Wade Speyer Interview, he had a Slayer board graphic but it said "Speyer"instead of Slayer

Wade is a true legend. He's been everywhere and done it all. Recently he's been showing up at some local events around The Valley, killing it, with the same style he's always had. Check it out....
Interview: Joey Young
Photos: Jamie Camp












What was it like skating the legendary Powell Warehouse?
IT WAS PRETTY COOL, BECAUSE EVENTUALLY I ENDED UP RIDING FOR POWELL, AND GOT TO SKATE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE I WOULDN'T HAVE REGULARLY GOT TO SKATE WITH.

Did you know at the time that your skateboarding was influencing kids all over the world?
NO, CAUSE AT THE TIME I WAS LOOKING UP TO SO MANY PEOPLE, I DID'NT EVEN THINK THAT SOMEONE COULD BE LOOKING UP TO ME. IT DIDN'T EVEN CROSS MY MIND.

Your crooked grind at Hubba Hideout was I believe the first or at least the first documented trick do it. How did it happen?
I WAS SKATING "THE 7" AT EMBARCADERO ONE DAY AND I OVERHEARD SOMEONE TALKING ABOUT A LEDGE AROUND THE CORNER. SO BRYCE KANIGHTS AND I WENT THERE AND HE DOCUMENTED ME DOING THE NOSE GRIND. SINCE THEN I THINK EVERY TRICK HAS BEEN DONE ON THE HUBBA HIDEOUT.

Did the whole small wheels, big pants thing effect you much?
YEAH, THAT’S WHY I NOW WEAR WRANGLERS. I TRIED THEM A LONG TIME AGO THEY WERE TOO BAGGY.

What about the Think Video 'Damage' That is a very influential video. Talk about filming for it.
YEAH WE FILMED FOR OVER A YEAR, IN JAPAN, ETC.

You kill vert ramps. How did you learn to skate vert like that?
LEARN TRICKS ON THE SMALL RAMPS, THEN TRY IT ON THE BIG ONES. TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL . JUST KEEP TRYING.

Is it scary to do big air to fakie and stuff like that?
NOT REALY.
Big Backside Air P: Jamie Camp
It seems like you and Cardiel were definitely keeping the hesh alive in the '90's. How did he influence you?
HE WOULD ALWAYS FIND THIS WEIRD SPOT AND KILL IT AND NO ONE ELSE COULD EVEN RIDE IT.

Do you think it's important for pro skaters or skaters in general to have a backup plan for their skate careers?
EVERY BODY SHOULD HAVE SOME SORT OF BACK UP PLAN NO MATTER WHAT DO.

Lately I've seen you at The Ranch and the Ripon area a lot. Have you always been around that area?
MY GRAND PARENTS HAVE LIVED OUT HERE FOR 35 YEARS SO I'VE BEEN HERE EVER SINSE I WAS A KID VISITING AND IVE LIVED OUT HERE NOW FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.

What have you been up to lately?
SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY MICHELE, AND MY SON HENSLEY, WHO IS SIX MONTHS OLD, AND MY DAUGHTER MARIA WHO IS 11 YEARS OLD.

Any future plans as far as skateboarding goes?
JUST TAKE IT EASY AND SKATE HERE AND THERE.