To turn his back on an industry where it’s generally understood that people will do whatever it takes to get-and to keep-their name on a board or a shoe to devote his time and energy on family life and running his scaffolding business takes a unique kind of single-mindedness, and Carl’s straightforward approach to living and his illuminating, refreshing honesty are rare in this world. The photos Carl got throughout the ‘90s are some of the most instantly recognisable, burned-into-the-brain examples of how good skateboarding can look, and his healthy disregard for playing the industry game a valuable reminder of why we started, of what the fundamental reason for skateboarding is and how much fun it can be.Ĭarl just wanted to ride his skateboard, and ultimately the opportunity to do that in peace with his family around him, in his home town, had far greater appeal than doing it on his own pro board with the biggest names in the world at the most famous spots while constantly having a camera pointed at him and being expected to tour, compete and play the part of a top-level pro. From skating Nottinghamshire curbs with friends to touring the world with skateboarding’s first ‘super team’ and back again, Carl’s approach to skateboarding has always been about friends, fun and stylishness, regardless of what’s going on around him. It’s no understatement to say that Carl Shipman is one of the greatest skateboarders to ever come out of the UK, and while he himself might not agree with that, I don’t think he’ll care that I’ve said it either.
But I’ve seen Yadin (Nicol) ride it and he’s more snappy.INTERVIEW BY NEIL MACDONALD ( / PHOTO BY KATRINA SHIPMAN
I’m more of a heavy-footed, rounded surfer and it let me do carves or whatever. They feel good.”īetter for drawn out cutbacks or tight jams in the pocket? I guess it’s the foam? They all feel the same. *Picks up board* This one says ‘eco board project?’ Yeah, no idea what that means. “I don’t even know what those things are to tell you the truth. I ride mine in 5’2”x 2 5/16 x 19 just with the large template CI quad fins.” “I’ve ridden it in good waves all the way up to eight feet. Those guys are my favorite surfers and inspirations to me” he told Stab. “I always liked what Nate Fletcher and Mike Ho were riding. I just said ‘give me a board that will keep me in the water’ and they came up with it.”īobby’s been riding quads almost exclusively for the past eight years. It’s kinda been my savior for the past six years. “It’s a good little board for shitty little gutless days.
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