Name: Greg Lutzka
Hometown: Lake Forest, California
Age: 30
Sponsors: Darkstar Skateboards, Rockstar Energy Osiris Shoes, Ricta Wheels, Mob Grip, Independent Trucks, FKD Bearings, Kicker Audio, Nectar Sunglasses, OC Ramps, Onnit, Harley Davidson, Blast Motion, Jammy Pack, FP Insoles, GoPole.
What set-up are you riding right now?
Darkstar 8.25, Independent trucks 149s, Ricta wheels 50mms, Mob Grip and FKD Swiss Bearings.
What’s the most fun DIY, skater-built or renegade spot that you’ve skated lately?
The Foundation spots popping up everywhere in L.A. lately have been a blast.
Have you ever built something to skate?
I’ve helped build mini ramps and tons of jump ramps and grind boxes as a child growing up. Half the fun of skateboarding is building stuff to shred!
Who do you like to skate with these days?
Ryan Decenzo, Nick Palmquist, TJ Rogers, Manny, Chaz Ortiz, Hoops and Robbie Crawford.
Best skate graphic you have seen lately?
The new Darkstar Combat series is one of my favorite board graphic series!
Best thing you’ve ever skated in a skatepark and what skatepark was it?
I enjoyed the old school Skatepark of Tampa pyramid back in early 2000s. It was so perfect and awesome to learn new tricks on.
Favorite skateboarders of all time?
Tom Penny, Jamie Thomas, Geoff Rowley, Arto Saari, Nyjah Huston, Wes Kremer.
Is there anything that hasn’t been built to skate yet that you’d like to see built?
It would be cool to have a perfect 8 stair rail with a foam pit below to learn any hand rail trick that you can think of.
Best road trip you ever took?
King Of The Road with the Almost team! Just watch the Thrasher King Of The Road videos to see all the ruckus.
Any skate-related charities you support?
I am a board member of The Sheckler Foundation. #SkateForACause
What music have you been listening to lately?
Old rock, hip hop and reggae.
What do you consider the responsibilities of a professional skateboarder?
Hard work, dedication, passion, progression and persistence are all key elements to make it and continue being a professional skateboarder.
Which skate shops do you support and go to the most?
Phase 2 and Sky High! I’ll keep it with the Midwest Milwaukee roots.
What is your favorite skate photo of all time?
Atiba and Dave Swift photography. Everything they have shot for TransWorld over the years and The Skateboard Mag have always inspired me to go skate.
What is your take on girls skateboarding?
Leticia rules! She won the first Super Crown Street League! That’s amazing! Girls gotta get some too!
What skateboarding memorabilia do you have that means the most to you?
All the souvenirs from all the places I’ve traveled over the years always bring back awesome memories. My most memorable item would be the first pro contest trophy that I won in Europe called the Munster World Cup in 2003.
Who contributes the most to your local skate scene?
The Sheckler Foundation is always raising funds and products for great causes. They contribute a ton!
Top three favorite skate tricks?
Front side flip, 369 flip and 270 nose blunts.
Do you think skateboarding should be in the Olympics?
Yes. Street skateboarding should be in the Olympics some day.
What is your proudest moment in skateboarding so far?
All the video parts I’ve filmed over the years – 411 Wheels of Fortune, Digital Invasion, Almost Round 3, Oakley Our Life, Globe United By Fate and Darkstar Forward Slash. I’m very grateful for all the support of family, friends and sponsors!
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…
