Q&A : BEN PERSINGER
BEN enjoying a cold one after a good day of skating
Hey Ben we are putting together a spot on the DR87 blog where it’s a Q&A for the skaters on the team so fans can get to know everyone better..
Q: Name?
BEN PERSINGER
Q:Age?
A: 23 years old
Q: Hometown?
Madison Heights, Michigan, USA
Q: Stance?
A: Regular
Q: Current setup?
Current setup : Fucking Awesome 8.5 14.25 wheelbase, I’m sponsored by Typo skateboards but I just didn’t havee any boards at the moment so i set up this one one week old board I bought before I started getting hooked up by Typo. For trucks, I skate Venture high 5.8 (8.5 Axel) with the venture 90a bushing becuase I like skating loose trucks. spitfitre F4 conical fulls 54mm wheels, Bones Swiss bearings, Mob griptape, Shortys orginal hardware.
Q: Favorite tricks?
A: treflips & Backsideflips.
Ben Persinger doing a 360 flip at Modern Skate and Surf.
Favorite Skate Films:
Q: How old were you when you first started skateboarding, and what motivated you to pick up a skateboard?
A: I was 8 years old when I started Skateboarding. I played a lot of Tony Hawk’s Pro skater 4 growing up and that was my main influence to pick it up. But I had a friend in grade school who knew how to skate and he came over one day and taught me how to ride pretty much . I was hooked the first moment I stepped onto a board.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of skateboarding? Is it the tricks, the sense of community, or something else?
A: I love the endless possiblities that skateboarding has and the overall freedom aspect of it. There’s no coahes telling you what to do, it’s just you being you. it’s a very fun and great outlet, it’s helped me deal with some of the darker times in my life.
Q. Can you share any memorable skateboarding experiences or moments that stand out in your mind?
A: Meeting Tony Hawk for the first time was definitely one I always think about. He was right there at my local skatepark which is something I never thought would happen in my life. No matter what anyone says, he’s still the top dog of skateboarding.
Q: Who are some of your biggest influences in the skateboarding world, and how have they impacted your style and progression?
A: Josh Kalis has always been one of my favorite skaters and he’s from Michigan too. He has one of the most ill styles too. I’ve always loved the baggy fit esthetic even when it wasn’t in style for most of the time I was growing up, but the XL tees and sizes 40 pants just makes sense as the “dress code” for skateboarding. But all my homies are probably my biggest influences to be real, everyone in the scene has there own unique style and it’s rad to see.
Q:Are there any particular skate spots or skateparks that hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
A: There was a park in Sterling Heights right off 16 and mound called Oakland vert (R.i.p) where I used to take skate classes at. When it closed down in 2013 I started going to Modern Skate and surf in Royal Oak where I pretty much learned most of my tricks I know today. I worked at modern skate for a bit I am grateful for that opportunity when it was given to me. Bishop D.I.Y and Chandler park are probably in my top 5 as well, super good flow at both places. i will also throw in Clawson park as well because I spent a good chunk of my summers as a kid at that park.
Q: Do you have any pre-skate rituals or routines that you follow before a session?
A: Definitely eating something before I leave the house. Protein and proper nutrition is essential for a skate sesh. Stretching as well. I was an instructor at my old job so I picked up on a few things from that because that’s the first thing we would do before lessons begin.
Q: Favorite music / artists?
A: Hip-hop, R&B, and alternate rock are probably my favorite genres of music. I like the GZA, The Smiths, The Cranberries, A tribe called quest, Mary J. Blige, Cypress Hill. I could go on forever.
Q: Personal shoutouts?
A: My mom for being so supportive well as my dad (rip), Mitch over at Typo Skateboards and everyone over at Demonrealm of course. Much love to all of my homies over the years.
Ben Persinger ripping his way through the realm
Ben Persinger skateboarding at the skatepark wearing demonrealm’s original tee.
