Carlos Young

Paradise Wheels Pro – Carlos Young

Interview by Nick Matlin

Full Name? Larecio De’ Carlos Young

who do you skate for? First and foremost myself. Frontline Skateboarding, Ace Trucks Mfg, FTC, 35th North & Paradise Wheel Co.

what is your paradise? The simple things really. Friends, family, good health, healthy foods, positive vibes, beautiful women, perfect weather 75 degrees with a slight breeze, skateboarding, amazing spots, art, inspiration, motivation ,cannabis, no world hunger, no war, unity, live life, long life, prosperous life, love life!

how long have you been skating for? I quit counting years ago.

best thing about skateboarding? Skateboarding is a bridge that unites people from all cultures and walks of life. It’s definitely a life savior in some cases providing youth with a positive, healthy, and productive outlet. It’s a way of expression. Skateboarding is an art form. It’s a medium used to create, inspire, and motivate. Every skater should strive on being an individual, perfecting there art. Yes, you can be inspired, but on the same token, you need to be unique. I believe skateboarding is lacking that nowadays. Heads just bite. A lot of kids don’t get it. They have based there skating on weak foundations and not the fundamentals. It makes skating boring and uninspiring when every one is doing the same thing, skating the same spots. I really don’t pay much attention to the American scene. It’s not as inspiring to me as the Japanese scene I would say. I love how they skate. Their approach to skateboarding is sick!

how long have you been growing your hair? 14 years? The years all run together now. I don’t even think about it like that. There just apart of me. I have had dreams were somehow they have been cut. And in the dreams I’m devastated, heartbroken. I wake up from the nightmare stoked to still have my mane. My dreads are here to stay. Grow your wool!

what is the best place you have ever skated? That’s a hard one. Japan, not only for the skating, but the entire experience, the culture, the people. San Francisco. There’s nothing like bombing hills. Getting that tear in your eye running down your cheek cause your blazing, while smiling ear to ear. Just pushing down the sidewalk in SF makes you move differently than you would any where else. It’s got that flow. Oakland’s tight as well.

when you not skating, what are you doing? Trying to keep my head above water in this economy. Creating art, you can peep some of my drawings at carlosyoung.carbonmade.com. Writing, learning, blazing cannabis, listening and finding dope music, video games, cooking, friends, chillin’!

who would you like to see on the paradise team? Some G’s. The Donger! Kien Lieu, Paulo Diaz, Sean Sheffey, Brian Tucci, Robbie Holmes, Andrew Dellas, Zach Taylor, Zak Martin, Blue Turner, Forest Haggerman, Will Harmon, Mike Chin, Ryan Casodo, Robin Baker, Mark Wetzel, Rich Adler you get the point.

best part of being on paradise? I have known John Montesi for years. He was a huge inspiration on my skateboarding when I was younger and still is today. I’m a fan of everyone’s skating on the team. And it’s dope you and I are under the same roof with something again, like back in the Supernaut days. Good vibes + good people = good times.

Jah Bless~