I lost it.
What is your take on girls skateboarding?
Aw man, I love it! These girls are ripping harder than most dudes, especially on vert. That Lizzie Armanto girl is killing it. I remember when girls would just show up at the park to skip class and smoke or whatever and it was like they were walking into the yard at a prison. Now it’s cool. Girls can show up, skate, not feel weird and maybe get hit on, but then rip harder than dudes. I think it’s awesome!
What skateboarding memorabilia do you have that means the most to you?
When I was younger, I was a finalist in this video contest. I forgot the name of it. I think it was called Shred or Die and they sent me a signed Tony Hawk board with my name and a Go Pro camera. I was so psyched about it. In that same month, I met Shane Cross and he signed my board and drew a little cartoon on it. Those two things I’m gonna keep with me forever.
Who contributes the most to your local skate scene?
Out here in Miami, for sure, it’s MIA Skate Shop. They have a private indoor park that they open up every Wednesday and the sessions get heavy! Also Jason Ranft who builds ramps has made a lot of cool events and given south Florida a really sweet bowl! Out in L.A., I’d have to say Brooklyn Projects. Dom really has a huge BP family that everyone feels hyped to be a part of.
Top three favorite skate tricks?
Boneless Miller flip and three shuvs. I can do those after 25 beers still.
Do you think skateboarding should be in the Olympics?
Well, I mean, sure. Why not? There’s gonna be people mad at it, but I’m pretty sure everyone needs a damn dollar. It might get a lot of skateboarders in that contest world paid a lot more and maybe they would bring about more kook sponsors like McDonald’s and Starbucks, but how amazing and funny would that be to see people riding around with that and we could make so much fun of them. If they collect checks, it seems like a dream come true for a skateboarder.
What is your proudest moment in skateboarding so far?
Getting on Hurt Life Skateboards and skating in the Supra Hollywood Throwdown contest. That day felt better than any birthday, Christmas or anything. Period. I swear I could have died that night and been psyched.
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…
