Ohio Skateboard Connection

Evan Walker- Cincinnati Skatepark Project

Evan is currently heading up the effort to get the first ever proper public skatepark built in the City of Cincinnati. Despite its long history and impact on the National skate scene, Cincinnatians have never had a legit park to call their own. Evan is working hard to change that. The city is now on board with a plan to build on a location in Camp Washington in 2025, accepting final bids from qualified builders before moving to the design phase.Together we talk about growing up in Orange County, being at the premiere of The End, meeting Jeremy Klein, skating Pulaski, Alien Workshop, the best skateparks in the region and country, and plans for Cincinnati skatepark projects in 2025 and beyond. Evan is a highly articulate, knowledgeable, and passionate dude who wanted to get something positive done for the community. Along with many others, he formed the Cincinnati Skatepark Project to help work with city officials, raise funding, help point the city towards the best skatepark builders in the world, create hype, and project a positive message to the community that this is long past due.Please catch up with Evan and the rest of the Cincinnati Skatepark Project team at their pop up skate event happening this week from Thursday 10/17 through Sunday 10/20 in downtown Cincinnati at the amazing BLINK event.Evan currently lives in the Clifton area with his wife and son.

Kristian Svitak

It’s not everyday you get to spend hours talking to one of your skateboarding heroes, but Kristian Svitak happens to be one of the most humble and generous guys in the skate industry, and we are lucky to call him one of Ohio's own. Hailing from Garfield Heights, no one has ever repped Ohio harder than him. Kristian was part of a memorable era of skateboarding that re-introduced a new generation to punk rock music, individualism in both fashion and trick selection, and a predisposition for throwing down some of the gnarliest hammers in skate history. Kristian’s fearless and hard working style epitomized his blue collar Cleveland roots, and his uncompromising outlook towards skateboarding has been an asset to an industry so often willing to sell out. It’s hard to put into words what it meant to me as a young punk rock kid seeing his last part in Label Kills, which played on repeat before going out skating with friends growing up. After a long stint with Mike V’s Street Plant as well as owning and operating 1031 Skateboards, Kristian recently joined the ranks of the OG legends at Blockhead Skateboards. Check out their excellent new video Heads Up. Additionally, please check out his new podcast and Instagram page, Cleveland Skateboarding Storytellers, for a detailed look into the personalities and history of the Cleveland skate scene. Above all his accomplishments on the board, Kristian strikes me as a loyal friend to many in the skateboard world, and a thoughtful family man that has never forgotten where he came from.

Kenny Bucholz

Kenny was a monumental figure in the Columbus Skate Scene, owning and operating the pivotal skate shop Sunsports with Nick Garcia from 1997-2006, and working there as far back as 1989. He also managed the fabled indoor skatepark in Whitehall until it closed its doors in 1994, watching a generation of local legends develop their skills as young kids. His friendly and approachable attitude was noticeable to any kid who ever picked up a skateboard in Central Ohio. “Uncle Kenny” played a crucial part in sponsoring numerous local rippers, bringing legendary demos to Columbus, and providing a central hub for all things skateboarding until the day they closed their doors at the Polaris location in 2006. On a personal level, Sunsports defined the skate shop experience for me as a young grom getting into skating in the late 90s, forming core memories still burned into my brain to this day. I caught up with Kenny while he was out on the road in his new gig driving a semi-truck. 

Dave Coyne

Dave was generous enough to be my first former pro on the podcast, and I couldn't think of a nicer guy to do it. Hailing from Bridgeport, Ohio, Dave went pro for Maple Skateboards in the year 2000, following breakthrough parts in the independent San Diego video "Trouble Shooters", Maple's "Black Cat", and the landmark "The Storm" by Osiris, one of the most discussed and memorable videos of the era. Dave has also skated for several smaller companies such as Germ, Effort, and Sound skateboards. He has never slowed down from skating, still putting out ripping footage to this day. Dave's story of moving to California with nothing but a few possessions and a dream is particularly inspiring. Check him out on Instagram at @Dazed_n_Coynefused, or at @SlizzaSlicktape to keep up with his everslick product page.  Thanks again Dave!

Kenny Mollica

Our first episode!
Today I chat with Kenny Mollica, from Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Kenny was an early skateboarding pioneer in the 1970's. He was a local at the legendary Apple Skatepark in Columbus, riding for Sims Skateboards, and rubbing elbows with legends such as Rob Roskopp, Bill Danforth, Steve Olson, Duane Peters, Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, and Bill Ferguson, among many others. Along with being an accomplished vertical and and pool skateboarder, Kenny was a top ranked slalom competitor and World Champion in the earl 00's. He tells his story on our first podcast.

Trailer

A new podcast dedicated to telling the history of skateboarding in Ohio by the skaters and artists who made it.