There’s nothing like ending a year with a discussion with arguably skateboarding’s finest technically gifted, all rounder. Enjoy Daewon Song’s end of 2011 round up and expect more ground breaking magic from his big bag of tricks next year.
So, let’s reminisce as far back as January with your New Year’s Dae edit, how long did that part take to put together and what was your most enjoyable trick from it?
That part had footage from 2 years back. I never got to use it and as soon as the Berrics mentioned doing the New Years Dae part I started filming for another 3 months. The funnest trick in there was the 360 flip in that narrow full pipe! I got worked but it was so worth it and fun.
Other than that edit, what are the most satisfying personal moments of 2011?
Any day where all my friends are off of work and we go skatepark hopping! We don’t get to hang out all of the time and skate so these times are fun. Taking my son bowling for his Birthday and getting that hug too!
Over the years, what skate trip was most memorable looking back?
Australia was the worst and the best! First off, I was with a lot of friends filming for the DVS Skate More video. That trip was insane. Hot, annoying and crazy! We had a few of the worst people on that trip but traveling with Gabe (aka Beergut), Daniel Castillo and Colin Kennedy who now works for the Berrics and did the New Years Dae edit was fun. On that trip I also remember trying to fight Reda from meeting him for the first time. We became really close friends from then on. So much fun!
What music did you listen to mostly throughout 2011?
I’m backing the old Mobb Deep album or a lot of Radiohead songs! It’s real slow but I need that in my life. I also listened to the Alaska in Winter album a lot which was the song in my New Year’s Dae part.
If there’s one story to tell from this year that none of us would know, what is it?
The smoke alarm went off for all the hotel rooms and I unplugged the fire alarm in my room because it was loud! Ten minutes later, six fire trucks show up and two cops! I’m thinking what the f#@k is going on!! They want people to evacuate …….and then I’m thinking my alarm was going off because it’s serious! Well, they finally came to my room and look around and spot that I unplugged the alarm. They look at me in rage and explain that “as soon as you did that, it notified the Fire dept and the cops!” Wow, I used the wrong firewood and the smoke set it it off and I was charged an additional fee! Haha!
OK, let’s talk tricks. What was the most satisfying trick that you made this year?
I got one trick filmed at a manny drop/manny b4 in Torrance. They put a gate around it! Kind of sketchy but at least I got it and maybe try it again somewhere else. It’s a 180 fakie manny fakie bigspin heel to manny.
What are the newest tricks in the bag?
Backside 360 ollie nose wheelie and lasers a little more consistent on transition.
What’s the trick that got away?
Switch bs 360 ollies!
Best trick that you witnessed in 2011?
My homie Jon’s double laser heel at Paramount skatepark! He works at the airport, has 4 kids and still handles business.
If you had to pick one person, who would be your MVP of the year in skateboarding?
I wanna give it up to Torey Pudwill! He handled business and me and him have a lot of new plans with DVS!
What are you looking forward to most about 2012 personally?
Filming for my new Almost part and working on new projects for DVS and MATIX, just enjoying the simple things in life and loving my son!
What are your top 3 skate video edits of all time?
1. John Cardiel – Transworld part
2. Sean Sheffey Life video
3. PJ Ladd – Wonderful, Horrible Life
Do you watch many skate videos these days or are you glued to the web?
I just watch everything! YouTube kids that are having too much fun and freedom!
Let’s wrap this up with a message for kids wanting to get sponsored out there…
Focus on fun and then get up and try! Do what you feel, not what you see!
Shouts to:
DVS Shoes, Almost Skateboards, Gabe Clement, Luis Cruz, Matix Clothing, Spitfire crew, Swiss bearings and Tensor.