Lodge Guest, Kyle Tabor
Invert at Phishlips I. Rex Singleton photo
What is your name ? Kyle Tabor
Where are you from ? Maryland via Michigan via Maryland
How old are you ? 45
Sponsors ? I\’m a Crane Operator and they sponsor my bills for services unrelated to skateboarding
Board, Trucks & Wheel size ? Dads Skateboards (8.25?) Thunder Trucks (149\’s?) Bones 58\’s
What is your normal skate terrain ? Everything. Shitty backyard transitions is where I started. Vert, mini. Evolved to street but round wall has been the biggest challenge
Why do you skateboarding the first place ? Skateboarding saved my life. I first discovered skateboarding in 1978 . A.DD., Broken home, bad relationships, bad friendships, addiction, depression, etc. I\’m in a good place now though. Messed up kid made good and I can thank skateboarding for that.
Tell us how a great day is looking for you Its usually on a Saturday or Sunday. Wake up and spend some time with the wife and kids. I love skating but it has to be solo when I meet up with the homies. It\’s a personal thing for me.
Do you think your parents wanted you to skate ? No not at all. In 1987 I learned rock and rolls on this ramp in Fraser Michigan. I was so stoked. I finally got my dad to come out and see what was up. He was like, “you quit baseball for this”? HaHa! I had a grin ear to ear and was like yep!
What is the future of skateboarding ? The future is now. A lot of rad kids coming up but it’s not just them keeping the preservation. Guys like Sam Boo, Derek Krasauaskas and Matt Dove remind me daily that age is only a number
How are you doing at the moment ? Are you fit for fight ? Life is good! I have a soon to be 6 year old. It’s not about me anymore. It’s about this little guy and I’m trying to be a great dad.
Have you been on any mission(S) lately, you wanna tell about about ? I need more missions. I have so many friends here on the east coast that are so inspiring. They don’t know it but I am able to live vicariously through them. My friends draining pools to building DIY to being artists to being the most resourceful individuals you’d ever meet.
Who do you normally skate with ? I’m pretty solo these days. I’m a bit of an introvert these days. I am just doing my own thing lately.
What is your plan this summer ? No plans. Day by day. Paycheck to paycheck
What is the future of vert, street or bowl ? Do you see any new directions ? Clay Kreiner seems to be a steady directionality
What motivates you at the moment ? Peace and quiet. Sam Boo, Matt Dove, Derek Krasauskas, Jeff Swayne, Bob Pribble, Mike Mapp . Creating a better life for my family
Any thank you’s ? Thanks to George at Modern Skate and Surf, Rich Pond, Peter Furnée, the guys listed above.
Random storys ? I have a lot but Bill Danforth did my tattoo’s. That is all.
How does it feel to be on the lodge ? Amazing! I knew I’d never be invited but it’s nice that you are allowing ordinary lifetime skaters like myself to speak a few words.
Best Lodge interview / post you have read and why ? My friends because they are my friends
What do you want to know about other skateboarders, do we miss a question ? Nothing
Follow me on:
