I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about the first time you get involved with anything that makes it truly memorable. With that being said, do me a favor and close your eyes for a second. Do you remember when you first tried skateboarding? How about the graphics on the bottom of the first skateboard you actually owned? If you can remember the answers to these questions then kudos to you. Seriously, you deserve a round of applause and a pat on the back. Now wouldn't it be cool if we could actually ask one of today's top pro's what got them started in their early days? Well readers, you're in luck. I recently had the chance to catch up with Canada's own Spencer Hamilton to see if he could remember a series of "firsts" throughout his skateboarding career. Here's what he had to say.
FIRST TIME SKATEBOARDING
I don't know. I was like 5 or 6 years old.
FIRST BOARD YOU OWNED
I don't know. I don't think I even looked at the bottom of it. I pretty much bought it at a garage sale and started cruising.
FIRST SPONSOR
My first sponsor was my local shop, Top Of The World. The old team manager called me after a contest I skated in; I think I did a kickflip body varial and a boneless...haha. I was 9 years old.
Halfcab flip. Odam sequence.
FIRST TIME YOU BROKE A SKATEBOARD
Probably when I was like 14. That's when I started getting that rage.
FIRST DECISION YOU REGRETTED WITH SKATEBOARDING
I can't think of anything.
FIRST PHOTO PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE
Skateboard Canada, when I was 14. Thanks Bridges.
FIRST INTERVIEW IN A MAGAZINE
It was in one of the issues of Concrete Skate Magazine a few years ago. When I moved out to Vancouver from Ottawa, I was 16 I think. My friend LJ did the interview with me and it ended up being about 7Eleven and strawberry milk. Haha, thanks Cassie.
FIRST CONTEST YOU WON MONEY AT
It was out in Vancouver at the Underworld game of s-k-a-t-e on a ledge on Granville street. I won about $200 I think. Straight to the green habits.
FIRST SKATE ROADTRIP OUTSDIE OF CANADA
I went to Ohio with all the fuckin' boys. It was actually pretty fun 'cause we ended up going to that DC Plaza that Rob Drydek built.
Kickflip. Caissie sequence.
FIRST VIDEO PART (CAN BE A FEW TRICKS OR A FULL LENGTH PART)
I shared a part with my homie Gio in the Top Dollar video that Top of the World made a while ago. My first actual part was in a vid called (re)public that Jai Ball helped produce.
FIRST PAYCHECK (WITH WHAT COMPANY? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH IT?)
Nomis clothing, and it went straight to the rent!
FIRST INJURY (A BAD UNJURY THAT LEFT YOU OUT FOR A BIT)
I ruptured my spleen when I was about 13. Two times in the same summer! I didn't skate for like 8 months after that.
FIRST GRAPHIC THAT YOU WOULD HAVE ON A BOARD COMPANY
MONSANTO KILLS!
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Related:
Shop Props: Top Of The World
The Follow Up: Stange Brew
Wade Desarmo and Spencer Hamilton Footage