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Pro Skateboarder A Conversation With Ed Selego

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Nick Williams, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

Updated: 12/18/2007 09:55 pm

Gaither High graduate Ed Selego is a professional street skateboarder. He started on the board in 1988 and has been on a roll ever since.

The 29-year-old military brat has competed in demos and tours in places such as Korea, Israel and Sweden, and has been seen in skateboarding videos such as "One Step Beyond" and "Inhabitants."

He also is sponsored by skateboarding companies Planet Earth, Adio Footwear (which also sponsors Tony Hawk, Bam Margera and Shaun White), Habitat, Satori, Independent, and Skatepark of Tampa (SPoT). He is also the co-owner of M.I.A. Skate Shop and Skate Park in Miami.

Selego recently talked about his profession with The Tampa Tribune.

What has been the highlight of your career?

The highlight has been just traveling and seeing the world. I've been to Japan three times, Korea, Dubai, Israel, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Italy ...

What music do you listen to before you skate to get pumped up?

I pretty much listen to all types of music. Not so much pop. Rock, punk, reggae ... right now I'm getting into the old stuff, some (The) Mamas and the Papas.

How would you describe your skating style?

Street skating. I really don't know how to describe it. I just be myself.

What's the state of tricks in pro skateboarding right now?

It's getting more technical. Before, it used to be about going for the big rail or the big gap. Now videos are coming out with the latest tricks. It's made a big impact. Guys are doing stuff that's never been done, different variations. This one video is called "Fully Flared."

Jake Brown made national headlines for falling 40 feet during the 2007 X-Games. MTV has a show dedicated to action-sports spills called "Scarred." What's been your worst skateboarding mishap?

I was trying to ollie over a water gap and I got knocked out. I had a mild concussion and I scrapped my eyebrow.

How'd you get connected with SPoT?

That's when I got my start, when I was in high school. I became good friends with owner Brian Schaefer and manager Ryan Clements. I worked there. They have a team they sponsor. I've been on the team for probably 10 years now.

What's the biggest misconception about skateboarding?

That all skateboarders are alike. They tend to put us in the same group. We all like a certain type of music, we're all punks or gangsters. There are all sides to every spectrum.

If skateboarding didn't exist, what would you be doing?

Playing music or playing soccer.

What instrument do you play?

Everything. Well not everything. Mostly guitar.

Will you ever stop skating?

Never. Skate until I die.

IF YOU GO

Tickets for the Jan. 17-20 Tampa Amateur skateboarding contest at the Skatepark of Tampa can be purchased at the park, which is located at 4215 East Columbus Drive, or at skateparkoftampa.com

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