Tom Sampson Interview

This Interview with Tom Sampson was done by Daniel Yeoman, one of the team at
Da Klinic.com

DaKlinic.Com: Hello Tom, for those readers who don't know much about you could you just tell us how old you are and where you live
Tom Sampson: I'm 24 in June and am currently residing in Baulkham Hills, NSW.

DaKlinic.Com: I know you have been in the Australian scene for a long time, when did you first start skating and what gave you the urge?
Tom Sampson: I first started skating when I turned 14. I saw this crazy kid fly by me skating down a hill that would scare me today. I instantly decided that was for me. Back then it was street hockey and riding stairs. No one ever heard of grinds on skates then the infamous video "Dair to Air" finally made it to the country. Edwards was hitting up all these rails and my eyes widened with disbelief. Since then I've been hooked, unable to look back.

DaKlinic.Com: I have been skating for quite a while also and have seen the scene in Australia go up and down. I have noticed a dramatic increase of support for inline in the past six months or so. Many more ramps popping up and most importantly the release of four Australian inline vids and also some new skater owned clothing brands. I think skating in Australia is heading in the right direction at the moment. Do you think so? When in your eyes was the best time for skating in Australia and do you think we have the potential to take it there again?
Tom Sampson: Right now skating is starting to be run by the skaters. This is the turning point for the stability of our sport. The people who are running these companies, Darkside Productions, 32#1#6, Daklinic, Twenty Four Seven Clothing, are going to be the core of the Australian Industry. They will not give up because the money is no good. They'll be in it because of the love of the sport. It is a very strong and positive direction to take and is becoming the strongest time for skating in our short history.

DaKlinic.Com: Everybody knows that you skate. Rollerbladers are talented people and usually have skills in other areas. what else do you like to do with yourself?
Tom Sampson: I also love to Breakdance, Pick up beautiful girls, and recently i've been trying to use my brain to it's full capacity. No everyone I'm not a dumb ass. It is a fact that every human uses only a small percentage of their brain. If you think of the possibilities of what you could achieve with a full brain capacity you'd be amazed.

DaKlinic.Com: Would you buy a top which had written on it "Rollerbladers do it better"?
Tom Sampson: I'm not sure I'd buy that top. Cause you'd probably get some gay ass wood pusher saying "What, you take it up the ass better?". I have respect for skateboarders, but only skateboarders who actually appreciate the time and effort going in to what you do. At the local park, near my house, I have skateboarders standing up for me. Some blow in comes to skate our venue, gives me shit and I've got 10-20 guys behind me ready to rip this low life to shreds. Were all a tight unit and it's good to know there is someone there for you.

DaKlinic.Com: Most repulsive taste or smell you have experienced?
Tom Sampson: Beer. I used to mess myself up on that shit when I was younger. The smell and taste repulses me immensely. I very rarely drink nower days mainly because of the influence of two individuals. Cesar Mora & Martin Lachmann. They are both very strong and intelligent individuals. Not to mention talented. Very positive role models.

DaKlinic.Com: Favorite music?
Tom Sampson: Depends on the situation and mood. I like Hip hop to dance to. Soft rock to chill with and hard rock/80's metal to skate to. My favorite bands are Iron Maiden, Metallica, Blackalicious, Snoop Dogg & every one under Dr Dre, Coldplay, Ben Harper and My brothers band Able. They just recently won the Channel V Leg up competition. Very proud of him I am.

DaKlinic.Com: Favorite movie or video?
Tom Sampson: Any good skating/breakdancing vid. They've kept me going when I'm injured or hurt. Plus they are inspirational and make me want to progress and improve.

DaKlinic.Com: You have been in the states recently when where you over there, and who did you go with?
Tom Sampson: I went last year to go on tour with Chris Edwards and the D-Tour. We, Ian Brown, Justin Buchanan, Kayd Anderson and myself, traveled from Philly up to Province, RI for the Gravity Games. Then we went on to Montreal to spend two weeks trying to pick up as much French Canadian language as we could, as well as sexy chicks. We then received news that it was to be cancelled and we wouldn't be on the road to X-Games in San Francisco. We hooked it back to Philly and hoped on a flight to San Fran, attended the X-Games and competed in the very first IMYTA. Unfortunately Eric Schrijn knocked me out which sucked but he won it so it sucked less. From there we had no where to go so Ian and myself went to Utah so I could compete in an ASA amateur comp. After a lovely stay in Utah we bused it to San Diego where Iannos and Adam from Tasmania met up with us to wreck the streets of SD. Shortly after the ASR I ran out of money and prematurely came home.

DaKlinic.Com: You would have skated in a totally different scene with a whole bunch of different people. Who did you get to skate with while you're over there? Are there many dope skates out there that we don't get to hear about?
Tom Sampson: Philly rocked the house with style and finesse. I really like the East coast style. Jeff Fredrick and Dustin Halleran influence me most. And the SD city kids are definitely rugged and raw. Check the DB Photo issue to confirm my beliefs. Most of the skaters you see on video's are as good if not better in real life. But they are only people like you and me so the things they accomplish are not too far as you think they are.

DaKlinic.Com: Are you planning on going back to the states, or anywhere for that fact this year or in the near future? This Years World Championships?
Tom Sampson: I don't think I'll be traveling this year. Unless I win Lotto. That's hard without a ticket too. I've gotta pay my own way to go anywhere unfortunately. And every time I come back from America I'm broke as hell. I've gotta build a bank account for the future. If anyone wants to they can fly me back to the US. hint hint, wink wink.

DaKlinic.Com: Who do you ride for?
Tom Sampson: USD skates, Vert-X skate park

DaKlinic.Com: What is your plan for your future, skating and non skating?
Tom Sampson: I want to do so much stuff but can't because of money restrictions. I want to make a skate, open a skate park, distribute skate products and clothing. Academically I want to go back to uni to study. But that can wait till my legs fail me and I'm incapable of skating.

DaKlinic.Com: Thank you so much for your time Tom, is there anything you would like to add ?
Tom Sampson: Yeah. Kids, get excited when you skate. Also be excited for the people you skate with and encourage each other to push your limits. Feed off each other and you'll progress beyond your dreams. I always skate better when I skate with people ready to back me when I'm about to huck something crazy. When you have that dick who is telling you not to do it cause you might get hurt. Tell him to go back to the kitchen and cook a pie cause that type of pussy can stay at home.

Roll On, Tom Sampson