Mud Smith, They/it, Denver CO, 21.

Photography © Sam Alan , Natalie Alen , Taylor Stack

1. What’s your current skate mood?

Lately I’ve really been trying to let the sesh take me where it wants to! I think some sessions certain tricks or elements will just click more than others. Sometimes I show up and I feel like I’m really nailing it on tech, other days it’s flowing in the ramp, sometimes I need to get upside down 1000 times, and sometimes it’s a mixture. I’ve found I learn way faster and feel so much happier when I just follow those clicks.

2. Last trick that made you yell (yours or someone else’s)?

My friend Sprout just did their first really solid frontside grind! That had me hooting and hollering!! I think I spend a good 90% of any given day yelling though…

3. Spirit animal?

Lately I’ve been increasingly obsessed with the Lammergeier (bearded vulture.) They’re so beautiful and I think I very heavily relate to their scrappy nature. We also have the same eyebrows. And like baths.

4. Do you remember the exact moment skating became more than a hobby?

I think the biggest moment for me would’ve been going to Milano Quad Fest being properly sponsored and invited. Leaving the country for the first times in my life for this thing I love so much was surreal. But even before that I remember getting my first pair of skates from Chuffed when I joined the team. That was such a gaggy moment.

5. Coming from cold rural Idaho to warm urban Denver, how has your local scene changed, and how has it shaped your skating?

Truly the biggest difference is just how much larger the community is here. My home town is teeny tiny, so I’m lucky there were other quad skaters there at all. Whereas Denver has skating galore. The inline scene here has been around forever, and it keeps growing. The aggressive skaters here have been so welcoming to me and quad skaters in general. I love skating with and learning from the crazy skilled folks here, I’m really grateful for it.

6. What gear actually matters to you and what’s overhyped?

Helmets can never not be underrated in my opinion. While I definitely don’t believe in telling people how to treat their own body, I truly force myself to wear a helmet every time I skate. I’ve known way too many people with horrible concussions and injuries, brain surgery even. It’s so easy to trip once and change your life forever. I’m not tempting fate like that!! I also pretty much always wear a soft knee pad. I tend to tap my knees or roll over them quite often, so having that extra padding helps me avoid those little slams.

7. Biggest lesson skating has taught you so far?

I think skating taught me to be comfortable in my own skin. Ive gotten so much more confident in just being myself and not staying locked into my social anxiety. Turns out its way easier to talk to people if you stop trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t fit you.

8. What’s one thing people don’t see on social media about being a pro skater?

It’s hard to say honestly! I think my brain is wired so weirdly I never really know what other people are thinking. But I’d guess folks think the insecurity or feeling bad at skating goes away. The amount of time I’ve spent watching a clip being like “this was so ugly and bad” is astronomical. That hasn’t changed almost at all since the beginning. But there’s a balance to when I listen to that voice and when I don’t!

9. What was a highlight moment in your skating journey you’ll never forget?

Premiering BROOD XIX in Milan was absolutely the singular most insane moment. But the highlight for me is definitely the Aussie tour last year. It was so magical and gave me such a renewed love of skating😭

10. What’s one piece of advice you wish you got earlier? (Skating or life)

Be nastier!!!! Get icky!!! The dirt and grime will always be a part of everything so embrace it!

Bonus lightning round

Loose or tight trucks? Tight!

Favorite song to skate: Any Slayyyter song

A skater who inspires you: Michael Kraft my goat 🩷

Perfect ramps or DIY spots? DIY all day

Favorite place to skate: Long flat rail 🫦

Next destination: Napping on the couch

A skater people should keep an eye on:@bladeberto

Favorite food: Red bull & goldfish

Dream trick: Fakie 720

Roller skating needs more… Stupidity!! Put a fart in ur reel

Rider check 10Q Mud Smith

Bonus lightning round

Chaya Summer breeze