The Rodfather – Rod Ferens
Check out this dope interview Skatenewspot.com did with our Gastown location manager Rod Ferens. Rod has been holding it down in Vancouver for us for a while now, get to know the dude.
Interview: Oleynik
Photos: Christian
Boosh, Swoosh, Juiced. Four years ago, The Rodfather had the first skatenewspot interview. A lot has changed for the former Pegger/Vancouver transplant. Find out exactly what below.
In your first interview, you talked about how much you love Vancouver. You said you don’t leave unless it’s to visit family. Do you still feel the same way about your city?
Ya totally! I just moved into a dope spot with my home boy Luke, right in the heart of the city. It kinda sucks to see a bunch of the homies leave back to the peg, but someone needs to run things out there.
At the time of your first interview you were managing the Canucks store, then you managed Goodfoot. Your new job is different. Tell us about it.
Ya! That was a fun time running Goodfoot, but like everything good, it always comes to an end! I took a job with Take Five trading which was a great learning experience, but unfortunately, it was victim to my wife breakup. I just wasn’t in the right mind frame, and I probably drove Garry crazy with all my shit.
Back then you rode for some serious companies (Nike, DGK, Gold, Venture). Out of the blue you decided to quit them all. What was your thinking with that decision? Looking back, do you feel it was the right thing to do?
Naw, I don’t regret doin it. I hope they gave my shit to someone who needed it, who couldn’t afford to skate, who loves to skate. It isn’t hard to get boards and skate shit, but I remember being that kid who would give anything to get that shit. All those sponsors were about the people behind them, once they were gone, I felt I was gone.
So you work full time, are unsponsored and 35 years old. I heard the other day at the Plaza you did a pop shuv front crook in the middle of the ledge. What keeps you skating at that level after all these years?
Ya now I run Livestock in Gastown, I wish I could say I still skate a lot, but I won’t. Mentally when I go skate, especially with dudes like Wherry, Spenny, Twa, Bryon and Paul Spencer, they keep you thinking you’re on that level, even tho I’m sure I’m not. Also when you just feel the trick that much, and wanna do it that much, usually you do it. Even if I don’t skate that much, you know when I do……it’s on!
It always seems like you try to take care of the people around you, whether it’s through hooking up product or giving advice about things you’ve been through. Do you feel a responsibility as an older guy in the scene/community to try and help it grow?
I think with all the fuck ups I made, and seen how certain people have been successful I just try and look out for my boys! Sometimes it’s just busting balls to see dudes like Robbie light it up. I get hella stoked when my boys make things happen!
What advice would you give to the kids who want to skate for many more years to come?
Skating is a lifestyle! Either you’re in it or you not. If you’re into it, it’s your life.
Do you pay attention to skate videos, magazines and websites anymore?
Not too much, once in a while something will catch my attention. I always get hyped to see Canadian killers!
Who’s skating are you feeling right now in Canada?
All my boys! McD and his whole Green Apple Team, Wherry, Spenny, Trav, Twa, Mc Court, Vince and Trep is nuts!
I asked you this in your first interview and I’m interested if anything has changed: “So if there’s a Micky in your freezer, and you have one drink, what are the chances of you not having another drink?”
Pretty sure that hasn’t changed at all. It just doesn’t happen as much these days.
Last words and thank yous?
Don’t get married! Thanks Matt and Garry! I have the dopest Fam ever! Thanks Benny!
Big thanks to Skatenewspot.com for the write up.
Remember these?
Back in 2006, Nike dropped the one time only pack, taking iconic running shoes and poppin in a fresh new idea, at the time, called the 360 air sole. Now seeing as they were giving the OG Air Max 95 this treatment I was VERY excited, they turned out quite nice, but the badboys pictured below were the cream of the crop, the infra red inside the air unit just worked so well. I’ll be rockin these all weekend for the Air Max 90 Infrared (325018-107) re-release so peep game!
-Cy
Dion Kovac
I stumbled on this part of Dion Kovac, Sydney, Australia OG and proprietor of One of a Kind. Classic late 90’s early 2000 style. My only Canadian comparison would be Tony Ferguson
-Cy
Nike Air Max 90 Infrared’s ( 325018-107 ) X Justene Jaro
Here’s a little promotional video for the Infrared Air Max 90’s ( 325018-107 ) that the guys over at Primitive Productions did with Import Model Justene Jaro. The kicks are now available in store and online HERE
Livestock & Adidas – Livecup 2010 this Sat July17th @Strathcona Park
July 17th Livestock & Adidas brings to you the first annual LIVECUP soccer tournament at Strathcona park, East Field off of prior street next to the skatepark. Teams competing in the tourney will be Livestock, Color Magazine, Guu Izakaya, VancouverisAwesome.com, Red Bull, EA Sports, Know?Show, and Fortune Sound Club.
The event , which will be hosted by Livestock’s very own Cyrus, is a Half Field, Blind Draw, Double Elimination Tournament, which means each team is guaranteed at least 2 games and will advance based on wins. The matches that will be drawn the day of at the pitch are randomly selected.
After each winner’s brackets game the winner moves over to the next blank line and the loser goes to the corresponding letter in the loser’s bracket. After each loser’s bracket game the winner moves over to the next line, but if your team loses while in the Loser’s bracket you will be out of the tournament.
Games will be two 15-minute halves with 5-minute half time and 5 minute lost time. (40 minute total) In the case of a tie, there will be a shootout.
Come out to support your favourite team, enjoy some food catered by Guu, kick back and listen to some music brought to you by our good friend Dj Age on the Red Bull Sound System.
Donations in support of Right to Play will be gladly accepted through out the day, Right to Play is a great cause that helps to improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play for development, health and peace. Be there bright and early – Kick off is at 11am!
Go Skate Day Vancouver – June 21!
Get ready people, Color magazine has put together a doozie of a go skate day this year, with a fresh concept and hosted by our very own Cyrus. For an example of what Vancouver will be doing this Monday June 21st, check THIS out
Wild in the Streets 2009 from Knabelkcorb on Vimeo.
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