We met Rian back at the Bethlehem Slide Jam, where he made the podium and caught our attention. He really stood out at Skate the Cape, competing in multiple events including the Boardercross which was pretty gnarly back then. We were stoked when he reached out to us this Winter asking for a spot on the team. We sat down and asked him a few questions to get to know him a little better...
How did you start skateboarding/longboarding?
My cousins introduced me to longboarding when I was 11, and then I started skating downhill when I was 14. I started street skating shortly after at 15.
What are other passions in your life? What motivates you?
Besides longboarding, I like street skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding, and mountain biking. I am also passionate about content creation, marketing, finance, and being successful in school. Money and attractive girls motivate me.
What do you do for work? How do you balance work and play?
In Maryland, I work as the general manager for Bethesda Boards. In Arizona, I am a marketing strategist and copywriter for AdWorks, the student-run marketing agency at ASU. I work hard, but proper time management enables me to play hard too.
Where do you want to see longboarding in the future?
Despite what some people say, I think longboarding will continue to grow in popularity. I think that electric skateboards will grow in popularity and dancing longboards will become more mainstream. Downhill skating has never been better due to recent advancements in gear quality.
What is your favorite longboard event and why?
My favorite event is CenMass, because of the general atmosphere, diverse events, and great parties.
Tell us about that session or moment that made you want to really pursue longboarding as more than just a hobby?
One of my very first events was the Bethlehem slide jam, hosted by faceplant. I managed to secure second place in juniors, which got me stoked on progressing my skating and competing at events. Pretty much every faceplant event I went to got me stoked on skating and pushed me to keep progressing my skills.
What is your biggest achievement? In longboarding and/or life...
My biggest achievement in longboarding is placing third in B-bracket at Cenmass and second in juniors. Placing at such a large and well-known event was super rad and a big achievement for me. In life, my biggest achievement is maintaining my 4.0 GPA. #scholar
Coffee, tea or energy drink? What wakes you up in the morning?
I am a big fan of coffee, but I tend to reach for an energy drink while skating.
What would be your superpower and why?
Going back in time. I would go back to 2010 and put $1,000 in bitcoin. Boom. I'm rich.
Who is your hero?
Elon Musk
If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live? Why?
Santa Barbara is the best place in the world. I always hear the question, "would you rather live at the mountains or the beach?" Santa Barbara is both. The mountains and the beach. Paradise.
What is your dream job? What's stopping you?
My dream job is to work as a marketing manager for Red Bull, or to own my own marketing agency. Right now, I am on the right path to achieve these dreams, I just need more experience. (And money)
Follow him @rianlwg on instagram
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