Terence Bougdour:I saw vert skating on tv and found it spectacular…
Terence Bougdour is one of the top vert skaters in Europe, I’ve seen him ride at Urban Games and Newquay Boardmasters, and he never ceases to amaze me.
A:How old were you when you first started skating?
I was 11, maybe I had a skateboard before, but that’s when I’ve been into
it.
What made you want to start skating? Did anyone inspire you?
I saw vert skating on TV, and I found it spectacular, and it really seemed
to be fun so… I was inspired.
How long have you been competing professionally?
something like 8 or 9 years.
What is it about Vert skating you like so much? How does it compare to
street?
I really enjoy trying a new trick for days, month or year and then landing it: you get so much satisfaction and you feel really proud. It’s like beating up a giant. It’s a little bit like that in street skating with first ollie, first rail, first gap …etc.. but it’s nothing compared with first 540, Flip indy, 720, rodeo…900! and also just a drop in.
How does the skate scene in France compare to the UK?
There are really good street skaters, but we are only 4 or 5 five guys
riding vert! Here in UK there are lots of kids that are really good at vert!I think the mentality in France is too much into riding little curbs, and criticizing people doing big stuff with their board. In France for a lot of skaters, the Danny Way mega ramp is not skateboarding. And I really think this is the future of skateboarding. What I mean is the UK scene has a more opened mind. When I saw those kids in newquay, I felt like: “those kids have fun, and that’s where they get their skills from…” Haven’t seen something similar in France for awhile…/p>
Name some other skaters you have been particularly impressed with recently?
I would say Shaun White… he is inventing another level of riding, Danny
Way of course Pontus a young kid from Sweden learning 540’s easily, and all those kids from UK once again.
Tell us about the equipment you use?
Carbon Fiber Deck (revolution skateboards) it’s so much lighter, get more
pop and last longer.
What’s the atmosphere like skate contests in the UK contests? Do you all get on or it is competitive?
Everyone would tell you: “we are just here to have a nice session with
friends blah blah blah” It’s maybe true but it’s also very very competitive. You compete to win…not to lose… otherwise you just skate during the practice and that’s it. And bigger the price money is, harder will be the “FIGHT”
Describe the feeling you get when your skating?
Speed, Flying… controlling… Anything every single man wish to do.
Do you do any other extreme sports? And how do they compare?
Yes I do Snowboarding also… it’s really different but it helps a lot with rotations feelings.
Who are your sponsors?
Billabong, TSG, Revdeck, and SP skateshop.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into skating
professionally?
don’t think about being professional, if you enjoy what you do and you are not too stupid the rest should follow.
What are you plans for the rest of the year?
Learning more tricks and doing more events,…progressing I guess
This photo was borrowed from www.lgactionsports.com
