Were you surprised when we put you on the team last weekend?
I was totally in disbelief when I got on the team. Keiran, a few others, and myself were going out bowling that night. It turned out that Cain’s birthday and graduation ceremony just happened, so I didn’t think anything of it when we arrived at the bowling alley and the entire team was there. It was super fun, just hanging and bowling with everyone, and at some point Colin brought over a large tray of shots with my name and congrats on it. Everyone started yelling, high-fiving and hugging me. For a good few seconds I fully thought it was a joke, or that someone else got on the team. Suffice to say it was a crazy night!
Well it was a long time coming. You had the unanimous vote a little after the demo tour in June, but it took this long to get everyone together. You killed it on that tour, you stoked to go another?
Hell yes I’m stoked to go on the next demo tour! I’m still buzzing off the first demo tour. Skating all those sick parks with all the guys was definitely one of the highlights of the summer for me. Flin Flon park was just awesome in particular. There was such a great turn out of locals and parents and spectators at every stop. It was cool to see people really excited about the demos and watch kids throw down. We tented the entire trip too, which was awesome.
Anything specific stories from the trip that you want to share?
There are some good stories for sure, but I’m not sure I can recall most of them fully as we did a good amount of partying. The entire evening at Dale’s house in Dauphin was pretty hilarious either way, and I think Jaret was the most hungover I’d ever seen anyone the next day. Julian and I had a pretty romantic time playing guitar and watching the sunset on the banks of the Swan River, while all of the other guys spent what I’m pretty sure was five hours tubing down it in the dark, freezing the whole time. Besides that, pretty much anything Fane said was hilarious, so I’m stoked to go on another trip with him.
Now that you're on the team and you have the voting power, who do you think should get on next?
That’s a tough call. There are so many really skilled dudes in the city. Logan is really sick, Kian is really sick, Craig is sick, Erik is sick. Oh and Riaan Sawatzky, he’s the nicest dude and definitely shreds. I’m gonna go with Riaan.
In your opinion, what's the gnarliest trick to go down in Winnipeg?
Damn I should have brushed up on my Winnipeg skate history. I’m pretty sure Sascha Daley’s kickflip on law courts is the gnarliest trick to have gone down in Winnipeg, in my opinion, that is. It’s insane. Just standing up top and trying to carve around that statue for a run-up is terrifying. Also Nick Serduletz’s kickflip 5050’s on woods among other enders he’s done always blew me away. I heard a long time ago that Crolly ollied Chinatown? If so, that would probably be up there too.Watching Skrib attempt that was something else. Also, whoever boardslid the legislative building rail.
Who's your favourite Winnipeg skateboarder past and present?
Before I ever met anyone in the skate scene, I would download Wreck videos onto an old ipod and watch them constantly. Nick Serduletz was definitely my favourite Winnipeg skater growing up, but all those guys really got me stoked to go and skate. Now, I think it’s a tie between Julian and Keiran. Skating with those two really blows me away and pushes me to try shit and keep going. Both of them are so good and have such good style.
You working on anything right now?
I am currently working on another part, although since school started in September, it’s been harder to coordinate with everyone’s schedules. I think Julian may be doing another full length, but I’m not completely sure what the finished product will be. We’ve just been going out and trying to make it happen whenever we can and for the most part, have a hell of a time doing it.
Wanna add anything?
This probably comes off sappy as hell, but whatever. I couldn’t be more stoked to be able to do this thing I love so much with such a great group of people. Skateboarding is the best thing ever. Thank you Julian, Keiran, Cliff, Josh, and everyone else. I love you Julia!!
We are very excited to announce that Sk8 Skates is moving! The renovations are underway, new shop coming late 2018. In the meantime, visit us at The Forks Market. To stay up to date on the move, subscribe to you our YouTube channel, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @sk8skates. Featuring Brock Gruhn, Julian Kelly, Fane Smeall, Evan Sinclair, Josh Thorvaldson, Jaret Anderson, Keiran Zimmerman and Colin Lambert. Filmed by Alex Doyle.
We are going to be heading up north to do some skateboard demonstrations around the province. If you live in the area, come by the local skate park and hang out!
Were you surprised when we put you on the team yesterday?
Yes, I thought I was coming to film you with Kian, then I saw Jaret’s car in parking lot, and was like kinda confused. I walked in and saw everyone, then I knew something was up, but still didn’t see the huge sign that said welcome to the team. You had to point it out, I really was surprised. It felt so out of nowhere, it was really hype! I honestly thought I was coming to film you.
Well I’m glad you’re stoked. We all voted last week and everyone said yes. Now that you have the voting power, who do you think should get on the team next?
This sounds bias because it’s my brother, but Kian, he’s so good at skating and has the best style. He just needs to go out and get clips, because he could get some gnarly tricks. Other than my brother, I would say Erik, Logan or Craig. Erik’s so sick and gets the craziest footage, and Craig’s actually so good but he doesn’t even know it. Logan and Craig just need to go out and film more. I know they have the craziness in them, they just need to find it, sounds dumb, but it's true.
Good choices. What made you want to ride for Sk8 Skates?
Growing up all my favourite Winnipeg skaters were on the team, so ever since I was a kid it seemed like the coolest thing. Also everyone on the team are all homies, it’s more then just a skateboarding team. I’ve always been down for Sk8 and wanted to be a part of it. Sk8 has always done so much for skateboarding in Winnipeg and that stood out, so I wanted to be a part of it even more.
Who’s your favourite Sk8 team rider at the moment?
It’s always been Jared Arnason, he just looks like he’s having the most fun ever when he skates. Even just at the edge, he’ll just skate anything in his path and think of a trick right before and while he’s in the trick, he will just decide to shuv out or something, or at least that’s how it seems. His parts just are gnarly and look like he’s having fun and messing around at the same time. He’s always been my fav since his 1987 part. His tricks are so sick and he does his own tricks it seems, makes it even more sick to watch him skate.
As someone that skates big rails and gnarly spots, what do you think the gnarliest trick to go down in Winnipeg is?
You always ask me this, obviously Jared’s boardslide on hydro and Josh’s bs 5050 down the kinked rail across from the Forks, but the trick that has stood out the most would be Cole Middleton’s wallride in blue pool, like I still can’t figure it out.
One of things that really stoked us out about you is that you’re self motivated, no one has to hold your hand to bring you into the streets and film tricks. Where does that come from?
I just love filming, getting any clip is just the best feeling. It’s also just fun going out and trying stuff, especially if there’s a group of homies with you, it gets you hyped up. But like it’s still fun if it’s just you and a couple other guys, filming is the best. I’ve never felt forced to go out and try stuff, I just think of something and go try it, you can’t stress over it, that’s where it becomes not fun.
What is it about handrails that you like so much?
They don’t make you as sore as skating stairs.
When we took you to Minneapolis last year, the general consensus was wow he’s really good at skating, but he can’t order a bagel for the life of him. Were you just shy and nervous on the trip?
Maybe a little, but not really. I knew everyone on that trip and went in the car with Josh and Jaret who I knew the best, so I wasn’t that shy, but for sure was a little. I guess I was just socially awkward ordering my food. That’s literally never happened to me ordering food before, you guys were making me laugh, I don’t know.
Well it all worked out for you. Everyone voted you on and you have a welcome to the team part coming out on the King site right away. What’s next for Fane?
Just filming as much as I can, there’s nothing really planned at the moment.
