[ JAPANESE / ENGLISH ]

Photos_Ryan Quinn
Special thanks_Z-Flex Japan

VHSMAG (V)：　We heard you were born in New York and raised in Tokyo. What got you into skateboarding, and what were your home spots back then?

Leon Kaetsu (L)：　There were young skaters street skating, and I just thought it was awesome watching them flip their boards. That’s what made me want to start. I went to Toys “R” Us with my dad and bought a complete. My home spot is MAP. I always make sure to rep it. It's the old Murasaki Park Tokyo in Senju.

V：　How do you think having roots in both Tokyo and abroad has influenced your skating?

L：　The biggest thing is that I ended up speaking English without even thinking about it. Being able to connect with skaters on the street right away when I go overseas is huge. Also, understanding English changes how you see the video parts and skaters you’ve watched since you were little.

V：　Which skaters or skate videos have influenced you the most?

L：　Skaters like Chaz Ortiz, Takahiro Morita, Bobby De Keyzer, Issei Sakurai, Jason Dill, and Kento Yoshioka. The video that influenced me is Toryanse i.n.g.

V：　How did you end up joining Z-Flex?

L：　I first met Morita-san at an exhibition, and we had the chance to talk about the projects we were working on at the time. Later, I started visiting his shop, and luckily we got closer. That’s how the Z-Flex opportunity came about.

V：　How do you feel the legacy of the Z-Boys connects with your current skating?

L：　I think since Z-Flex was founded, they’ve always challenged themselves to create new things. That mindset is carried on by us today, by Z-Flex Japan, and by Morita-san in what they do and teach. I feel that legacy is alive even now. And just like the original Z-Boys said, I just really love skating. Because I love it so much, sometimes I go all out, but the important thing is to “Live the moment.” It’s the lifestyle, homie.

V：　What have been some memorable experiences since joining the team?

L：　Since joining, I skate outside Tokyo more often, which has allowed me to meet different scenes and people. It’s really exciting. I also learn a lot from other riders’ styles and skills. Plus, Z-Flex has such a deep history in skateboarding, so skating their boards naturally sparks more interactions and communication with people.

V：　You’re currently based in Vancouver, Canada. What brought you there?

L：　I’ve got ma brotha who’s been filming me since the beginning. His name is YAGI (@yagi.j_), and he lives in Vancouver. I had the chance to visit, and when I saw the city filled with spots, I thought, “This is the opportunity,” and started filming right away.

V：　What has stood out to you about the scene and spots in Canada?

L：　The scale of the spots is clearly different from Tokyo. There are huge spots that just make you wanna go. And looking beyond Vancouver, Canada has a rich skate history, so there are spots and skaters keeping that history alive in their own style, which keeps me increasingly interested.

 

V：　What was your concept or theme for this video part?

L：　I tried to show a side of myself that I don’t usually show.

V：　Tell us about the filmer you worked with.

L：　My filmer is the YAGI I mentioned earlier. We went to the same school since middle school and grew up skating together. He’s newer to skateboarding than I am, but he’s super passionate and respects my skating. He’s also incredibly smart, like top-class academically, and I honestly think his knowledge is Einstein-level… although he can’t really do two things at once (laughs).

V：　How did you go about completing this part?

L：　I filmed as much as possible while in Vancouver.

V：　Your powerslide style with gloves is distinctive. How did you start doing that?

L：　I started sliding by imitating Morita-san, trying it with gloves, and I was able to do it surprisingly well. I got hooked that day, and that’s when I bought my first gloves at FESN laboratory.

V：　Any particularly memorable tricks or spots during filming?

L：　Looking back, two historic spots, Black Ice and UBC Joslin Stair, were amazing. I’ll never forget skating them. Also, SFU campus is like a skateboarder’s Disneyland, and landing an inward heel there was one of the tricks that pumped me up the most. Definitely one of those “I just tried and got it” moments.

V：　What was the trick you struggled with the most?

L：　Sliding to a slappy backtail was the toughest. I combined my style with a slide, and it was my first time hitting the curb with no wax. It was super hard, but I managed to make it.

V：　How did it feel to finally get a Z-Flex signature board with your name on it?

L：　When I got my board, I really wanted to show it to my mom. Being able to do a little bit of parental appreciation that way made me happy, and it also fired me up with the feeling of “now I have to hustle more.” Huge love to Z-Flex Japan for making this dream come true.

V：　Any specific details you focused on for the board's size or shape?

L：I like a deeper concave, but not too deep. The nose and tail aren’t fully twin-sized, but the nose is slightly bigger, and the tail is just a little wider too.

V：　Any projects or plans lined up in the future?

L：　I plan to travel to many countries, make videos, and hold premieres and parties. I want to create a place where everyone can come together. Unity ya digg.

V：　Through skateboarding, what do you want to challenge yourself with or express?

L：　I want to show that “this is what I can do” through skateboarding, in my own way. I also want to keep repping globally. Most of all, I want to go big. I’ll never stop challenging myself. Never stop grinding u heard.
 

Leon Kaetsu
@leonkaetzu.___

Born in New York, raised in Tokyo. He's a team rider for Z-Flex Japan and currently based in Vancouver, Canada. He recently released a signature board and a video part with Z-Flex.