Off The Rail Magazine by Off The Rail Skateboarding Magazine

OFF THE RAIL ISSUE 1

Mark Donahue Photo: Mark Perez

Brad Roberson Photo: Adolph Sanchez Jr

Matias Torres Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

Luciano Vallejo Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

Cristian Caballero Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

CONTENTS 24

22 Meghann Bourassa gave us an exclusive interview, on life in California, and her girl skater crew, “The Santa Cruz Lady Lurkers”

Off The Rail Magazine, Manchester UK

We endevour to ensure that all the information enclosed is true and correct, and that all photographs are credited to their author. The views expressed in the articles and interviews are of the writers and interviewees. Magazine Editor, Jake Platt

12 12 Our main feature in Volume 1 is an exclusive interview with Chilean skateboarder, Rafa Galaz.

45 We have an exclusive interview with one of Montana’s finest photographers and skateboarders, Colin Cassidy.

We met up for an exlusive interview with the long Haired, Big Air master, Jared Bollen.

Brad Roberson Photo: Adolph Sanchez Jr

RAFAEL GALAZ e x c l u s i v e

Popularized by the production of wine and copper mining, the Valparaíso region (5th region) of Chile is also the birthplace for Skateboarder, Rafael ‘Rafa’ Galaz. Born and raised in the city of Quillota, in the Aconcagua River valley, we caught up with Rafa to bring you an exclusive interview on life in South America.

Rafa Galaz Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

Rafa Galaz Photo: Arturo Perez

ey Rafael, How are you today? Hey, I’m very good thanks. Right now I’m travelling with the Russian ice circus, all around the country and skating everywhere we visit. The Russian Ice circus! That flexibility must help your skateboarding performance! What was it like growing up as a skateboarder in Chile? Yes it really does haha! Growing up as a skateboarder in Chile has been hard, but satisfying. People don’t understand the idea of it, and they wont let you skate because they don’t see skateboarding as a serious thing. In the end, my willingness to skate is what motivates me to keep doing my best, that’s the best part about it. What is life like in Chile right now? It’s a good life, I recommend Chile. We have a lot of opportunities and jobs, reasonable times to skate and good places to spend your money! Since it’s not easy to make a living out of skateboarding here, you’ve just got to enjoy it.

Where is the best place to be in Chile? Valparaiso is the best place to skate here in Chile, also it’s a great place to live and visit, it is a really big city with some good spots just around the corner.

A couple weeks ago I saw a French video where they skated Paris, so I’m looking forward to traveling there and saving some money. But if you ask me about skating, I’d love to do it around the world.

What made you pick up a skateboard? Sometime ago, my friend Leo had a board and we didn’t know anything about skateboarding so we both started learning.

Did any skaters inspire you when you were growing up? If so, who? A lot of guys really, but the ones that always skate with you and never stop doing it, those are the most admired even though they break their entire body.

Where do you want your skateboarding to take you? Are you searching for sponsorship? I want to travel and go wherever life takes me, as long as I can skate. I’m not looking for sponsors but if they want to help me, I’ll accept that and skate for a lot more. I’m thankful because I already have 3 sponsors, who are Sunrise Skateboards, Imsomnio wheels and a local skate shop called Ground Board shop, all of them from the 5th region of Valparaiso. They saw something special in me and I try to return the favour. If you could skate any spot in the world, where would it be?

How popular is skateboarding in Chile? What can be done to make the sport grow? It is very popular, everybody knows each other in the country or in the area, and so you always have a place to stay in other cities. Increasing the scene would be easier if some guys wouldn’t believe that they own the streets, this is supposed to be about fun and sharing good moments. Have you had any embarrassing moments when skateboarding? Yeah! A lot, but the one I remember was when there was some pretty girls

Rafa Galaz Photo: Silvio Rodrigo OFF THE RAIL MAGAZINE

Rafa Galaz Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

“Growing up as a skateboarder in Chile has been hard” and I started showing off, and hit a piece of metal that was sticking out of the curb, I fell but the girls helped me hahah. How old were you when you started skating? When will you stop? I started skating when I was 15 and I don’t plan to stop even if I am old. Riding a board will always be more entertaining than watching it. What do you do when you are not skateboarding? I like playing my guitar, taking care of my dog Luna, going to the beach, knowing people, sharing with my

friends and family, I don’t like watching too much TV though. If you were to cook us a traditional Chilean lunch, what would you make? I’d prepare some beans with Chilean salad and some good Chilean drink Sounds good! What music do you listen to? I like a variety of music but when I skate I always like to listen to Radiohead, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Pink Floyd. What would you say to a kid who has just started skateboarding?

Go skate and don’t ever quit skating because it makes you push yourself to the limits, to be able to fly, jump, slide etc., it a nice feeling. If you could only own 5 possessions, what would they be? My skateboard, my guitar, my dog, a nice box to skate and the last thing… nah, I can’t say hahaha. Thanks for catching up with us today Rafa, Where can our readers check you out? You can check my Instagram @ rafaagalaz or my Facebook page: Rafael Galaz. Peace!

Rafa Galaz

Victor Morales Photo: SilvioJr.Rodrigo Adolph Sanchez

Rafa Galaz Photo: Arturo Perez

Monochrome Summer 1. Adidas x Neighborhood Jacket - 2. Primitive Deck - 3. Levis Crew Neck 4. Northweek Sunglasses - 5. DC Shoes Mikey Taylor S2 6. Levi’s Skateboard 511’s Geary

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Jonathan Mendez Photo: Arturo Perez

Roberto Troncosso Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

ailing from the famous surfing town of Santa Cruz in California, Meghann Borussa and her all girl skateboarding crew, ‘The Santa Cruz Lady Lurkers’ are inspiring growth in the sport amongst women. Cruising their way around the once male dominated parks. They are fearless of the guys who gets in their way and refuse to be kicked out of the park for being females.

NAME: Meghann Bourassa HOMETOWN: Santa Cruz, California STANCE: Regular

At 28, Meghann has only been skating for 18 months, but she is constantly trying to push herself and her crew on the skate park. What is more important for Meghann though, is making sure she is having a damn good time! We bring to you an exclusive interview with Meghann, to ask why she got involved in the skate scene, and asked her how she feels about the treatment of women in a maledominated scene.

“I had ‘P Rod’ posters in my closet when I was 13, I had to hide them, because I was afraid of my mom seeing them”

ey Meghann, Thanks for taking the time to chat to us today and taking a break from the awesome Californian weather. Skateboarding has always been a mainly male dominated sport, as we know, When you were growing up, who were your favourite skateboarders? I had ‘P-Rod’ posters in my closet when I was 13, always had a thing for skaters, long before I skated. I had to hide them in my closet, because I was afraid of my mom seeing them. Who didn’t have ‘P-Rod’ posters in their room! I always wanted my hair like his, but it never seemed to turn out quite as nice! It must be dope living in Cali, Where is your favourite spot to ride? It really is! I would say any DIY spot really, but if I had to pick my favourite park, it would be Ripon, Curt Pernice skatepark. It’s where I grew up. Whats your favourite tric?k? I don’t know if I have one, but I would probably go with a front rock layback.

What is it about skateboarding that you love? I love that it’s one of the only things I can do, that I am sofully in the moment. My mind is only on skateboarding, nothing else. Its awesome that skating allows you to be fully focused. What else do you do in a day to take your mind away from things? I’m typically working out, riding my fixie, at the beach, tending to my garden, or spending time with my boy. Now for a question which may get you going! How do you feel about being a woman who rides a skateboard? Do you feel judged more? Do you feel that you are never taken as seriously as the guys? Now this is a subject I would love to share a thing or two about. I absolutely feel I am being judged more. There’s nothing that gets me more annoyed than some doofus at the park screaming at me the second I roll up” Hey!! Girl!! Do you actually really skate!?” Way to make me feel

uncomfortable. Guys who don’t skate are usually the ones who do it. It’s either that or you get some jerk who thinks he has the right to tell you what you should be doing and that “you’ll never be a skater cause your afraid to fall”, some guys just really don’t understand that thier little comments are the core reason that most females don’t skate. They makeus feel uncomfortable, intimidated and sometimes just flat out unwelcomed. I’ve been skating a little over a year and have made tons of progress. I really don’t need someone’s opinion on my skating. Nor do I care. You come across, the nicest dudes and females who are so stoked to see you out at the parks.

“I’ve made my dream, my life and reality”

Meghann Bourassa Photo: Lanny Headrix

Meghann Bourassa Photo: Kim Contreras

school. I’ve made my dream my life and reality. What is your most memorable moment growing up in Santa Cruz? Hands down, riding dirt bikes with my dad and brother at the age of 5, long 5 am trips to a place called Carnegie. And who/what is your favourite music and band? Classic rock, like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. If you could only own 5 possessions, what would they be? Shit! that’s hard. I would have to say strawberry chapstick, authentic Vans, my skateboard, and does coconut water and food count as possessions? Above: Meghann, with the Santa Cruz Lady Lurkers. Photo: Lanny Headrix

“My mind is only on skateboarding, nothing else”

And it makes you feel good, makes you want to skate more. I’m lucky to be in a female skate crew, Santa Cruz Lady Lurkers. There’s about ten of us. We make each other feel good. We encourage and push each other, and all we want is to have fun. The Santa Cruz Lady Lurkers sounds an awesome group to be involved in, and obviously allows you to connect with other female skaters.... Yeh, we are a group of girl skaters, there are ten of us. And most of the girls have been skating there whole life. Some have only been doing it a few years like myself. We all just skate for fun really. A lady named Kim Contreras started the group about two years ago. It has really taken off, we have over 9 thousand followers on Instagram and people look up to us from all over the world. We are nothing but a crew. None of us are sponsered, we ride solely for fun. We get together once in a while and all skate and do photo shoots but it doesn’t happen often enough. What do you think can be done to get more girls skating? Girls encouraging each other, the younger generation is really what’s going to get it going. What do you feel most proud of, in your life right now? The person I am today. I am every thing I dreamed of being in high

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Yeh dude, that stuff will keep you alive. What would you do if you won the lottery then? I would buy myself a nice house in Santa Cruz probably in a sweet low key spot right across the street from the ocean, and I would save the rest so I could have money the rest of my life. It sounds as though you are very responsible with your money. What is your biggest fear? The day that my dads not around any longer. What has been your most embarrassing moment? I dunno, I do a lot of embarrassing things on the daily. If you could meet anybody at all (dead or alive), who would it be? That’s a tough one, But I would Probably say Jimi Hendrix... Thanks for the catching up with us today Meghann, the Santa Cruz Lady Lurkers can really help inspire further growth within the sport, amongst women, and we hope this story inspires other girls to get out their on their skate. Can you please tell our readers where else they can check you out? Yeah guys, My name is @mbo_ on Instagram. Also, make sure you follow our lady skate crew, @santacruzladylurkers Thanks.

Bastian Figueroa Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

Victor Fuenzalida Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

Derek Acosta Photo: Dominic Palarchio

Felipe Medina Photo: Arturo Perez

Our Favourite Decks Right Now

Antihero Skateboards

3D Skateboards

Chocolate Skateboards

Enjoi Skateboards

Girl Skateboards

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Santa Cruz X Star Wars

Roberto Troncoso Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

Cristian Caballero Photo: Silvio Rodrigo OFF THE RAIL MAGAZINE

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Fernando Valenci Photo: Arturo Perez

Sebastian Astudillo Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

JARED BOLLEN

Photo: Brian Love

ey Jared, how are you? First thing I ask everybody - what made you pick up a skateboard and start riding? I don’t know, my whole life I pretty much had a board of some sort. Eventually I actually started to make something out of it. Who are your biggest inspirations in the skate scene? My friends mainly! But others are the Z-boyz, Pedro Barros, Jamie Thomas, Bob Burnquist, and Tyson Bowerbank.

“I live to skate, I am a skateboarder, I love flying”

What is your main ambition with skateboarding? To have fun and live. I hate that whole go to school shit and get a job life I just want to skate and have fun. I would love to be pro but if not I just want the fun it presents! Where is your favourite spot to ride? Well that depends on my mood. If it’s a bowl kind of day I’d say Venice Beach, but if it’s stairs, I’d say any old thing will do haha. So, Whats your current skateboard set-up? My sponsor Astro-Zombies deck, Independents trucks, Ouija wheels, Redz bearings, and some plain ass hardware. What is it about skateboarding that you love? I love the fact that I don’t have to worry about shit. I live to skate. I am a skateboarder. I love flying. I love how everything stands still when you’re in the air its endless and its beauty.

Photo: Brian Love

“I love how everything stands still when you’re in the air”

If you could only own 5 possessions, what would they be? My skateboard, iPod, one good set of clothes, a Harley, and a tent. Photo: Tobias Nelson

What do you say to a kid who has just bought his first skateboard? I’d probably tell them to “Stick to it and just have fun no matter what.” When your not skating - What are you doing? Whatever, haha just so long as I’m occupied having fun. What do you think about the skate industry today? It’s more about money and being the biggest company around. In my opinion any way. What goes through your mind before you try a new trick? Oh a fuckload! Haha I think about falling, and how much the trick is worth to me. Is it worth dying for? Or not? I don’t know just a lot. What is your perfect day? Skating in the morning in Venice right on the beach. Hanging out with my friends and girlfriend. If you were invisible for 1 day, what would you do? I’d take a shit on soooo many cars. Or I’d steal from big corporations and give it to kids in poverty. What’s your favourite film? The Lords of Dogtown & The Lord of the Rings (Trilogy) What/Who is your favourite music/band? I don’t really have one but on the spot, have to choose. I’d say Taking Back Sunday. OFF THE RAIL MAGAZINE

If you won the lottery, what would you do/ buy? First I’d buy a house, a Harley, and then I’d use the rest to help my friends and buy an indoor skate park that’s free to the public! What is your biggest fear? Fear? Haha Fear is bullshit, I only get intimidated and that never really lasts. What is your most embarrassing moment? Haha I have way to many to count. Some are even on YouTube. But hey! If you can’t laugh at yourself then don’t do stupid shit. If you could meet anybody (dead or alive), who would it be? Probably my uncles. How many bones have you broken, doing what you do? I think one? But I don’t really know for sure. Where is your favourite place to eat? The Candle Cafe on Venice beach Boardwalk. Where can people check you out? (instagram, twitter etc) Instagram: @spacolithelion Twitter: @spacolithelion Facebook: Spacoli Wsb Snapchat: @spacolithelion

Victor Morales Photo: Adolph Sanchez Jr

E X C L U S I V E

ey Colin, Thanks for speaking to us today! Hey man, It’s my pleasure. I’ll start off by asking the question that I ask everyone, What made you start skateboarding and at what age? I had a friend who had just moved back from Utah and he had started skating and got me into it. I think I was 13 when I bought my first skateboard. So at 13, you must have had a few skaters that you admired? Yeh, My favorite was always Paul Rodriguez. His Flawless style was what I liked best. I emulated everything about his style; I even used to dress like him. All my friends called me little P-Rod. Emulating P-Rod is no easy task. Do you have certain goals? Such as getting a sponsorship deal or is what you do now just becoming a hobby? I used to only skate to be a pro, and it was really the wrong reason to do so. I was stressed out all the time because, I thought if I didn’t true flip some 10 stair by the end of the week I wouldn’t be on track to go pro. I was always pressuring myself to push my limits, which isn’t a bad thing but I did it for the wrong reasons. Now that going pro isn’t my main goal in life I have a lot more fun skateboarding.

“Now that going pro isn’t my main goal in life, I have a lot more fun skateboarding.”

And where is your favourite spot to ride? There are not a lot of spots where I live so you take what you can get. The favorites among my friends and I is the Albertson’s loading docks and the Cube. The Cube was basically just a small ledge behind some abandoned building that you can hit from almost any angle, also makes for a great ‘manny’ pad. What’s your favourite trick? A good, proper, well-popped switch flip has always been my favorite trick What are you doing when you are not skateboarding? When I’m not skateboarding, I’m at running, or taking photos. I’ve been doing photography for a little over a year now, and it fills the void of not always learning new tricks skateboarding. Getting a shot I’m super stoked on gives me a similar feeling to landing a new trick, the best park I don’t have to put my body at risk for sick a shot (For the most part). I picked up running at my sophomore year of high school. I started because, my dad was a good runner and I’m a really a competitive person so it would help fill the time when I’m not skateboarding. I’ve come to have a lot of success in it.

Photo: Colin Cassidy OFF THE RAIL MAGAZINE

So, you mention you are a keen photographer, your Instagram page has some some sick skate shots. What made you pick up a camera? Well, Instagram actually is what made me want to get a camera. I liked having good content on my page, that’s when I found the need for a camera. And being able to have good content on my Instagram is one way I try to promote my photography, showing that my shots have diversity and interest, rather than just throwing up some random picture, I like to take time and think about what I’m going to post and give my followers the best content.

Photo: Colin Cassidy

When did you start and what inspired you to start taking photos? I got really interested in Photography during my freshman year of high school, and I bought my fist DSLR that next summer, going into my junior year. I really got stared by wanting to have cool looking photos on my Instagram. Who’s work has influenced you the most? I pull inspiration from a lot of photographers, but my favorite guys right now are the awesome Cody Payne (@codypayne), Andrew Stoner (@andrewheartsbacon), Djae Outlaw (@Djaeoutlaw), and my good friend Noah Couser (@noahcouser) Are your photos spontaneous or do you plan what you will snap and when and where you will snap it? Most of the time, no . On rare occasions I’ll plan a shoot with (Cont)a friend, but most of the time it just happens to be in the moment if I have my camera with me and I try not to leave my house without my camera. With sport photography being so popular in today’s society, how do you make yourself, and your photos, stand out? What do you try to achieve from your photo’s which other’s fail to do? With a lot of sports photography, the shots are typically bright and flashy, with a lot of color. With my shots I try to tone down the shots, making colors softer, and try to remove as much background destruction as possible. And I always say to myself when I’m shooting, what shot can I get that not just anyone with a camera can get. How can I make my shot stand out compared to anyone else who could shoot that same exact locations with other variables. If you’re shooting some skate shots, what is the best camera set up? Honestly, If I could afford it, I would go with the Canon 7D Mark ii with a 24-70 Prime lens. It’s going to give you the most crisp image quality with a 10 frame per second burst rate. It sounds very expensive man, to raise that kind of dollar, would you rather become a competition winning pro skateboarder, or a globally renowned photographer? Which would you choose – and why? I would be a pro skateboarder. It’s everything that I dreamed about since I first started skateboarding and I love being a role model for other kids. I remember overtime, I used to show up to the skate park and all the younger kids would come up to me and they couldn’t wait to show me all the new tricks they had learnt. I

love knowing that I’m somebody important enough for them to want to show me their new tricks. So, Where do you want your photography to take you? I’m not set on making it my full time job in the future but I would like to be able to pay to upgrade my equipment and maybe help pay a few bills. What’s the best and worst thing about being a photographer involved in skateboarding? The best bit is when the shot turns out better than you imagined. The worst is when equipment gets broken, fortunately for me, that has not yet happened. Cheers for talking to us today man. Finally, Where can our readers check you out? (Instagram, twitter, any other personal website) My Instagram name is @colinc23

Photo: Colin Cassidy OFF THE RAIL MAGAZINE

Cristian Caballero Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

Claudio Poblete Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

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Boris Palma Photo: Silvio Rodrigo

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