There are many words that could be used to describe the skateboarding artistry of Derek Swaim, but for now let's just go with pop, flick and flow, and let the man himself fill in the rest. The last few years have been massive for Derek - his skating is become known far beyond his home zone in the BC Interior. A stand-out part in Sophomore Jinx last year within a stacked roster, as well as consistent mag and on-line coverage, helped prove his worth as one of Canada's most skilled up-and-comers.

With the heavy hand of Element Skateboards pushing him along, it should only be a matter of time before he's living on a beach in California, reminiscing about those snowy winters in Kamloops...or will it? Known for his smooth style on his skate, Derek broke down what gets him through his days for us. Ever wanted to know what he listens to? What Scientology-practicing movie star he worships? How he fights? Or even how he gets romantic? If you don't know, now you know.

"Have you ever seen one of Derek's video parts? Good lord! I had the pleasure of going on a tour to Texas with him a while ago and was blown away by his talent... I remember watching him skate flat in the blistering heat for hours, landing trick after trick like it was a joke. [He's a] real mellow dude and down-to-earth with the 360 pop shove of a god! No lie: Best three-pops in the business!" -Dave Nolan, Element team rider

Sponsor style: Fresh, some day's hesh.
Nickname style: Rock.
Hometown style: Wax to the max.
Board shape style: Love the way it curves.
Music style: 2Pac. T.I., Biggie, Eminem.
Social networking style: Creepin' Facebook.
Grooming style: Freshly shaved.
Romance style: What's that?
Communication style: Body language, hand gestures... maybe verbal.
Website style: Youtube.
Phone style: Speaker phone.
Hair care style: Hand brush.
Transportation style: Bike that goes vroom.
Movie style: Action, comedy, anything with Tom Cruise... [laughs]
TV show style: Seinfeld, Fresh Prince.
Confrontation style: Step on toes.
Training style: Push-ups.
Fun style: Cruise the bowl, or the river on sunny days.
Post-skate food style: Senior Froggy.
Binge drinking style: Puking.
Payment style: Cash. Or favours...
Computer style: Crawl speed.
Indulgence style: Kitties.
Riding style: Asian. Wait... what kind of ride we talkin' about? [laughs] Doggy-style.
Contraception style: Hmm...
Holiday style: Sure.
Pet style: Meow before oven pre-heats.
Education style: Buck wild.
Enemy style: Hater steez.
Terrain style: Flat-ground.

FS crook, flip out. Caissie sequence.

What's the best part about living in Kamloops? Why haven't you moved to Van-california yet?
Well, the skatepark is a three-minute drive from my house, or a 10-minute skate away, and it's amazing... That's def' one of the best things. And also, the river is real close to the park, so when it gets too hot to skate or you need a break, you can hit that up. I guess I haven't moved yet cause I've been stuck here. [laughs] But I do plan on getting there, though.

I hear the Interior is pretty big for the puck bunny scene. Do hockey players still get all the girls in Kamloops? Or are skaters getting their fair share now that skateboarding is "cool"? 
[laughs] Oh, god... I don't know. Hockey probably has many more fans.

How do you deal with the snowy winters?
For the past winters -- all except for last one -- we've had the Calvary Temple, this church that let us skate in their gym and keep all our skate boxes and rails there, but they found out some insurance issues where they can't cover us, which is insane ‘cause they have been letting people skate there for 14 years or something. So last winter was lots of shovels, scrapers, and chronic.

You just came off a banging part in the Sophomore Jinx movie not too long ago... Any filming projects you are working on right now? 
I'm getting tricks in Benny Stoddard's new vid called Tens and I'm filming for an Element Canada video.

What can be learned from reading The Game?
You'll have to read it to find out.

The best part about skateboarding is?
When you can't ollie, quarter pipes and spines, pumpin' bowls...

Any closing words?
Go, Matt Berger, go! Thanks to Judah, Chad Albert, and everyone who films and shoots and waits for me to land shit.

45 Tricks at The Sweatshop with Stacey Gabriel and Derek Swaim

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Related:
Derek Swaim in The Sophmore Jinx
Count 'Em: TENS
Young Folk Online