FELIPE GUSTAVO INTERVIEW

"I met 16 year old Felipe at Hooters in Huntington Beach. He didn’t speak any English, but always had people around to translate. The first couple years, I thought he was the nicest and most respectful kid. With sessions being cut short because he had to get to bible school and always asking everyone how they’re doing in their lives, it was easy to back this kid 100%. Today Felipe is 30 and has better English than I do. With his quick wit and his fruitful career, you can easily mistake his personality as being cocky, but that’s not what it is. He’s playful and always trying to make everyone laugh. If that means you’re going to be a victim to his joke, you better be ready. Felipe always puts jokes, friends and family first."
- Jared Lucas

Explain the first moment or interaction that sparked your interest to try skateboarding?
— My brother start skating before me, I used to play soccer when I was young . Then I was over! Looking at the skate parts and the friends that he had was way cooler.

What was your first skateboard setup and how did you get it?
— My dad got me a random from a market . No brands back then

Where was your favorite place to skate when you first started and why?
— Home spots for sure . Where everything started

Do you remember where you were when you saw your first pro? What was that interaction like?
— I mean back in Brazil wasn’t easy to see mad pros , my hometown didn’t have many that I remember . But i remember first time seen Rodrigo Tx. First pro I ever got a photo with .

Do you feel like that interaction motivated you to learn certain tricks or made you want to skate more like that guy/girl?
— I mean TX was one my favorite skaters back then until now days too . Seeing him skating real life was insane back then . Same thing as now days .

How old were you when you first got sponsored? And how long had you been skating at that point?
— I believe I was 9 , probably a year and few months

Was the goal to get sponsored or did you not have those expectations?
— Not really I was just having fun , ended up winning couple contest then it kinda happened

What was your first trip to the United States like? And did your family have to make any sacrifices to get you here?
— It was back in 2007 , Tampa am! Well I guess everyone knows that my dad sold the family car to pay for our trip, it was way more then a car but .. my family is my everything !!

What is your all around favorite wheel? shape, size and formula.
— Been skating BONES for soo manny years . STF been my favorite , 51 v1

Favorite crew to skate with and why?
— I usually skate with the plan b guys , if not some Brazilian homie trying to just have fun all times !

If I could be a fly on the wall and spy on anyone I’d like to….
— I’d like to time travel and be a fly on the wall while Biggie and Pac are kicking it

If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?
— Nah ..

NEW GUSTAVO “NOTORIOUS” PRO WHEEL SPRING 2021