“In the Field” with David Gutnick
CBC Radiohost, David Gutnick hosts a program called “In the Field”, which interviewed a few older skaters at Millennium Park recently.
Click the image below to listen to the story/interview. It starts about 2:30 in.
Dwight Pineau Interview
“Every few weeks I watch a new YouTube clip of the kids in Calgary killing it. Nothing against the next generation of Calgz locals, but compared to Dwight we’re all half-stepping. If you skated in Calgary in the 90’s or early 00’s you’d know exactly what I mean. Bagot? Baker House? Big 4? Big Red? Bishop Kidd? Deerfoot Dubs? McDougall Double? Science Centre 17? Dwight got there first, got his, and did it all for fun. Dwight Pineau: the only Calgarian deserving of his name on the bottom of a skateboard and, in my humble opinion, so much more. Dwight will always be one of my biggest heroes.”
-Rob Thorpe
Hey Dwight. How old are you and where were you born?
I’m 35 years old. Born in Calgary.
I know you’re a family man and working these days, but you still skate, right?
I do but not as much as I have in the last few years. But I do when my back is into it.
What brought you to Edmonton?
It was 1998 or something like that and I had blown out three of the four ligaments in my knee and had hit rock bottom— drinking and partying way too much and not making good decisions. I found a job in E-town, moved my family there, got my knee fixed, and stayed there for three years or so.
What are/were the White Skulls?
That’s a hard question to answer. It started in E-town with three other guys: Matt, Derek, Boxer Shawn and myself. It was started as a gang but a farce— like it was the funnys shit. “White Skull” sounds so racist but everyone has a white skull so it was cool. We all got it tattooed and that was that. Case closed. I moved back to Cowtown started hanging with Frenchy all the time and before long we had started a chapter here and it just snowballed from there.
You’ve got a lot of tattoos. Are any of them skateboarding related?
Ah…yeah. One: “Skate and Destroy” (Thrasher-style) on the inside of my bottom lip.
Did you ever have any bad injuries?
Yeah tons but the topper would have to be breaking my face. I literally broke my face in three places (I ran into a BMXer at the park). It’s pretty funny that now I can say I’ve had plastic surgery. I laugh now but I think about how not fun it really was. I couldn’t really open my mouth and the funniest thing is that it happened after I had stopped trying to giver— you know, doing anything good (photo or film-worthy).
Speaking of long lists, can you name a few of your sponsors? You’re one of the few people I know that’s had their name on a board. What are your feelings on local shops and the current state of the skateboarding scene? Where do you skate nowadays? Do you hit Millennium Park often? What about other parks? Do you ever hit any street spots? Who do you skate with? I know I’ve seen your son Julien skating. Do you skate with him? What are you plans for the winter? Do you have access to an indoor spot? You’re pretty involved in the Calgary custom car/hot rod scene. Can you tell us a little about that? Give us the specs on your ride. What do you do in your spare time besides work on cars? What’s your day job? Do you still film? Where does your footage go? If you could change anything in Calgary skateboarding, what would it be? Is there anyone you want to thank?
What magazines and videos did you have coverage in? I imagine it’s a pretty long list.
There’s been a bunch but not in a long time. Mags I was lucky to be in are: Transworld, SBC, and Concrete. For vids of course Rob (Thorpe)’s videos, Stay Down and Still Down, I had one banger in one of the video and that other video, 5 Foot 12 I think was the name. I had some tricks in those vids.
Yeah life was pretty good to me in that aspect. I never made any money but there where a couple boards that possessed my name. If we start with the first company, it would be White Elephant (Rob Price). That board didn’t have my name on it but it was my shape. Then Eternal did an amateur signature board, Olive had made a board as well. The last was Rellik Skateboards. Many other people and companies helped me out: C1RCA, Vans, and United. Thanks to all and every one– it was great.
Well, for real I can’t comment on the scene since I’m not really in it, but i can say that as long as there’s people giving’er hard then it must be a good scene. As for shops all I’m going to say is Kenny D and Dion are the shit and did the best thing by buying Mission.
Lately I’be been skating in my alley it’s pretty dope.
I have been seen at the old Millz, but like I said I’ve been skating in my alley. Skating is tough now. It’s hit or miss whether or not my back will agree with skating day to day. It sucks.
Once in a while but not too often. When I do it’s pretty fun and brings back some of the best memories for sure.
Most of the time I roll solo; Julien and myself battle in the alley sometimes.
Not too worried about skating this winter. I have to fix my car that I broke.
Yeah it’s funny. I used to tell Frenchy that I was going to be a greaser when I chilled on skating, and here I am— a full-patched member of the Diablos Car Club and it’s the shit. A small group of fellas and hot rods. It’s the best.
My car is a 1954 Ford 2 door hardtop. I defaced it by putting a 355ci Chevy motor in it. I call it Frankenstein. We’ll be having our 8th annual Greaseball bash car show. It’s a weekend thing at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino on June 8th, 9th, and 10th. It should be good party at night and car show during the days. Check out the Diablos fan page on Facebook for info.
Just hang with the family, nothing to crazy.
In the last few months I started working at The Rod Shop. We build hot rods, customs, and anything I could dream of more or less. It’s good!
No, I gave up on skating rails and gaps a long time ago and I don’t think anything I can do these days would be worth taking a photo of or filming. I do miss it, those were good times.
I don’t think anything needs to change. I enjoy it.
First of all my wife and son, Rachael and Julien of course, and anyone and everyone that ever helped me from free things to photos/filming or just good old fashioned support. Thanks to all!
Levi Switzer’s Injuries
Last week we told you about Levi’s Switzer’s injuries. We asked him for a few more details and this is what he said:
What happened with the bail on the bump to rail?
I tried to 5050 it, I guess I was going to slow, and didn’t ollie high enough, clipped my feet up burley, flipped over and landed on my back, good.
Had you tried it before?
I had thought of it for a while, this was my second try, first try I got pretty close, locked in and slipped out, was so hyped, guess I didn’t pay enough attention the second time. Fell to flat.
Is the spot in Calgary?
Ya, actually its in downtown… I saw a Sean MacAlister photo of it in Color a year ago or so, I was so stoked when I found it!
How many tries did you have before you got hurt?
This was my second time before I fell… but if you meant getting kicked out? We didn’t. It’s a fun little spot.
What was the actual injury?
Right after I fell, I couldn’t straighten my back out for a couple minutes… I was scared, I mean. You break an arm, a leg, it sucks, but it’s alright. But with head, back and neck injuries, that kinda stuff can mess you up good for life. So I headed to the hospital straight away, I even left the crew of homies at the spot (and I drove haha) At the hospital, the doctor thought I broke some little triangle pieces on my spine. I was trippin’, but then I got an x-ray and it turned out alright, just a mean bruise on my spine and back.
How much time did you spend in hospital?
I got out the same night, just with some antibiotics, cause the swelling was super gnarly. A week later, the swelling didn’t go down, so I got it drained, some big, fat needle drained 30 ml out of my back. It was heinous.
Are you all healed up from that?
I am for sure. I just need to maybe stretch a little extra when I get to the spot.
Tell us about the car accident. Where was it?
15th ave and 5th st SW, kinda by the 7-11 on 17th ave. I was in the crosswalk, crossing over 5th st.
Were you just skating down the street or were you trying a trick?
Ya, I just got off work and I was waiting at a crosswalk, the traffic stopped for me, I gave them a thank you wave and started into the intersection. All of a sudden I was upside down, that feeling, not knowing of whats up or down, then I was on my face on the curb, I guess I hit the windshield pretty hard too. Apparently the third lane didn’t see me.
Did the driver stop to see if you were okay?
I rolled over onto my back and the first thought in my head was, “Did she drive away? What’s the license plate number!?”… haha. She stuck around. I just layed there. People called the ambulance and helped prop up my neck and stuff. I could hear the woman who hit me, crying and standing near me. When the medics got there, They strapped me to a board and put a neck brace on and the medic was like “I’m gonna leave your board here, ok?”, she showed it to me, it was in two pieces. I had to argue with her from the stretcher to bring my board, cause my trucks and wheels were worth something. My board got wrecked good.
What were the injuries there? Hospital time?
Ya, pretty wild. I broke some bone in the top of my foot, leaving me in an aircast and crutches for a while. I can’t put weight on it or drive for weeks. I broke the frontal bone in my skull, basically my forehead. So now I have a big dent and crack in my forehead where I landed on the curb. The doctors and medics say I’m lucky to be alive. Seriously, God saved my life that day, not kidding. I didn’t die– I am blessed.
I was let out of the hospital that night with instructions for my family to watch me closely. I have been back for various doctor’s appointments with the family doctor, orthopedic surgeon, plastic surgeon, a neurology appt coming up soon and more follow up with the other ones.
Any charges against the driver?
A broken windshield I guess, not sure what else. Kind of funny how things work out.
How long is your recovery time?
Uhh… a few months for my foot, they told me like 7-9 weeks on crutches and I think for my head, it’ll be a while, just taking it easy. It could take over a year, maybe migraines for a long time… Don’t be surprised if you see helmet footy of me this year, I’d rather be able to speak than look cool for a bit.
In the hospital, I could hear the nurses say “what happened to him?”… “He was skateboarding.” Or “He was skateboarding and got hit by a car”. I’m like,”I was crossing the street!!!!! I just happened to be on my skateboard!!”
Coming away from this, after hearing what the nurses said and the vibe I got, I am definitely gonna be planning and working hard to better the image of skateboarding. I don’t do drugs, commit crimes or vandalize, and I love people. So I want to show the people that look down to us as skaters that we are more than a “You deserved it, you skateboarder” fatality. We are functioning members, giving back to society.
Riley Boland Interview
Riley Boland is well-known to most Calgary skaters. He’s been skating for most of his life and skating well. If you’ve ever been at Millennium or Cochrane Skatepark and wondered who the long-haired skinny guy seemingly going way too fast and too big for his frame was, it was probably Riley. Read on if you want to know a little bit more about this all-terrain ripper and contest shredder. Thanks to Jeff Thorburn for most of the photos.
Stalefish - Thorburn Photo
What’s your full name and where were you born?
Riley Boland
11/09/86
General hospital Calgary
Who do you ride for?
Oakley, Vans footwear, Creature, ACE trucks, Power Rider wheels, Insight clothing, The Source Skate Shop
Who do you skate with?
Colin Nogue mostly. John Fearns of course. Drew Merriman, Elliot James, Dustin Henry, Tyler Warren, and Dave Ehrenreich– all these dudes are the best.
Rock to Fakie - Thorburn Photo
Where do you skate? Favourite spots?
I love to skate Mills in Calgary for the most part I try to hit the streets every now and then. The thing about Mills is you can always go there alone and you will always have someone to skate with because of the way Calgary’s scene is. Like when you are in Vancouver you go to a park and there will maybe be someone there but usually not. In Calgs everyone is always at MILLS!
My favorite spot? street it would have to be Amco. No I don’t even have a favorite spot. Mills is where it’s at but Lincoln City, Oregon and Haleiwa, Hawaii are my favorite places to go to skate.
Boardslide Transfer - Thorburn photo
What are your plans for the next few months? Any trips planned?
I don’t really have much plans for the first part of winter. I just got back from Hawaii yesterday; that was an awesome trip and I skated everyday. I have a messed up knee and basically everything else on my legs so I am going to just chill and try to get in good shape.
In the later winter months I hope to get down to Cali some time and there is a Power Rider Wheels trip happening somewhere. Not sure where that will be through though.
Where do you skate in the winter?
Skate? I don’t much that’s for sure. With no Source Park and now my ramp is gone there is no where to skate except for a few indoor ledges in parkades. Other then that I just skate when Mills is dry.
Gap to Boardslide - Thorburn photo
What do you think of the parks in the Calgary area (Airdrie, Olds, etc)?
I have only skated the Airdrie park twice as its kinda far and not nearly as good as mills, and mills is just a few blocks from my house so I just pop over there for a sesh whenever I can. Though Airdrie’s street stuff is super radical. I haven’t been to Olds or anywhere else; I heard there was a new one coming somewhere soon. Cochrane is always fun but I haven’t even been able to skate there once all year.
You’ve had some photos in magazines. How did that come about?
Hahaha, umm I just skate I guess.
Boneless - Thorburn photo
What do you do when you’re not skating?
I am always working when I’m not skating. I own my own tactical gear company so I am a seamster (not a scenester, a seamster). It’s a lot of work owning your own business. Also go camping as much as I can in my Westy.
What’s your company called?
It’s called Ferro Concepts. If you were around back when Norbeece was in the mix they used to call me “Wey Ferro” and that’s where the name came from. I make military gear like vests, pouches, packs etc. I started it by making my own stuff and then some for friends for military collection purposes but then people started wanting it and so here I am– running a sweat shop, haha.
Do you film? Where does your footage go?
There are some clips in secret places. Don’t ask me I wish I knew… ask Bacon haha!
What about contests? Do you like doing them? You were in Slam City Jam when it was in Calgary a few years ago. What was that like?
I love contests. All your homies from all over are in one spot ripping. It’s the best sesh all the time.
That was 2006 haha, kinda ancient. It was the last Slam that’s for sure. It was neat to have it in Calgary but it it shouldn’t have left Van.
Ollie - Thorburn photo
What’s up with your set-ups? You ride the loosest trucks I’ve ever seen in my life. How do you get them like that and don’t you get wheel bite?
Hahaha I was just looking at my setup yesterday in the airport and thought “this thing looks retarded, big wheels, skinny trucks, wide board, risers–it looks like a monster truck. But hey, it isn’t about being cool like in snowboarding, it’s about what works and this janky thing works for me.
The trucks have been in the works for many years. I have been riding the same bushings for probably 5 years, though I have to replace one so my one truck is much tighter now.
It’s ankle strength to not get wheel bit but I have bushings to help with that. Still happens when you jump down stuff though.
Do you still skate in slip ons?
Only slips forever! I can’t do laces.
Air - Brock Mitchell photo
If you could change anything in Calgary skateboarding, what would it be?
Have an indoor park.
Any final words?
Thanks for your time and thanks to all the peeps that have helped me skate over the years! Word Fearngully.
Paul Kent – World Record Holder
Paul Kent is a Calgary skateboarder that currently holds the world record for skateboarding the longest distance in 24hrs (403 Kilometres). Read an interview with him by clicking below:
Kevin Lowry Interview in Fall SBC
SBC Skateboard Magazine has an interview with Kevin Lowry in their upcoming Fall issue. It should be available in skateshops soon.
