Lodge guest, Michael Niemann

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where do you live and where are you from ?

Born and raised in Houston, TX

Tell us a little bit about your past… 80s ? 90s ? 00 ?

Started skating in the early 80s, stayed pretty underground in the middle 90s still riding big boards and wheels, Rode the wave of all the new parks in the 2000s, Just trying to grind my trucks in my late 40s now. I mainly skate ditches and pools if I can. I avoid the parks most of the time. I guess I’m getting anti-social or something.

Why skateboarding ? How did it start for you ?

Me and some BMX buddies went to this ditch to ride our bikes. There were all these punk looking teenagers there skating and raising hell. From that moment on, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

What size set up, wheels & trucks do you currently ride ?

8.8-9.25, 56mm wheels, and Ace 55s

Any sponsors ?

I co-own a little skate company called Cockfight. I get a little love from Ace, Surfhouse, and Powerflex.

School, work, not working or other occupation ?

Been a Digital Electronics tech at AT&T for 23 years. I just do Cockfight on the side….mainly for fun. There is no money in it.

 

Backside Tailslide(Backside Layback) – Jeff Bower photo

How is a normal day looking for you ? 

Usually involves work, get off around 330 and then try and hook up with my son or friends for a session.

Tell us how a good long weekend is looking for you

It usually involves my son and me cleaning and draining a pool or two. He has pool fever real bad. It almost always involves friends, skateboarding and cold beers.

 

 

Ez-7 Ditch Houston, TX – Jack Newkirk photo

 

How was your year 2017 ?

It was pretty damn good. We did a Route 66 skate trip that was epic! 5 Dudes, tents, pumps, guns and skateboards. Hit all the spots and met up with a bunch of buddies along the way.

What are your plans for 2018 ?

Make more good memories. I would like to get my knee working again as well. I might need a little cleanout surgery.

Any new projects or missions 2018 you got going on you wanna talk about ?

Want to do a another west coast pool mission. This time head up north at I-5 and skate with all those dudes.

Do you read books ? if so, what do you read ?

I read a bit. I usually always have a book going. Right now I’m reading Devil In The White City by Erik larsen.

Who are you hanging out with at the moment ?

Always my son, Matt Niemann, Adam Wiggins, Dozer, Grubbs, Schlag, and my girlfriend Sara.

Who and what is your motivation at the moment ?

Not letting age get the best of me.

What else is going on ?

Trying to keep Cockfight rolling. We have some fun new projects coming up. We just did a Tony Farmer model which has been a goal of mine forever. Dude is pure motivation!

What do you do besides skateboarding, hoboes, other interests ?

I like to mountain bike, camp, and do a bit of motorcycle riding too.

What is your to go to resturant ?

Teotihuacan Mexican Resataraunt in Houston

When you cook food, what do you cook ?

Easy shit.

Whats your top 3 favorite drinks ?

Beer, water, coffee

How do you see the future of skateboarding ?

I wish it would completely die again. It is so much more fun without all the Johnny-come-latelys

Do you you have other hobbys besides skateboarding ?

Reading ,Mountain,Biking, Motorcyling, Traveling.

Who do we need to interview on the lodge ?

Tony Farmer

 

 

Faith Bowl 2013 – Ray Cosrove photo

 

New year is here, how do you celebrate new years eve ?

Went to Hawaii with my lady. NYE is my birthday, so we got to celebrate there.

 

Lockhart, TX – Big Ryan Smith

 

THANK YOU ?

Thanks to all the dudes that stoke me out, all our team riders, my radical Son, and anybody that has ever hooked us up with spots or a place to crash, or supported Cockfight.

Last words ?

Thanks for inviting me to do this. I love skateboarding with every fiber of my being. I wish more kids would get out there and hit the road, build spots, drain pools, tresspass and all the real parts of skateboarding.

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