Lodge Guest, David “Malachi” Smith
Photo Courtesy of Blane Lopez taken at Brook Run Sk8park Dunwoody GA
Where do you currently live and where are you from ?
Currently reside in Marietta, GA USA relocated from Shrewsbury PA when i was very young
Tell us a little bit about your past ?
Long Pitch Black Hair and lots of Metallica…Hahaha grew up sk8ing with Marietta, Cherokee, Lithonia and Atlanta Locals some are still around. Influenced by Don Hillsman, Jimmy and Dave Obrien, Lucky enough to sk8 Ramp Ranch III in Tommy Kays back yard and Thomas Taylors ramp a few times, nicknamed by the infamous Rancheros
Why skateboarding ? How did it start for you ?
like any other kid i started off with soccer and baseball but as i look back on this i think i never really found myself to be a team player which led to bmx and eventually sk8boarding.
What size set up, wheels & trucks do you currently ride ?
Right now im riding our own BW “Bandwagon” shape made by Drifter MFR in Woodstock, GA its 32.375″L x 8.75″ tapering to 8.5″W with a 15″ wheelbase. I ride Indy 169’s with 60mm wheels either Speedlab 101a Juggernautz or Bones SPF 5 with Bones Swiss Ceramic or Superfly Speedball 6 ball Bearings
Do you have any setup rituals, we need to know about ?
I used to mark the front of my board on popsicle shapes but have recently started riding shapes so i dont need to do that anymore.
Any sponsors ?
Myself Haha I’m actually Co-owner of “Bandwagon Skateboards” something me and Robbie Colins started up about a year ago for the love of skateboarding. We only hope to put out some cool graphics, T’s , banners and so forth. It’s not a money maker for us we both have great jobs that allow us to do what we do
What kind of skateboarding do you prefer ?
Vert skating for sure…although i do appreciate all types of sk8ing there are so many talented sk8ers out there im always amazed by peoples individual talents and styles ill always be amazed by sk8boarding in general
Do you have a great skate spot in your home town you can recommend ?
Yeah actually myself, Brian shellnutt, and Mike Stewart just built a beautiful Vert ramp 20 minutes from my place at Stewarts House 11′-9″ tall, 36′ wide covered in Skatelite, with steel coping both sides.
Who is your favorite skateboarders, under and over 30 ?
There are so many rad sk8ers young and old i hate to name anyone in particular but if i ever wanted to sk8 like anyone in particular it would be Mike Frazier or Jesse Thomas
School, work, not working or other occupation ?
Dropped out of College after many years of night school, Designer at multi disciplinary Architecture and Engineering firm since 1994. Theres usually not a lot of money in sk8boarding unless you are one of the token few so word of advice to the youngsters get yourself a good job that pays well and allows you to afford travelling and sk8ing.
How is a normal day looking for you ?
Usually at work at 6am working on a variety of Engineering or Architecture projects throughout the course of the day. Anything from Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants and Systems, Schools, Roadways, City Buildings and the like with associated permitting and oversight. Off usually around 4:30pm at which time i catch up around the house, go for a bike ride or get together with the crew to sk8 usually at Brians Bowl during the Week or Stewarts Vert ramp on the weekend. Other than this i stay very busy with ongoing projects like my 1934 Ford Hotrod Truck or messing around with my 67 chopped Triumph Motorcycle
Tell us how a good long great weekend should look for you
Caught up around the house and free to hit the road for travel to new or old sk8 spots, contests, nearbye mountain biking trails or even working on building new ramps. When the scene dies around you i’ve found you either hit the road or build it yourself!
Any big plans for 2019 ?
Hit as many Sk8 events as time and money allow and keep Bandwagon Skateboards going
Who are you hanging out with at the moment ?
My Local Crew…Robbie Collins, Ken Forsyth, Brian Shellnut, Mike Stewart, Chris Pulley, Eric Musto and so many others
Who and what is your motivation at the moment ?
Im lucky enought to afford travel these days and just the fact that the sk8 family is so rad makes me want to get out and see everyone as much as possible…its really something special and along with the travel comes the opportunity to site see(Museums, Landmarks, Historical Locations, Art)its nice to see the history of places, where they’ve come from to where they are now.
Last country you visited ? and what happened there ?
Oslo Norway for site seeing and sk8ing at Skatehalle with Pontus and his crew…great time by the way and just got back from Malmo Sweden Vert Attack 2019!!
What was the last gnarly thing you witnessed ?
Justin Rivera and Ian Landi running into one another at Vert Attack…Really Scary…glad both are OK
What was the last item you bought ?
Ha some small lead figurines of a Viking, a horse and a Viking ship from the Vikingskipshuset på Bygdøy, Oslo Norway
What do you do besides skateboarding, do you have other hobbies, other interests ?
Play Guitar, Mountain and Road Bike, Build stuff like Hotrods, ramps what ever.
What is your to go to restaurant, you wanna share ?
Not nearby but if i’m in Chesapeake Beach MD im going to Abners Crabhouse!
When you cook food, what do you cook ?
Seafood
Whats your top 3 favorite drinks ?
Water, Sweet Tea, Banana and Honeycrisp Apple Smoothies
How do you see the future of skateboarding ?
It’s going to be interesting to say the least
Who do we need to interview on the lodge ?
Peter Pfurnee
Do you ever think about a future with no skateboarding ?
I hope that doesn’t ever happen. It’s literally one of…if not the best thing anyone could ever be a part of….it’s colorblind, it’s individually and family based, it opens doors to the world
Last words, thank yous, other, did we miss anything ?
I’m just thankful for sk8boarding and this wonderful ride i’ve been on for so many years. Hope this will continue and thanks to all of you for your support you know who you are!
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