Photos by Ray Zimmerman/Vans
This weekend’s Pool Party at the Vans combi pool was another classic weekend of gnarly skateboarding. The event had everything, from the upcoming padless crew who have tech skills for miles, to the legendary skaters that bring classic airs and lip tricks who have paved the way for the current scene throughout the years. The question is though, should the ‘ams’ who are running riot at comps like these come away with ca$h money after a weekend of putting the work in?
Despite ams being able to out-do some pro’s on the circuit with their new found skills, legendary pro Steve Caballero doesn’t think so today. In an open letter to his Facebook friends just now, Cab reached out to his followers to deliver this message below, calling for ‘ams’ to be ams and Pro’s to get paid to do a job. So who is right and who is wrong here?
I respect Cab’s opinion as he is one of skateboarding’s most giving people and as a result his opinions are not be disrespected on here whatsoever, but what are your views on this ongoing debate?
Should ams get paid or not? Should they compete to raise their status and leave the dough to be collected by the pro riders, or should their skills be rewarded too?
Read Cab’s letter and please let us know what you think in the comments ↓ below.
“Good morning everyone,
I try and keep a positive attitude as much as I can with whatever that’s put in front of me and that’s how I’ve been able to cope with life from years on end, I don’t sweat the small stuff… Because It’s only small stuff:) but there’s one issue in our skate industry that still bugs me to no end and that’s…Amateur skateboarders who get paid for skateboarding or who have entered pro events (accepted the money prize) to later claim.. An amateur status in our industry :(
PRO is short for “professional or profession” which means anyone who makes a living or gets paid $ for what they do!
AM is short for Amateur which is supposed to mean, not getting paid or a person who hasn’t received any $ amount, it has nothing to do with how much talent you have.
So if your “claiming” an amateur status, yet still continue to receive prize money or a monthly income from your sponsors, guess what… your Pro!
I’ve been wanting to say this ever since I heard that Amateurs had started getting paid years ago and someone created a contest that’s called… “Ams getting paid”. This is the one thing that our skateboard industry may lack and that’s integrity.
I may be wrong, but the last time I checked this is how it all started in my career back in the early 70’s. Thanks for listening and have an amazing day.”
Cab
DISCUSS THIS HERE ↓