InArticles

INterview #14 - Mark Wojda

1. Introduce yourself.

Mark Raphael Wojda. 21 years old.


2. Many times it was mentioned that you have polish roots, can you confirm that? Can you say that you are a pole? What are your polish roots?

My mom grew up outside Warsaw. My father’s parent’s are polish. He grew up in Connecticut but went to Medical school in Warsaw where he met my mom.

3. Due to the fact that you have polish origin, you have a lot of fans in Poland, so I have to ask you few more things – can you talk/write in Polish?

Right now that’s a funny question because all I’ve been really focusing on is learning Spanish. I understand a lot of Polish when spoken. My mom has spoken it to me much of the time throughout my life. I haven’t lived with my parents for a few years now, so I haven’t had any practice and was never originally fluent..But I will learn, I mean…I have to right?…However, I am in love with everything about South America right now and feel like its necessary to focus on learning one language at a time…I plan on learning as many languages as possible before I’m 24…

4. Few years ago there were a gossip that some 15 year old kid named Marek (polish origin, living in Usa) skated with Warsaw crew and was doing Hardspin Topsouls on rails. Do you remember that? When was the last time you have visited Poland and what did you like the most in our country?

Yeah, that was me, that was my last time…Skating in Warsaw was sick, I can’t wait to come back and shred with everyone.. Piotrek, that dude is really talented…Style, stunts, chill..


 

5. When are you planning your next visit to Poland?

I can’t say. I want to move to South America soon, that’s more of what is on my mind. But I need to live in Poland sometime before I’m 24 or 25 so I can become fluent.

6. Do you follow/know polish inline scene and what can you say about it`s level. Do you know any rider that stands out in your opinion? Maybe you recognize somebody from edits/photos and would like to skate together sometime?

Piotrek Combrzynski is really the one that stands out the most…He has talent…on another note, I’m really happy to see Poland has such a big, cool scene though..that’s exciting… Poland has a handful of talent… Mateusz Kowalski is smooth….

7. When will Marek Wojda compete in some Polish contest?

I don’t know. I hate skating contests unless I’m in a certain mood or vibing out with really close friends…Judging is a lot more fun…I’d love to judge a competition in Poland anytime! And just skate with everyone.


8. Crazy polish? How did you get this nick name?

I have a million different nicknames all of which are just jokes…haha…

9. Let`s wrap things up with polish stuff. What do you do besides skating? How does your usual daily routine looks like??

When I’m in school I usually wake up and do a little work out routine for 5 or 10 minutes…have my coffee, smoke, play music….go to class, study, hang out with friends…I love riding bikes around Boston so I usually spend an hour doing that at some point. The evenings are either filled with skating, biking, billiards, and girls…ideally..

10. When we were talking about he details of this interview you were packing for a Colombia tour. I`m sure you have attended many of them, which one was the most memorable and why?

I have never been on a tour to Colombia, this was a vacation I paid for by myself with a  check I got from “GenreisDead” (Thanks Chris Majette!). Colombia was the most incredible place I’ve ever been in my life. I plan on teaching English there very soon. The women, food, culture, nightlife, music, people, art, cities, scenery, mountains….were all so incredible…The warmth and hospitality the people showed me was something I had never experienced before. I’d love to go to Colombia specifically to skate and tour but I have not had the chance to. In February Kato sent me to Ecuador. Franky was suppose to come but didn’t. So I was there solo with Billy O’Neil, Demetrous George, and Jero. That experience was really life changing. Every time I go to South America I learn a lot more about myself and life. Also, the Colombian scene is huge. I really don’t travel much with skating. Personally, I love to travel and learn about different cultures…wherever I go I bring my skates.

11. Not so long ago you posted a pic of your setup on facebook – Remz OS, CO frames with Denial wheels. All of these companies are your main sponsors. Can you say something about them ? Why Denial and how it is to be a member of Create Originals team?

I have the best sponsors ever. If you don’t have Create Originals you are missing out. I’m currently staying at Brian Lewis and Hakeem Jimoh’s house actually…Denial wheels are great. Chris Majette has given Montre, JonJon, and myself more control over the company and I have a pro-wheel, designed by Jeremy Beightol, out soon! Remz is different. I don’t really skate for Remz anymore. Kato is the man, Remz are cool, but my ankles and feet can’t deal with the super low cuff anymore..Kato is definitely the man though and I love everyone involved on Remz..Whether its Nils, Connar O brien, Haffey, Franky, or Lilly in Peru! Haha..Remz was cool to be a part of. I’m currently in the process of trying different skates. I’d like to personally thank Kato for everything he has done for me.

12. Your last edits showed clearly that you are one of the best up`n`comers out there. I would like to know more about your approach to blading – street or park and why?

Thanks, my approach is this - have as much fun as possible! Thats all I’m trying to do. Everyone just saw me in the ONE video and assumed I love hand rails. I hate handrails now…they are really very 1990’s to me. I love skitching around town off cars, going like 30-40mph, and just vibing out finding new places to skate. I don’t believe in spots anymore, such as skating 1 handrail. I will not skate a flat rail. Fast sloppy switch ups make the sport look bad. I’m just all about going as fast as possible, finding the coolest things to skate, and rocking out hard…A good concrete park with great flow, 24hour lighting, free admittance, and no pads is what I really enjoy. In Kentucky, my parents live a 15 minute bike ride away from one…its incredible…..I really am over the conventional way a lot of Europeans, Americans, and even South Americans view skating..I just love to go skate, it makes me feel like a kid. Tricks just happen, its just my mind being stimulated in another way…Skating is a very different type of focus for me now and I’ve applied that same focus to other aspects of my life, needless to say its been very beneficial…There is no “why” to my skating…I just do whatever I’m thinking at the time. When the trick feels good its going to look good…I’m trying to just do everything with my left foot at the moment because my right foot does not want to anymore…it’s just whatever…I’m just trying to flow…

13. Everybody who watched your section more closely, can notice that your are doing most of your tricks switch and natural easily, where do you get motivation to learn them both ways?

There is no such thing as a switch..Switch is just a false invention we’ve accustomed ourselves to in order to make things easier…The body is one thing…Back in the day there was no switch…People need to learn how to skate before they do tricks, that’s another point I want to make…I can’t stand sloppy skating, its pathetic and is pointless. I love skating because you can do whatever you want, telling yourself something is switch is one way of mentally limiting your ability to progress…Skating and more so life are all about constant progression, consistency, and style…the freedom behind skating correctly is what motivates me…

14. Your rail-skills are unmatched, is there any single trick that you consider the most difficult. Have you ever landed a trick that you would not try anymore?

Haha, I hate handrails…over them…I can do whatever I want on a handrail both ways without too much of a challenge…skating actual obstacles is more difficult and I can’t for the life of me skate an indoor wooden skatepark or a launch box very well…I tried to fakie 720 this 21 stair gap in Louisville, Ky but will not try it again because its pointless and Haffey already did a bigger one…so what’s the point of doing something that’s basically been done???

15. I`m sure you have/had some blader that you were looking up to, who was he? Who is your favorite rollerblader right now? Maybe someone from Europe?

I don’t know…Aarong Feinberg…Montre and Jon Jon are the future..Create Originals-all the owners and riders….

16. Who or what is Louisville Slugger (graphic from your CO frame)?

The Louisville Slugger is a mentality. Sticking up for what you believe in…Killing skateboarders who talk shit..


17. Any plans for the future??

South America!!

18. Do you want to add something else?

See you soon Poland!

Galeria jest jeszcze pusta.