Chaz Ortiz is a really rad kid who absolutely loves skateboarding.
The first time I skated with him, he filmed about seven or eight bangers in a
day. What shocked me most was that the first thing he did when we returned to
his house at the end of the day was ask if I wanted to skate the funbox in his
driveway. Here was the Dew Tour champion, Gatorade-sponsored, Zoo York pro, who
had just handled his daily skateboarding obligations and then some, and all he
wanted to do was skate for fun in his front street like a typical 16-year-old.
That day speaks volumes about the kid. He wasn't skating for the fame or money;
he's already attained those things. He was skating that day, and skates
everyday, because it's in his heart. I can't help but respect that.
I caught up with Chaz in between sessions to see what he's been up to lately.
Here's what he had to say.
Skating
I've been skating
at Warp Skatepark. I skate with all the
homies here in Chicago. I skate the park all the time, I like everything that's
there.
Tricks
You can never learn
every trick in skateboarding, so you end up learning stuff every time you're on
your board, I think. I'm really feeling fakie flips right now, like fakie flips
into grinds and slides.
Filming
I haven't been
filming lately, but I'm gonna start again really soon. Well, I've been filming
shit at the park, like just stuff I've been learning. But when the weather gets
good I'm gonna start street skating and filming my part for real, you know?
Videos
I watch Paul (Rodriguez)'s
iTunes part all the time. I check The
Berrics for new footage, too.
Salad grind to fakie. Cronnan sequence.
Killing
It
Micky
Papa, he kills it. He can do so much stuff on a skateboard, it's sick. And
he's a cool kid, I'm hyped on him. And Wade
Desarmo, too. I've been watching his parts forever. Since I was real young.
Product
I've been skating
my black and red pro model for Zoo. I like that one. And skating DC shoes.
Contests
It was cool to win
the Dew Tour again, definitely a good accomplishment. Street League was good.
I'm just waiting for things to start up again. It's always good to have time
off though, just skate for fun.
The Burbs
I love living where
I am (Dundee, IL), other than the fact that the weather sucks sometimes. Other
than that, it's chill. I don't like living in cities.
High
School
High school's
whatever. Fun, but I would just rather be somewhere skating. It's all good
though, just something I know you have to do.
Travel
Last trip was to
Colorado for the Zumiez 100k. That was fun, got to snowboard and hangout with Eli
(Reed) and Ron (Deily).
Music
I've been listening
to Lil' Wayne and Wiz Khalifa.
Food
Lots of pasta!
Gadgets
I'm on the iPhone.
All Apple stuff! Best thing.
Wise
Words
Live your life. That's all you gotta do.
--------------------
Related:
On
The Horn with Micky Papa
Chaz
Ortiz: Underage and Over Talented
Turned
Pro For Zoo: Chaz Ortiz