Geoff Rowley - Professional Skateboarder. Co-owner of Flip Skateboards and Founder of Civilware Service Corporation.

Don't have a question but just wanted to say I remember killing it with the Geoff Rowley double hardflip on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater back in 1999.

That game was good for skateboarding.

Check out my episode of Epicly Later'd on VICE HERE

Regarding the Animation of Arto Saari wiping out from Sorry. Has the real footage ever been released? Can we see it?

There is no footage of the actually slam, everything before and everything after but no slam, hence the animation.

The XLT's are to this date the best shoes I've ever rolled in. They just felt great. How much input did you have into the design and production? What was it like?

I drew up the whole shoe, every single detail. :)

What have you done so gnarly for a video part, that you would never do again?

Probably the container gap 180 from Extremely Sorry.

What was it like coming to America for the first time, and realizing that the coverage the pros were getting wasn't their everyday skating?

Kind of intimidating actually.

5 more minutes guys and then i have to bounce. Got to drop the guns off to get cleaned. :) Priorities.

Hey Geoff, I met you at a signing at Ambush in Ga a while back. All the skaters there seemed miserable except you man. You seemed thrilled to meet everyone in line. Super nice dude. Thanks for stayin cool! Now onto the question... What made you decide skateboarding as a career?

I just went with what I knew. Georgia has some steady Bucks.

What would be your dream shred session with 5 skaters past or present and what spot would it be?

Danny Way, Tom Penny, Jimmy Boyes, Matt Hensley and Alex Moul. Curb session.

Hey Geoff, did you get the opportunity to meet and work with John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) during the filming of Sorry? If so, what's he like?

Yes. i worked personally with John on a lot of the filming, he's a rad dude, for some reason he took a liking to me. :) Invited me to his house and I've seen him a few times since then. He keeps it real.

Geoff, if someone told you Motorhead sucked, would you kill that person?

I would seriously wonder about their sanity. :)

I'm on here for Vice answering questions about my Epicly Laterd Show, or anything else you want to ask me. Skating, hunting, etc....

What's your very best life advice?

Always get back up.

Can I just say that your part in extremely sorry is my all time part!!! What is your favoirte memorie with Shane cross?

His smile. :)

How are things with Ali Boulala and do you still pay him?

Ali is good, i spoke with him a few days ago.

What's the most you've injured yourself while skating?

The best is yet to come. :)

How old were you when you first realised you could make it as a pro skater?

I used to play as you on THPS as a kid, good times.

I'm still working on making it!

What happened with Andrew Gordon?

Andrew found other things to focus on other that progressing his skateboarding, unfortunately. He was one of the most talented and stylish kids I have ever seen.

Liverpool or Everton?

LFC

Hey man, just wanted to thank you for the years of punishment, and amazing skating. Also the addition of touring on your bicycle is great. Glad to see you exploring out in the open air rather than on the tour bus at 70 mph. Anyway, no question, just much thanks brother for the ground breaking skating, and hope for continued fun and excellence. Peace.

Thank you so much. You're energy is much appreciated. Have a killer day!

How does one aquire the testes to do the shit you do?

You remove the testes from your mind and free ball it. :)

Which trick do you still struggle with that you thought you'd be able to consistently nail by now yet you aren't able to?

Nollie heelflip, i suck at those.

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I appreciate you saying that. have a great day.

So far, what has been the most humbling moment in your career?

Gonzalez SOTY

What is your biggest "trick that got away"? Meaning, a trick that you tried but couldn't quite get all 4 wheels on the ground?

Thank you for doing this by the way!

I never go back, what happened in the past is gone. That's how I view progressing my skating. Some dudes work on tricks for a long time just to document them, if it doesn't work the first time for me...I move on.

Whats your favorite food?-Non-skateboarding related question

Who should we be looking out for in the vans video part wise?-skateboarding question

Mushrooms, beans. Ave is killing it right now!

As someone who doesn't skateboard and works in an office hating his life but has always been interested in the culture, video games, X-Games, etc., can you tell us about something totally insane that you got to do as a direct result of being a professional skateboarder?

Office work is honest work. I have been fortunate to travel and meet amazing people and cultures all over the world.

What business tips do you have after experiencing the building and now owning of a brand?

Start small, have attainable goals. It's like a ladder, don't take that next step until your hands are firmly placed.

I owned a few of your decks by Flip. What was your favorite board graphic with your name on it. (Or did you not skate your own decks)

I liked a target graphic i had around 1999.

hey man, who's got the best no-comply in your opinion? best no-comply trick you can do? have a gnar day

Ray Barbee. Pioneer.

Don't know what to ask, but I saw Vice tweeted this.

How was your day today, Geoff? lol

EDIT: Video's cool. Is "...day today..." redundant?

It's been a pleasant morning, had fun with my Son before leaving the house, about 5 cups of coffee deep...

here's a few questions for you Geoff: Who is the funniest pro you ever hung out with? Also what is the most difficult trick you have done? finally what do you think of the spelling of your name that way as opposed to Jeffrey?

Bam is fun, my name is 'Geoff' not 'Jeff' after my Father, I'm actually a Geoff Jr.

As someone who used to skate a lot and then took a break, the explosion I saw after ~nine years amazed the shit out of me. People are insane today. Now I'd never doubt your talent, but do you personally find it hard to keep it up?

Also, what's the biggest difference in the industry today compared to the 90's? Is there a more competetive vibe today?

I don't measure my personal ability against other dudes, I look to Ed Templeton, Mark Gonzales, Natas, Matt Hensley and other pioneers to inspire my progression. It is always going to be competitive out there, that never bothered me.

Whats coming up with Civilware? Do you have any tips or recommendations for starting a business? Also are you still on the Scooter, what are you currently riding?

He have shooting targets dropping tomorrow! Stoked on that. I would recommend having small goals as a start up.

Hi Geoff, I've been out of the skating world for a while now, but recently got back into it after my nephews praised you as the "best skater ever". I have to admit your videos consistently blow my mind. Oh yeah question- Where's the one spot you want to skate but haven't yet? Cheers.

I have yet to find that golden spot. Next is always the best. :)

One last question. What's the most amazing thing you've seen anyone do on a skateboard? The Jeremy Wray silo ollie comes to mind. Just wondering what has blown your mind.

Container gap. That think was no joke.

That thing was no joke.

Hey Geoff! What was your favorite movie you saw and album you listened to this year?! Thanks again!

the latest Motorhead album is the best they have done since Inferno. I don't watch too many movies but I read a bunch.... Brave by Steve Matthes is a good one.

Saw you wreck yourself on a huge ledge in Berlin back in 99. You got back up. I have had nothing but respect for you since witnessing that.

Never give up. Thanks.

Except for the time you and Boulala forcibly drew PD on my shirt at the Sorry premiere n Tokyo. Then I was kind of like WTF.

Sorry about that. :)

What does Epicly Later'd mean? What's the play on words or whatever?

You'd have to ask Patrick O'Dell about that, it's his creation.

Geoff, have you ever gotten a chance to skate a MEGA ramp? if so, what tricks did you throw down? Also thanks for having Lance on FLIP.

i have skated the mega but i don't enjoy skating with pads. Lance is the man!

How do you like skating in Philly? Would you say it's one of the better cities to skate in America? What is your favorite city to skate?

Philly has that gritty style much like the town I grew up in. Always had a good time there with Kerry, Bam and the dudes.

How did the Rowley Darkslide come to be?

Thats just the way it worked out.

Hi Geoff, other than your fellow Flip/death box riders, who is your fav uk skater ever?

Tony Luckhurst.

when did you know you had "made it big" im skating? What was it like playing as yourself in the first couple Tony Hawks?

I'm still trying to make it! THPS was a great experience, the developers genuinely wanted to capture skateboarding and they nailed it.

I've seen you do many crazy, gnarly grinds. What previously landed grind do you consider as one of the greatest of all grinds, one that you have landed and one that any another skater had landed?

LA Convention Center.

Geoff, one of my all time favorites! Love the way you skate, always have. You and the Flip team have done great things for skateboarding and played a consistent role in skateboarding since I started back in like 95. How good could Tom Penny of been if he stayed active in the scene? He seemed like one of the rawest talents of all time, I can't watch enough of his old footage.

Danny Way, Guy Mariano, Tom Penny...the 3 most naturally talented skaters that ever lived.

Geoff, Did you sell Dave Allen your old Karrman ghia?

No.

would you ever move back to the uk?

Yes. Although the strict gun laws would make it very tough to abide.

i don't know if you remember that one board you had with a drunk fat fuck as your graphic but i thought that was sick, you guys thought about remaking those old designs with the new riders?

We have the same artist working for us again. :)

Hey Geoff, what are you thoughts on the current generation of skateboarders compared to the 90's?

I like MOST of them. The dudes from the nineties were definitely less about themselves and more about overall support.

your all time favorite skate shoe?

rowley pro

howdy geoff!

before I ask this question, I actually met you at Tampa pro a few years ago. i think it was 09 but I'm not sure. I don't remember what I said and I don't think you said much either but you shook my hand and I quickly bolted after fanning out pretty hard haha.

I was really stoked to see and hear you doing commentary on street league this past year. Your passion and knowledge for skating really shined through and the way you spoke intelligently really made the contest more enjoyable. have you ever thought of doing more work like that? it seems like something you would excel at.

Thank you. I enjoyed every minute of doing the commentary, hopefully i'll do it again, if they want me.

Hey Geoff. Yours was the first pro model board I ever got and was the first time I felt like a skateboarder, pretty cool time.

Couple questions I suppose since I have an opportunity to talk directly.

1) What happened with Salabanzi? He was such a sick skater but I heard all sorts of shit as to why he left Flip and skateboarding for a while.

2) Is Ali still a lunatic or has he settled down a bit.

3) I don't have a third but I guess is there anything better to skate than a miniramp? I'm getting older and I can skate them forever without doing too much damage to my body.

1) Bastien had a rough time personally, but is doing great and skating great again. I'm still good friends with him. 2)He has settled. 3)Red curb.

What was your favorite Tony Hawk game, and did you play as yourself or someone else?

The first, and yes, I played it considerably to test it.

Did you agree with how your stats compared to other skaters? I've always wondered this about videogames in general.

I got a good deal. :)

Hey Geoff, where was your best hunting experience? Also, great work on the Rowley lites, best construction I've had the pleasure of skating in quite awhile

Thanks on the shoes, I'm stoked on how they came out to. I love hunting in Arizona, the terrain and density of game is under rated.

geoff thanks for making me want to play you on tony hawk pro skater how was it when you found out you were going to be in the game also is rob diedrek as annoying as he seems on his tv show

I was stoked to be asked. Dyrdek is a cool dude.

if all of a sudden skateboarding would stop existing what would you do with your life?

Hunt. Shoot.

Geoff, do you think David Gonzales would be more successful at Skateboard Park contests like Rune and Curren, rather than Street League?

I think David could win any terrain if he put his mind to it.

What is your favorite skate video that you're not in?

Streets On Fire.

Hey Geoff, big fan. What do you think about high top skate shoes and do they affect the tricks?

High tops are good for ankle stability, or those times that you want more protection. I also think of them as a traditional 'skate shoe' profile and so wear them occasionally to tap into my youth.

Hey Geoff, huge fan and i am glad you are finally doing this. I was wondering if you have ever thought about quitting skateboarding for any reason. Also, where is your favorite place in the world to travel?

Injuries really make you think about the bigger picture, I want to walk when I'm an old man. :)

Geoff, your episode of Epicly Laterd was awesome man. Do you think Penny would ever be down to do one?

I'm sure he would be down.

Would you recommend the striker utility knife to cut griptape?

Not really the best use for a beautiful blade but the metal would hold up exceptionally well, better than any stainless razor blade or folding knife.

Hey Geoff,

What was the worst injury you've sustained? How does it affect your confidence when trying that same trick again?

What are your thoughts on Ryan Shecklers ugly tattoos?

I've broke so many bones at this point, each had it's moments. I never let injuries affect my confidence. My physical ability is what dictates my every move. Ryan's tattoos don't bother me whatsoever, he's a great dude, his character and respect is what I pay attention too.

when did you last skate a vert ramp or pool?

I ride both now and again. Probably a couple of months ago, i rolled on Tony Hawk's ramp and we did a doubles.

Firstly, the sorry series has always been my favorite set of skate videos. I think sorry was my first real one and I was hooked. I still watch it to this day from time to time. So I just wanted to thank you and the flip guys for being a constant source of skating inspiration and just a gnarly group of dudes.

My question- skating just seems to be improving by leaps and bounds. The things that are being done in skating just keep getting more and more gnarly. Even just 10 years ago I don't think most people who know just how far it could be taken. As someone who's considered a pioneer of the sport, do you ever get intimidated by just how rapidly skating is progressing? Like, I'm sure there must be some kind of pressure to put out better and better parts. Push your body to the absolute limits and your mind to the limits of creativity. Do you think about this when you're out filming and planning?

I just focus on my abilities, drawing inspiration from leaders like Natas, D.Way, Gonz, Templeton....

I'm a huge fan. I just wanna say thanks for answering my questions and shredding hard, and I'll keep supporting FLIP and Civilware!

Mucho respect. Be safe wherever you are.

GEOFF. I've been following your career for a long time, and i run through your sorry parts all the time. You were one of my biggest inspirations growing up skating...anyways

• Is there a story behind that shot of you with the mountain lion in Chichagof?

• Most memorable Boulala moment?

• That gap to bank in the intro to Really Sorry was nuts...have you heard of anyone else trying to hit that?

• Last time you saw Lemmy Kilmister? What got you into Motorhead in the first place?

• Flip has one of the sickest teams in skating right now...who should we be on the look out for in the future?

• How did you meet Tom Penny? What is he up to these days?

Mountain lion shot was on Extremely Sorry and it was real, my friend is an animal trainer up in the mountains. Every minute with Boulala was like a comedy skit. Not to my knowledge. Last time i saw Lemmy face to face was about a year ago, Motorheads music is what got me hooked. Louie Lopez. I met Tom just skating in England, he's just doing the same, skating and living.

thanks for answering my stupid questions! got atleast one more: if you had to name one skateboarder to be definition of SF who would that be?

Julien Stranger.