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INterview #13 - Igor Jovanovic

1. You started skating in the age of 21. How did it happen that you got into it in such age. Did you asked yourself a standard question: Am I too old to start this?

Yes I started to rollerskate at 21, but I had always loved extreme sports. As a kid I was wood pusher for many years, which made the transition to rollerblading much easier because many of the tricks are similar.

My friend and I started aggressive skating because it seemed interesting and no one else was doing it. We did gaps tried to grind small things we just cruised around and had fun.

No, I wasn´t  thinking about that, it was too fun but the thought was crossing my mind later on many times. After a while many people were quitting the sport and we didn´t have any skateparks. Also, the weather in Sweden dose not permit you to skate that long. During a 2-3 yr. period we had to travel to other cities to skate parks, sometimes 4 hours away.



2. I will drain the 'age' thing a little bit more. Lately it can be noticed that many older Pros place an emphasis on the stretching, warm-ups, healthy lifestyle etc. Being 34 old are you worried about your joints and muscles or you just put on skates and blade straight away?

The older I become the more time I take for stretching and warming up. I have learned this because otherwise your body is totally thrashed the next day. You have to take care of your body.

Recommendation: A lot of vitamins and carbs and of course proper sleep, your body needs to recover. You also need to focus on your core muscle group like your stomach, back and legs so You are able to set the difficult tricks. Don´t forget your arms just in case u miss a trick so you have the strength to stop yourself from doing a face-plant! When you approach 30+, your muscles: Use them or lose them! 



3. In most interviews that I have read lately, it can be found that the age of 28-29 is way too much for street skating. Calm park blading is way to go. I had a chance to skate with you both street and park and I didn't noticed that you were holding back, so?

I love to skate Skateparks but the freedom and feeling of killing some street spots can´t be beat!



4. How do you feel among bladers that are usually much younger than you, how your 'not-blading' friends approach your lifestyle and hobby?

It feels good! Always nice to see what a new generation have to bring. Some of my non-skating friends have asked me if I am not too old to keep skating and are worried that I will get hurt. Most of my friends respect what I do.
For me, rollerblading is like football to other people and I like to do what I enjoy.



5. You are an adult, which means lots of duties that don't help going out and shred all the time. Could you describe your daily routine? Any tips for those who enter the adult world and just can't find the time for rollerblading?

With age comes responsibilities that influence ones spare time. But it doesn´t mean that you should quit what You enjoy doing. You decide what to do with your time here on Earth. If u want to just work and sleep and complain about your life and feel miserable then that is up to you. As an adult you need to prioritize. My daily routine is hard to describe because I work 3 shifts, but I always seem to find time to skate.



6. You live in Sweden, but you were born in Slovenia. As far I know Baltic Games was your first visit in Poland. How did you find yourself here? Are there any differences between Slavic an Scandinavian countries?

No, I was born in Sweden but I lived and went to school in Serbia for many years. As you maybe know I built ZeroOneSix Skatepark in Eskilstuna, Sweden. which attracted many skaters from Europe. One of those were Hedonskate team. They invited me to Baltic Games which I found interesting. Slavic people are more open and Scandinavian people are more reserved.

7. One of our good friend – Michał Zawadzki has been living in Sweden for few years now, you skate together from time to time. I wonder what local skaters can say about him :)?

Yeah, he is a good friend of mine too. He is a really good skater and a crazy party animal! I think every body that knows Michael believes that he puts mind body and soul into his skating. I met Michael the first time, when he was skating at competition here in Sweden back in 2004. He is great guy to have around because he is always down (for monkey biasness)to shred street or park.

8. What do you like most about rollerblading, what gives you the biggest satisfaction?

I think the freedom to do what you want, no need to copy the pros and everything that they do. Skate to create there are no boundaries! We are all adrenaline seekers! Skating? A hierarchy of grinds and airs, where the possibilities are endless.

9. I assume that even though you started to blade kind of late, yet you will stay with it much longer than anyone else, I would like to ask what are your goals or blade dream?

My goals and dreams are to be part of it and making the skating scene bigger. If all the older skaters just quit the culture will not develop. I am probably gonna keep shredding as long as my body can take it. Love it too much to quit.

Photos by : Kuba Urbańczyk, Johan Dunevall


 

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