Interstate MAG

by Gary Smith

I know sometimes the truth can hurt, but the reality of it is we can’t all be as good as Eric Koston. This doesn’t mean you need throw in the towel just yet. If skateboarding has been your long time dream, then there are ways to still live it.
The ways I’m talking about are actually easier than being a pro skateboarder. You can still enjoy almost all the same perks but with less risk involved. You won’t have to grind that 72stair rail for an ad instead you could be the one filming/shooting it.
Filming/photography is one of the best ways to still hang out with your favorite pros and get to go around the world for free. Just like skateboarding there is skill and style involved. Any monkey can hold a camera but to capture the trick right is the art of it. Filming/photography is just as important as the trick.
So there is a lot pressure with this career path. Say you get the opportunity to film/shoot Bucky Lasek do a nollie kickflip Mctwist, but oops you left the lens cap on, your career is done before it even started.

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An introduction to Rodney Jones By Thomas Rowe
I have known Rodney Jones since he was 10 years old and three feet tall. We rode for the same skate shop, Baltimore’s legendary Sports Elite. This was back in 1990 when fellow team member Bucky Lasek’s star was rising. Having a great vert skater like Bucky around and great nature urban terrain in Baltimore helped combine to make Rodney one of the best transion skaters around. Speed freak “Rodneck” is fun to watch and as he cruises through any park or mini ramp.
Always with a smile on face, it’s easy to see why Rodney is so well liked by so many in the industry. His I phone is the phone book of the skating world. George Powell is one of Rodney’s friends and his boss. George saw his potential and gave Rodney his 1st Pro model in 2002. Six years and five Pro models later he still rides for Powell by way of Positiv Skateboards. Other sponsors include Lost Clothing and Drinks, Airwalk, Dakine Backpacks, Heater Wheels, S.O.C Skate shop/Park, and now the Interstate Nation has got his back.
Traveling the world to compete he is an internationally-recognized rider. After a couple of years living in San Diego he now resides back in Baltimore. The East Coast welcomes him back and he can regularly be seen riding at The State of Confusion Skate Park in Baltimore.
Rodney is also dedicated to giving back to skateboarding which has given him so much. As an Interstate contributer he will answer questions that you may have about skateboarding, sponsorship, industry news, or life. It’s a great way to connect with a real positive skate who is a true ambassador of skateboarding.
We are proud to welcome him to the Interstate Nation as he represents all that we are.

Congratulations to Interstate Nation member “xXphillyXx” from Toronto, Canada!
He won Interstate’s Thanksgiving deck give away by expressing how thankul he is to be a sk8er. Not bad for a guy from Canada, they don’t even have Thanksgiving.
Interstate thinks the deck will find a good home up north. Philly is a skate fanatic and can be found in the Interstate chat room regularly chatting it up about skating and flirting with the ladies. We apprieciate his participation.
While reviewing the entries, we came across STUNZ who wrote about how tough it is in Houston and how uses skating to rise above the trouble on the streets. Interstate is based in Baltimore so we know about trouble in the streets. So we are going to send STUNTZ a new limiited edition Interstate deck for his efforts and his contributions to the network!
Thanks to all who wrote in. Look for more promos and product giveaways in the near future!
Links: Send the winners a message-
xXphillyXx’s Interstate Page
STUNTZ’s Interstate Page

Interstate would like to wish all of our members and visitors a Happy Thanksgiving!
After you are done with the turkey and stuffing, GO OUT AND SK8! Don’t sit around with grandpa and watch football. Spend time with your real family, you and your board. Go visit your favoite curb, hit your favoite ten step. If you have a local park go there. Thanksgiving is about a day off from school or work to go out and skate. Be thankful you are a sk8er!

One thankful sk8er will receive a free LG Championship Deck signed by this years 2007 LG Vert Champion, Pierre-Luc Gagnon. Hang it on your wall or ride it!

Here at Interstate Nation we are thankful for you, our members! Everyday we see more and more sk8ers coming together, sharing photos, videos and stories. So we say THANKS for coming to our site and sharing your experiences of sk8 life.

We want to know why you are thankful to be a sk8er. Tell us on the FORUM section and do it before Sunday the 24th. [Direct Link]
Also thanks to our friends at Kaos, LG, and PLG for the deck!

They’ve come from Australia… and from Poland… and from the UK. We knew they would come strong from the USA… and it warms our skater loving hearts that our new online skater network already has over a 1,000 members from all over getting to know each other.
Never before has the skater lifestyle been as influential on pop life everywhere and InterstateNation is proof that skaters come in all shapes and sizes and hold true to the skater mentality.
It’s all about the skating and Interstate Magazine is proud provide a forum for skating to be promoted all over world.
Join or Tell a Friend and get on board with the Nation.
link: InterstateNation