Exit skate team interview: Josiah Gatlyn

Back Smith
Photo: Jon Spitzer

First and Last name?
Josiah Gatlyn

Age?
20

Sponsors:
Stereo, Dvs, RVCA, Usko, Theeve, Ashbury, Select

Born:
Goldsboro, NC

Now Residing:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Who do you live with?
Well back when i was living in Huntinton beach i was taking trips back and forth from Cali to Florida all the time visiting my girlfriend Andrea and skating and stuff. Around December 09' i decided to just move here because i managed to get a lot more stuff done here than in Cali. I needed a solid place to stay so i contacted my friend Uli that i've known for a couple of years. He owns the local skatepark here. I've been staying with him ever since. He's helped me out so much. He has a wife and 3 kids but still lets me stay at his house. It's crazy. He had a car given to him and gave it to me. That was probably one of the most insane things that has ever happend to me. When i was living in Cali i never had a car, nor was even close to having one. When i moved here i managed to get my license and a car. So now i'm out skating as much as possible. Most of the time while i'm working i'll stay at his house during the week and stay at a filmers house on the weekends and go out and get stuff done.

What’s the first thing you do to start your day?
I've been interning at a design firm for the past couple of months, working 3 days a week. So i usually wake up, get ready, check my email. Then drive up to Mcdonalds and get a McGriddle and an ice coffee. Then head to work.

How often can you be found skating at the Berrics?
I haven't really skated there in a while. I think the last time i was there is when i filmed my game with PJ Ladd. I'm going back up there soon though to film for some more stuff, so that will be fun.

What’s the first flip trick you usually do a day?
Probably a frontside shuvit, or tre flip.

Have you ever skated vert before?
Yeah a couple of times. Never tapped the coping before though.

If you had to, would you rather try the mega ramp or try the loop?
Probably the mega ramp. Ever since seeing footage of Brian Schaefer almost breaking his body in half on the loop at Tampa in 2001 i've never even wanted to attempt one.

What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Sweden. It was the first time ever being out of the country and it was the funnest time i've ever had.


Before you got on Stereo what kind of boards did you skate?
I was riding for Untitled skateboards.

What do you like about Stereo boards?
The originality of their graphics and the homies.

How often do you go to the Stereo headquarters?
Not as much as i'd like to. Been in Florida for a while. When i was in LA i'd go there every week.

Favorite food?
Chinese, Chicken wings, and Salad.

Favorite thing to do when not skating?
Work on different designs and ideas for Usko (uskocollective.com), play Call of Duty, and hang out with friends.

Favorite place to skate?
Too many to name. I have a bunch of spots i like to go and film at, and some to just go skate. For awhile i'd come up with a new flip trick i'd just learned and want to film it down something. It was this double set called Jungle. I remember i'd film a new trick at it like every month. Other than that there is this secret ledge spot in a warehouse my friend Josh built. It's super fun.


Top 3 movies of all time?
Rush Hour 2, Iron Man 2, The Beach.

Top 3 skate videos of all time?
411vm issue 44, Habitat Mosaic, Fully Flared.

When can we expect to see another full video part from you?
The upcoming Stereo video.