Jani Laitiala: the Trasher interview

Why in the world would anybody want to skate in Finland? Riddle me that. It's cold there, right?

Yeah, it's very cold over here right now. But in the summer it's super good for four months so it's not that long of a season for skateboarding, really.

You have indoor facilities to do your tricks?

Yeah. We have one really good skatepark over here--but of course it's better to skate outside.

It's the best feeling about skating, when it's a sunny day outside, isn't it?

Yep.

How many times have you been to America?

I'm not even sure. Six or seven times already.

What's the main difference between Finland and the United States, as far as people in general?

Finnish people don't really talk to other people if they don't know them. At all. When you go by somebody you don't know, nobody says really anything. And then in the States people are talking all the time and not really meaning what they are talking.

Just talking for the sake of talking, taking up space.

Yeah, even if you don't know the guy.

How old are you now?

Twenty.

In this mag I've got a switch heelflip in Sacto, that big one, sequence. You like to do the heelflip a lot?

It's a good trick.

Switch heelflip?

I like the feeling of that trick, but I like heelflips.

I know; I saw the fakie heelflip of the Marin double as well. Correct? I think Arto pretty much blew that out with the switch three flip.

Yep.

Do you ever think about tricks when you go to a spot, like, "Well, what I gotta do here ...?" Do you plan it out?

When I go there after I see the photo, I just want to do some trick that I think about, and if the trick is right for that spot, I do it. But it's gnarly to think about it in your mind how stuff has been done over there already and how gnarly tricks have been done, and then you just have to pretty much figure out what can you do.

It's more trick oriented as opposed to just skating, and at your level it's very difficult to stay focused on all the bullshit that goes with it. Correct?

Yep.

When you grew up, who were some of your favorite skaters? Koston.

He's the best.

Yeah, he's the best.

You understand that. Does his stuff translate in the magazines even--well, I guess you grew up in the video generation. You saw the shit, and were like, "Wow, this guy is really good."

Yeah, and when you see him live, even skating flatground, you're like, "Whoa."

He's a class act. And he's a humble guy. That's what I think is rad about skateboarding, that we haven't elevated people to ego freaks--some of them are ego freaks, but a lot of them are really humble champions. I think that's pretty rad. Who else did you rate that way?

Appleyard.

Of course. Money; his feet. What do you think about the whole crisis of everybody trying to fit in with a costume, or trying to be somebody that they're not? Does that ever trip you out? You got your hat and your sweatshirt, that's about all you need.

Yeah, that's about all you need: a T-shirt and a good pair of jeans. That's all you need for me, but for some people I could see that because people want to come out of the group. I think it's pretty much just selling yourself over there, how people recognize you and how you can sell yourself. That's what I think about people doing that costume thing and having weird--whatever--gloves on their hands. You have to have something that the kids can relate to.

So you guys would skate in your town, in Helsinki? What's the name of the plaza?

It's like post-curbs. It's like the post office.

And it's called what?

No, that's what we call it. Post office curbs.

If you could go back in time, what era would you think that you could fit into in skateboarding? When would be fun?

Ninety-six, that time was awesome.

Why, because of what was going on? What is it about that year?

All the Girl guys were skating really good at that time. I'm not sure, '96 or '97 when Mouse came up.

Do you think it's pretty hard to make it in the States?

Yeah, it is. All the visa problems that European people have and the different culture, and then you understand people wrong. You think it goes forward way faster than it actually does, because it takes a long time to get things going in the States. That's why I think many European skaters have already thought, "Oh, I don't want to go there," or just going over there for a while and nothing happens--even people are talking about, "Yeah, it's going to happen. We are going to do this, that, this ..." and then all of a sudden nothing happens. I think people just get upset and frustrated easily.

You've got a pretty good team. Are you hyped on The Firm?

Yeah, I'm stoked. The Firm is awesome.

Javi.

The best.

Seven tricks, one anytime, you know.

Good style. I really love the way he skates.

And Rodrigo Teixeira.

You don't even have to say anything; you know how good he is.

And they got John White. They got a bunch of arms coming up.

John White is a really good kid. I hope he gets more coverage so that people can see him more. But he's really talented as well.

What keeps you warm in the winter?

My ice fishing suit.

What other cultural phenomenons might Americans not understand about Finnish people? Do you ice skate, ski, telemark, what?

Yeah, everything. Pretty much all the winter sports. All the crazy ones where you think people are mental when they jump into the lake when it's frozen and take part of the ice out and go swim over there.

What else? Cuffing?

Uh, I don't see that too often.

The crew that you grew up skateboarding with, do they still skate? Are they sponsored? Do they travel the world like you?

No, they go to Spain a lot and a couple people have been in the States.

But it's kind of hard to explain to people when you get back from, say, a trip to Argentina, and they're like, "Hey, man, what's going on?" You're like, "You wouldn't even believe it if I told you."

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what you mean.

What kind of music do you rap out to on your iPod?

I have a bunch of different kinds of music. I can't say that I like one certain kind of music. I like rap, I like disco, I like rock.

"Can I say one more thing for kids coming up: Van Wastell."

"Keep it real"

When you were a kid, did you save up your money and go to Munster or Dortmund to see the World Championships or anything?

When I was 15 I went with my older friends from Finland, and I just went to check it out with them. I skated on that Redlands contest.

Who won it?

Diego Bucchieri won that one.

That was 1999. You are correct, my friend. If you had one message to say to all the people in the world about your skating and the way you want it to be seen, what's your message?

It can change, but it's the best thing in my life. What else can you say? It's awesome; you're in your own space.

What about working for Lance? Lance is a pretty regular, easygoing guy.

Yep.

When are you coming back State-side?

January. Actually, I got my three-year working visa.

Can you skate vert?

No.

Do you go to Bob's ramp and blast?

No. That's what I wish I could do. Can I say one more thing for kids coming up: Van Wastell.

Yeah, you like him?

Yeah. He's an awesome skater and an awesome person.

Alright, Jani. We'll see you in January. Keep warm.

I want to thank all my sponsors: The Firm, Spitfire, Independent, Rusty and Oakley Europe, my family and all my friends. Special thanks to Joe Brook. Keep it real.

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