the KNOW SKATEBOARDING project

i’ve shook his hand, but we’ve never actually talked about anything. i think ryan sheckler is a good skateboarder, but it might help if he thought about what he was going to say before it flew out of his mouth. here’s an excerpt from his latest verbal barrage.

“And how many cars do you have?

Yeah, I’m 18. I’ve got to show something. I’m tired of these haters.”

i’m going on the record and predicting a britney spears style flameout within three years. the whole article from the oregonian after the jump.

The Oregonian
Dew Tour Skateboarding star is living the (relatively) good life

After placing second at the AST Dew Tour’s stop in Portland last year, skateboarding prodigy Ryan Sheckler refused to talk to media, ran from tour staff and sped away in a minivan. His autograph session, scheduled for later that evening, was cancelled.

We didn’t let the 18-year-old action sports pinup star get away without talking this time. He spared us seven minutes of his time before the tour’s skateboard park finals Friday at the Rose Quarter. He later won the event, pulling him into second place in the season-long Dew Cup standings behind Paul Rodriguez.

Sitting in a side room deep in the bowels of the Rose Garden, Sheckler appeared agitated. He wore all black, with monster diamond earrings pinned in each lobe, and sported two new tattoos on his forearms, “Skate Life” on one, “Till Death” on the other.

A family dispute was troubling him, he said. His divorced parents and two younger brothers, Shane, 16, and Kane, 9, had traveled with him to Portland. He didn’t get into details. But it was clear, from what Sheckler shared, that life as a celebrity can sometimes be taxing.

Sheckler became an instant star when, at 13, he turned pro and won his first X Games gold medal. Since then, he has quickly become the new face of skateboarding, an heir apparent to legend Tony Hawk. The reigning Dew Cup champion three years running, Sheckler snagged his second X Games gold earlier this month and recently wrapped up filming the third season of his MTV reality show, “Life of Ryan.”

(Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.)

How are you feeling?

Right now, angry. There’s been some family issues. It’s kind of crazy, but it’s making me skate better.

Does your family always travel with you?

It depends. Sometimes, it’s a few of them here. Other times, it’s just my mom. But they’ve been trying to make a conscious-us — consciencent, ahhhh! Dude, I can’t even say the word. Conscience, ahh whatever. They’re out here trying to support. But sometimes, it works for the worst.

How do you feel about your place in the Dew Cup standings?

That’s also why I’m a little bit frustrated. I’ve realized this is not the end of the world. It took me a long time to realize that. I still go out every contest and try to win. But at the end of the day, if I don’t, I don’t beat myself up for it anymore. I’ve accomplished so much at such a young age. I realize the good’s overweighing the bad. Every day, it’s a different turn, a different obstacle.

What’s it like being a celebrity?

It’s weird that I can’t go anywhere. Even when I got off the airplane today, it was pictures and autographs. People just want to meet you. People want to see what you’re doing. It’s a little intrusive every once in a while, but other than that, this is what I signed up for. I never really expected this. All I wanted to do was skate. And skateboarding’s brought me here. It’s God’s plan, and it’s working.

Do you consider yourself more of a TV star or skateboarding star?

I consider myself just a professional skateboarder. I hate the word ‘famous’ or ‘celebrity.’ Those words trip me out. I’m just a skateboarder. But I have an extraordinary life.

Can you describe how extraordinary it is?

We fly around in private jets. I just finally bought my own house, bought a big old home, got a bunch of cars. It’s the life, you know, the life I’ve always seen celebrities and other people have that I’ve always wanted. I’m 18, and I have it. And it’s just getting bigger.

Where’s your new house?

San Clemente, Calif., where I grew up, about two miles from my mom’s house. But I bought a big house on the corner overlooking the ocean, so it’s cool.

And how many cars do you have?

Right now, I think I have four? Three? Three, and I’m probably going to have five at the end of this year. I’m trying to budget out a Ferrari.

A Ferrari?!

Yeah, I’m 18. I’ve got to show something. I’m tired of these haters.

Tell me about these haters.

The people that dis me obviously have some kind of interest in what I’m doing. They talk about me almost more than my fans do. So the haters just help me. But, you know, it gets to me, for sure, when I’m out skating, having a good time, and everyone’s cheering and there’s a few guys yelling in the crowd.

What else do you want to accomplish in life?

I’m just going to keep skating. I want to be the first to get the first five Dew Cups in a row. And then from there, maybe jump into the acting world. I don’t know, man. There’s nothing really that can stop me. We’ve got Sheckler merchandise coming out. I’m working on new clothing, working on the new shoe line. There’s a lot going on. My life is super busy. But you know, I can’t live a normal, regular non-stressful life. It will kill me. Not being stressed out kills me. I like the stress. I like the unknown, the animosity in the air. I like feeling like there’s chaos everywhere. It helps me relax. It’s crazy. My life’s been so hectic since Day One, when I was 13 and I turned pro and won the X Games. Since then, all I’ve known is chaos. That shows at my house, too. We have super sick parties. It’s a great life.

Boaz Herzog: 503-412-7072; boherzog@gmail.com

©2008 Oregonian