I cannot tell you how many times I have said, "Man I wish I could still do a backflip." Somehow I have let my life become a very stagnant physical state. Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good walk and I love being active but it's few and far between as my years gain on me. It's actually embarrassing that I used to do backflips and now I'm winded at the top of the stairs! Anyway, my point is, there are some people out there who have continued to do the things they loved to do when they were kids. Who would've thunk that skateboarding would become the sport, the industry, and the pasttime it has become.
Clark Fraley seems to have gotten it. When he's not playing in the Cure tribute band, Imaginary Boys or rocking the guitar in Rockbot, he's flying high and ripping it up on his board. Much to be admired here because he's actually really freakin' good!
Full Name:David Clark Fraley
Age: 29
Currently Residing: Richmond, VA
Currently Listening to: Muse as I type this
Sponsor: Banzai Board Company
How long have you been skating and how did you get involved with Banzai?
I will have been skating for 20 years in April. Damn that is scary! I actually knew the president of Banzai before he started the company. I met him through a mutual friend. Then, one day I am at a skate contest in Richmond and I see him there. In talking to him, he informed me that he had started a skateboard company and that he was looking for riders. I told him that I was interested. The Banzai crew and I went out shortly after that and skated together. They were happy with my skating and I was happy with their product...I then joined the team. I have been riding for them for about two and half years now.
Goofy or regular?
Regular
Sickest trick you do?
That is kind of a hard question looking from the inside out. Maybe a
backside bluntslide to tailslide.
Gnarliest Bail?
This past fall (no pun intended), I sliced my shin open on the extension
of a mini-ramp. I had to get 7 staples put in. Yay.
Favorite Old skooler? new skooler?
It's really hard to narrow it down. Mark Gonzales, Bob Burnquist
Where and what do you like to skate the most?
I skate parks and backyard ramps mostly. Mini-ramps are my favorite thing
to skate.
What song do you like to skate to the most?
I rarely get to choose music to skate to. I skated to Meshuggah at my
friend Will's ramp once. That was pretty sick.
Trick you want to nail the most?
Benihana on ramp
How do you feel about how skateboarding has progressed?
I think it has progressed fairly naturally. Street and Vert skating
are at an amazing level now. Some of the tricks that were considered "hard"
15 years ago are now, say, "intermediate". I have a feeling
that the generation of skaters, before mine, felt the same way that I
do when I see which tricks that kids are trying after skating only a short
while.
Favorite character in a horror flick?
That dog in one of the "Nightmare on Elm St." movies that pissed
fire.
To see more of Clark you can visit Banzai at: www.banzaiboardcompany.com or on My Space: www.myspace.com/clytor