[ JAPANESE / ENGLISH ]

Photos courtesy of ASICS Skateboarding
Special thanks_ASICS

VHSMAG (V)：　Foster Huntington released a video called Seasons with you and Emile Laurent. How did the idea come about, and how is your relationship with him reflected in the project?

Brent Atchley (B)：　It just kind of happened organically, skating with each other and getting hyped. Emile keeps the energy high and gets me motivated to keep trying something over and over again.

V：　What new discoveries or insights have come from filming with Emile?

B：　Nothing that I already didn't know. Emile can ollie very high, especially for his height.

V：　What does it mean to you to make a video with someone else?

B：　It's more meaningful and fun. Our styles contrast so much that it's excitable to envision how I can contribute.

V：　Your skate style is organic and effortless. Is that something you’ve consciously developed, or did it come naturally over time?

B：　It seems like the approach for myself might be smarter, not harder, but maybe I'm just lazy. Skateboarding is not as easy as it looks at times. I'd say my comfortability has certainly fluctuated over the years. I can't call it.

V：　From the outside, it seems like you value minimalism and a relaxed approach. What parts of your life beyond skating helped shape that mindset?

B：　No idea. Things between the ears and life in general can be chaotic at times and skateboarding is an outlet and opportunity to inadvertently get into a more mellow processing space.

V：　How do you think your style has evolved over the years?

B：　To kind of echo what I said or was thinking previously, things just sync up and work together. Less thinking and more going with the flow.

V：　How has the landscape and atmosphere of Portland influenced your skating and way of thinking?

B：　Hard to say. With any metropolis, you get a wide variety of surfaces, structures, etc. Portland has so many different palats to choose from. Maybe it has helped with versatility and working with what is available, whether ideal or not, still having fun and skating with friends.

V：　What values have you held onto most throughout your years of skating?

B：　Maintaining that skateboarding is fun. Also being aware that I have been afforded the ability to do it, bodily, mentally etc.

V：　What led you to start working with ASICS? What was the deciding factor for you?

B：　It was kind of left field and unexpected. Kaspar hit me up and it sounded like a fun project. Emile was also part of that decision. I think Kasper mentioned Gino as well and it all sounded appealing. ASICS was more underground on my radar as a shoe brand, so it was exciting to hear that they wanted to support skateboarding. Something fresh and new. I had skated a pair of ASICS (pretty sure they were Skyhand OG) back when I got on Element around 2005 and they were great (that sole is coming out on a skate model this year) so I had already had one positive experience skating in some Sportstyle ASICS.

V：　Are there any specific qualities or sensations about ASICS shoes that stand out to you compared to others?

B：　The shoes have been great so far and are only getting better. ASICS is very cognizant about asking what we need / asking for feedback to develop functional skate shoes. There are some excellent new models coming out very soon! Also skating in the GEL-NYC Sportsyle shoe is a real nice experience.

V：　What aspects of the brand’s vision or philosophy resonate with you most?

B：　Something new and fresh with a great team and awesome company as a whole. Seeing the skate shoes evolve is exciting and I love the history of the brand, Onitsuka Tiger and all the Sportstyle stuff is rad. Sound Mind, Sound Body resonates with me.

V：　What kinds of projects would you like to pursue with ASICS in the future?

B：　More helping the brand develop good shoes and contribute to campaigns and such. Video projects that reflect fun skateboarding and all that's been conveyed above. ASICS has also been supportive of the non profit I'm involved with @pushmovement and I am excited to see where we can support each other there.

Brent Atchley
@brentatchley

From Portland, Oregon. The embodiment of laid-back, effortless skating. As a member of ASICS Skateboarding, he recently released the edit Seasons with Emile Laurent.