J O S E P H S A N D L A N D
Hey Joe, tell us firstly a few things about yourself...
Well as you know my name is Joe, I’m 37 and I come from from a small town in England called Hastings. I currently live in Lefkada and work as a yacht engineer. I studied Mechanical Engineering at university, but that doesn’t define who you are, especially in the days we are living in. I have skated since I was 14 years old. Though I have always thought of myself as a skater, that doesn’t mean I was actually always skating. I’ve also been a bmx rider for almost ten years now. Sometimes I would skate once or twice a year, sometimes every other day. I’ve always had a board though...Having a skateboard and riding it doesn’t automatically make you a skater, it’s in your head.
Well as you know my name is Joe, I’m 37 and I come from from a small town in England called Hastings. I currently live in Lefkada and work as a yacht engineer. I studied Mechanical Engineering at university, but that doesn’t define who you are, especially in the days we are living in. I have skated since I was 14 years old. Though I have always thought of myself as a skater, that doesn’t mean I was actually always skating. I’ve also been a bmx rider for almost ten years now. Sometimes I would skate once or twice a year, sometimes every other day. I’ve always had a board though...Having a skateboard and riding it doesn’t automatically make you a skater, it’s in your head.
What kept you going as a skater all those years?
Love, it’s as simple as that. I was mesmerized at 14 and still am. That’s one long love affair.
Love, it’s as simple as that. I was mesmerized at 14 and still am. That’s one long love affair.
Tell us the most bizarre experience in your life.
Lots! Just trying to think of some I can share! Oh yeah I was doing some electrics on this old house last week, I had disconnected the wire from the fusebox (I double checked it) and went to shorten the other end. As I cut through with my pliers on the third strand (the live), the radio upstairs went dead, I heard the main trip switch go and I've never let go of a pair of pliers so fast! Somehow the wire was still completely live! I think the breakers work at a speed of 20 milliseconds, crazy to see in effect but it freaked me way out. Don't mess with electricity!
Lots! Just trying to think of some I can share! Oh yeah I was doing some electrics on this old house last week, I had disconnected the wire from the fusebox (I double checked it) and went to shorten the other end. As I cut through with my pliers on the third strand (the live), the radio upstairs went dead, I heard the main trip switch go and I've never let go of a pair of pliers so fast! Somehow the wire was still completely live! I think the breakers work at a speed of 20 milliseconds, crazy to see in effect but it freaked me way out. Don't mess with electricity!
Do you enjoy living in Greece?
I love Greece! It kinda reminds me of how England was, but now it’s so full or rules and petty mindedness, it’s unreal. I like it here, people don’t care about the small things, they let you be. The weather is fantastic, the sea is so blue and most people are very welcoming! Though your round-a-bouts are crazy! You guys need to give way to the left! Apart from that I love it all.
I love Greece! It kinda reminds me of how England was, but now it’s so full or rules and petty mindedness, it’s unreal. I like it here, people don’t care about the small things, they let you be. The weather is fantastic, the sea is so blue and most people are very welcoming! Though your round-a-bouts are crazy! You guys need to give way to the left! Apart from that I love it all.
What's your opinion on skateboarding evolution? How different was it back in the 50s - 60s?
I think since skating from its early start in the 50’s -or whenever it was that dudes where breaking up soap box racers or scooters to ride a wooden plank on two feet- there has been a constant driving force to push things forward, skateboarders can’t help it. Either in technically, or gnar value (???), people are out there battling by their selves… Look at Rodney Mullen, he virtually single-handedly invented modern flat ground skating on his own, on a farm. What I really like about today’s era is that anything goes; there is room for everybody now. You can Slalom, freestyle, be hesh, be a rad dad, or uber tech and it’s all cool. This is a wonderful thing to see. I actually find it quite amazing in the present day to open up a magazine and see pictures of 80’s ramp tricks taking centre stage; that is skateboarding today
I think since skating from its early start in the 50’s -or whenever it was that dudes where breaking up soap box racers or scooters to ride a wooden plank on two feet- there has been a constant driving force to push things forward, skateboarders can’t help it. Either in technically, or gnar value (???), people are out there battling by their selves… Look at Rodney Mullen, he virtually single-handedly invented modern flat ground skating on his own, on a farm. What I really like about today’s era is that anything goes; there is room for everybody now. You can Slalom, freestyle, be hesh, be a rad dad, or uber tech and it’s all cool. This is a wonderful thing to see. I actually find it quite amazing in the present day to open up a magazine and see pictures of 80’s ramp tricks taking centre stage; that is skateboarding today
Is skateboarding in Greece different to what it is in England?
Skateboarding is skateboarding the world over. People ride a board and it makes them happy. In England however, there is the element of sponsorship which seems to be the driving point for skateboarders. Kids lose sight of why they started to skate. Sure, it will come back to them, they’ll smile and enjoy it. It’s fun.
Skateboarding is skateboarding the world over. People ride a board and it makes them happy. In England however, there is the element of sponsorship which seems to be the driving point for skateboarders. Kids lose sight of why they started to skate. Sure, it will come back to them, they’ll smile and enjoy it. It’s fun.
What about the growth of skateboarding companies?
Hmmm, big question but the biggest change is the sports brands coming in. Well, Steve Rocco helped to break skateboarding away from the big company brands and put it firmly in the hands of skaters ... Sure he was out for himself, but he was a trailblazer. I find it so odd that today skaters are welcoming multinational corporations back into skateboarding. I really think we are in changing times, capitalism has been shown not to be the best answer. I’m not just talking about skating, look at Greece for example. Assets of Greece being sold off for a fraction of their worth. High street brands like Nike, H&M and co getting prime retail rental at a 50% discount in Athens as they can see a way to use the situation to their advantage, it's quite shocking to see. But people are seeing through it all now, they have had enough. Never mind what's been selling, It's what you're buying. I try to put my money in things I believe in, though sometimes you don't always have a choice. Support what you want though.
Hmmm, big question but the biggest change is the sports brands coming in. Well, Steve Rocco helped to break skateboarding away from the big company brands and put it firmly in the hands of skaters ... Sure he was out for himself, but he was a trailblazer. I find it so odd that today skaters are welcoming multinational corporations back into skateboarding. I really think we are in changing times, capitalism has been shown not to be the best answer. I’m not just talking about skating, look at Greece for example. Assets of Greece being sold off for a fraction of their worth. High street brands like Nike, H&M and co getting prime retail rental at a 50% discount in Athens as they can see a way to use the situation to their advantage, it's quite shocking to see. But people are seeing through it all now, they have had enough. Never mind what's been selling, It's what you're buying. I try to put my money in things I believe in, though sometimes you don't always have a choice. Support what you want though.
It seems like everybody can start a skateboarding company these days, what do you think of that?
I think it’s rad as fuck, though it doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be a lot of shit out there. But the good will prevail. It is interesting how there are almost micro environments for local brands now, it’s still great to see that all the big brands are still more or less here ....just getting a little more competitive these days.
I think it’s rad as fuck, though it doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be a lot of shit out there. But the good will prevail. It is interesting how there are almost micro environments for local brands now, it’s still great to see that all the big brands are still more or less here ....just getting a little more competitive these days.
What should a "real" skateshop be like?
Real skate shops have love, they will give you a bearing when one has popped, let you hang out, lend you a tool. Put on comps for your town. If your shop doesn’t do these things, try somewhere else.
What sort of problems have you faced as a skateboarder?
Skateboarding and the outside world have always been in conflict to me. Family, teachers and the public just don’t understand it or aren’t even trying to. But things have changed, skateboarding is in the public eye so much these days that people who aren't a part of it seem to tolerate it more. When we were kids, everyone hated us ...maybe I miss that a little. Currently my main problem is not having a ramp to skate near me, I
think I should get on the DIY tip.
Real skate shops have love, they will give you a bearing when one has popped, let you hang out, lend you a tool. Put on comps for your town. If your shop doesn’t do these things, try somewhere else.
What sort of problems have you faced as a skateboarder?
Skateboarding and the outside world have always been in conflict to me. Family, teachers and the public just don’t understand it or aren’t even trying to. But things have changed, skateboarding is in the public eye so much these days that people who aren't a part of it seem to tolerate it more. When we were kids, everyone hated us ...maybe I miss that a little. Currently my main problem is not having a ramp to skate near me, I
think I should get on the DIY tip.
Tell us about the things you have experienced in skateboarding which you didn’t like.
I like everything about skateboarding, even the bad shit. Oh, having a skater rob another skater’s bag, that's low but it’s usually a kid’s type thing. Yo flips and switch mongo I'm not so keen on.
I like everything about skateboarding, even the bad shit. Oh, having a skater rob another skater’s bag, that's low but it’s usually a kid’s type thing. Yo flips and switch mongo I'm not so keen on.
Something awesome that you have discovered lately?
Still meeting skaters that are cool as fuck never stops being awesome. I'm here in Greece, my Greek is terrible/non-existent but whether it's Lefkada, Patras, Athens, Thessaloniki, the skateboarders I've met couldn't be more friendly. I was skating on my own and slammed really hard on a small grind box the other day in Lefkada skatepark, caught myself on the metal edge, after the shock I got up and dusted myself off and a little while later I made myself redo the trick and made it. Now as silly as it seems the whole experience felt awesome, I thought to myself this is skateboarding. I went home bruised but fully stoked
Still meeting skaters that are cool as fuck never stops being awesome. I'm here in Greece, my Greek is terrible/non-existent but whether it's Lefkada, Patras, Athens, Thessaloniki, the skateboarders I've met couldn't be more friendly. I was skating on my own and slammed really hard on a small grind box the other day in Lefkada skatepark, caught myself on the metal edge, after the shock I got up and dusted myself off and a little while later I made myself redo the trick and made it. Now as silly as it seems the whole experience felt awesome, I thought to myself this is skateboarding. I went home bruised but fully stoked
What advice would you give to young skaters?
Enjoy it, don’t stress about anything apart from skating with your friends. If you’re good enough and put yourself out there, sponsorship will find you. Though always take any good opportunities given to you in life, you’ll curse the day you didn’t.
Enjoy it, don’t stress about anything apart from skating with your friends. If you’re good enough and put yourself out there, sponsorship will find you. Though always take any good opportunities given to you in life, you’ll curse the day you didn’t.
Any last words?
Well I'd like to thank you Panos for showing me around and taking rad photos; the scene here in Patras is real tight! I've really enjoyed this trip and plan to be back soon. Sending thanks and love to my family and friends near and far, Sourceskate.co.uk for helping me and the Hastings scene. Keep on searching! Enjoy.
Well I'd like to thank you Panos for showing me around and taking rad photos; the scene here in Patras is real tight! I've really enjoyed this trip and plan to be back soon. Sending thanks and love to my family and friends near and far, Sourceskate.co.uk for helping me and the Hastings scene. Keep on searching! Enjoy.