Lodge Guest, Joel Ahola
Where do you currently live and where are you from ?
I’m from finland, born in the south, living in the south, City of Espoo.
Tell us a little bit about your past ?
I used to snowboard alot because of the snowy winter of finland, kind of thought that i was supposed to do that instead of skateboarding. Even though i’ve always loved skateboarding more than anything.
Why skateboarding ? How did it start for you ?
I was maybe 4 years old when i started asking my parents to get a skateboard. finally got one when i turned 7. The first 6 years was mostly not knowing anything, just pushing around and doing ollies. Didn’t have smartphones back then.
What size set up, wheels & trucks do you currently ride ?
8.3 or 8.4 board, switching up with the wheels 54 or 56 depending on where i’m skating at, 149 trucks.
Any sponsors ?
ovan eyewear, they make sunglasses @ovaneyewear. I’ve been testing these hybrid skateboards called napalmcustom you can find them on instagram @napalmcustom they got new technology on making the boards pop and last longer!
Who is your favorite skateboarders ?
Jimmy Wilkins, Curren Caples, Louie Lopez, Mason Silva.
School, work, not working or other occupation ?
Working as an electrician at the moment.
How is a normal day looking for you ?
Working from 7:00 to 15:30, go home cook, food, head to the vert or suvilahti diy, skate until 21-22, go home, sleep, repeat
Tell us how a good long weekend is looking for you
Skate with friends, barbeque, go to some nice place to chill with friends. Just have fun!
Summer is slowly ending, how was your summer ?
So good! Learned a lot of new tricks, had so much fun and got to know a lot of new people
Any new projects or missions 2018, you wanna talk about ?
Just trying to learn to skate vert better and see if i could do a 540.
Who are you hanging out with at the moment ?
My finnish homies
Who and what is your motivation at the moment ?
Nothing matters unless i’m at the highest level on the things that i do
Last country you visited ? and what happened there ?
Denmark, Copenhagen. i went there for two weeks just to skate. I thought the cph open was going only to berlin, so that was a nice bonus to see some of my favorite skaters killing it!
What was the last gnarly thing you witnessed ?
Rune Glifberg skating the vert in fælledparken, without pads. That guy is fearless!
What was the last item you bought ?
Supreme waist bag..
What do you do besides skateboarding, do you have other hobbies, other interests ?
In winters if not skating, going out snowboarding and filming snowboard stuff. Playing piano and guitar.
What is your to go to restaurant, you wanna share ?
Not really going to restaurants that much, but lately good sushi places that you can get vegan sushi.
When you cook food, what do you cook ?
Different things, avocado pasta with roasted chickpeas was the last thing i made.
Whats your top 3 favorite drinks ?
Water, orange juice, aloe vera drink
How do you see the future of skateboarding ?
Fun as always!
Who do we need to interview on the lodge ?
Mikael Rautio this young g rips! https://www.instagram.com/mikksu
Last words, did we miss anything ?
Go big or go home!
Follow me on:
As a dude that started riding well for over 4 decades ago, and owns over 400 + skateboards, and can now qualify for senior discounts, two words of advice, as I still board at least once a year. You don”t skateboard downtown near Main street, you board in residential areas (Santa Clara is great for riding) or do tricks in skateboard parks if that”s your thing. 2nd, helmets are a good idea, (But honestly I”ve never worn one) but I never ride without wrist guards. When you get to your 30s, it is nice to be able to open pickle jars. You are lucky to be alive unlike the guy that bombed Snow Canyon. Hopefully this is a wake up call. Mine came when I was 9 years old and rolled on street pavement for almost 50 and skinned up my body pretty bad. I remember the days when riding barefoot on steel and clay wheels ruled the day. And although it is supposedly not cool to ride with a helmet until you learn truly learn how to fall off of a skateboard, riding without a helmet is not a good idea. A basic jujitsu class is a good idea. Good luck, keep riding, but ride smart.