REVOLUTION DAILY

What’s your latest fascination in life?
Other than the Lakers… Instagram! My handle is jamescraig24. My twitter account is www.twitter.com/sml_cliff. Check out the photo file of my life. Also sml. Wheels (small), my wheels company has a site at www.smlwheels.com. We’re also on Twitter and Facebook.

That ACL injury must have been hard to deal with, does it still give you trouble?
It was hard at the time, but everyone goes through trials and tribulations in life and some of those things end up being the things that make you stronger. It has been almost 10 years since the surgery and the only time it gives me problems is when I skate big drops. Other than that, no.

What do you miss most about skating in the ’90s?
What I miss most is skating with my friends who now have careers, which means we don’t get to hang like we used to.

All time favourite Blind graphic?
The Fucked Up Blind Kids Series of High Guy. He (Guy Mariano) was and still is my favorite skater of all time.

5 things you would throw a tantrum about losing if your house burnt down?
Thrasher’s King of the Road 1st place trophy and the art on the walls. Everything else can burn in hell.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind (if anything) when you hear “South African skateboarding”?
The heat! Hahaha I’ve heard nothing but good things. Like the ‘Es tour with Ronnie and Muska in 411 was super sick.

Generally we don’t travel much. Which, in your opinion, is the best country to go skate globally?
Well I’d say it’s a close race with Spain and China. Spain is amazing and in a closer proximity and China is like a video game!

What are your clincher tricks in a game of S-K-A-T-E?
Switch shuv-it under flip. Ask Creager about that one.

Is Liberty Skate Shop still “your” skate shop? The place where you feel at home?
Yes, Liberty is still my shop. Good friends, a fun place to set up a board, skate flat and talk shit!

Are skate shops a dying breed?
I hope not, but to be honest, it’s really hard to sustain steady sales in the current environment, with eBay and so many avenues for kids to get boards. Not to mention larger chain stores starting to have access to legit completes with licensing of brands. The market is very oversaturated. I think we will have another weeding out process for REAL skate shops to get back on top.

Industry plans? Do you own/run any skate companies?
I broke my arm super bad in 2008 and re-broke it 3 months later, so I had to take 11 months off. It sucked because that was the last year of filming for The Blind Video, which was hard because I really wanted that to be a full 100% part with no injury. So I began working at Liberty again, helping with whatever, then started doing buying for hardgoods and some shoes. In April of 2010 the Team Manager job opened up at Dwindle and I put my name in the hat. A few weeks later and the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make I got the job and am now my own TM! I also started a wheels company a few years ago called sml. Wheels (small) with my really good friends. Check out the site at www.smlwheels.com.

Final one. If you could give advice to skateboarding itself in hind-sight of where the industry in the States is now, what would it be?
Don’t take weed to New Zealand because those dogs are good! Skateboarding doesn’t owe you anything, so don’t expect it too. Have fun and if you do get the chance to do it for a living, work your ass off because your time will be up before you know it and you might regret some of your choices.

Interview by AD.