“You don’t stay the little dude forever.”

By Casey Duggan

While Torey Pudwill is not exactly an adult, he sure as hell isn’t the little kid with the bowl haircut anymore. And even though Simi Valley, California may not be the most culturally diverse or stimulating place to have grown up, Torey has actually come out okay. This 17-year old has a very matter-of-fact outlook on the industry that’s taken good care of him thus far. Torey’s sincerely thankful for everything that has happened to him at this stage in his life and doesn’t intend to mess it up.

Even though you’re still really young, you’ve been skating for so long and seen a lot of changes. Are you still as excited about skating as you were when you got your first board?
As you get older, you get more involved with skating. I feel it more and more every day. When you get older and wise up, you want get a little more out of the company because they’re using you and your name, you know. So now you want to get broke off a little bit. You get more into the business side, which sucks because I’ve always just wanted to skate.

So it’s become a job?
It’s not a job. You get paid for it, but it’s not a job. It’s kind of like gambling.
Was it hard to confront the people and companies that gave you your first opportunities, and tell them you had to quit?
As time went on I got more confident and knew that there were more things I had to bring up. If you’re open with the team managers of the companies, it usually works out for the best.
Have you made some bad decisions?
Yeah, I’ve definitely made a lot of bad decisions before I started making good decisions. That’s kind of what started it for me. I’d make bad decisions and people would let me know. Sometimes something you’re psyched on can totally flip on you.

I would think making bad decisions early is really common. Who helped to steer you in the right path?
I would say Scuba Steve. Scuba gives me a lot of advice, especially with skating. I think that’s why he’s the team manager of Es now. He’s got such a good job because he just knows skateboarding so well.

If skating didn’t work out, what would you do?
If skating doesn’t work out, I’d try to be a comedian or something. Who knows? Maybe I would be an actor of some sort.

I’m pretty sure everything you do involves skateboarding.
What can I say? I just hang out. I don’t go to school anymore. Anything I do pretty much involves skating.

How come you don’t go to school? When did you realize you were going to drop out?

I realized that when I was young. I wish I could have dropped out in ninth grade and just only skateboarded. But I held out and made it my longest. I made it to the 12th grade. I took my GED but didn’t pass it. But I’m gonna pass it. It’s always good to get your diploma. That’s something I’ve definitely wanted my whole life. I’m still working on it. Not going to school and just being able to skate. You can just do so much more.
Why is it that you’ve never had friends your age?
I know. I hang out with so many people that are thirty and up. Half my friends are thirty plus. I’m still the youngest dude. Always! There are kids coming up that I finally get to mess with though. You don’t stay the little dude forever.

Do you follow all the trends in skateboarding?
I do what I do. If I see something I like, I’ll do it. Not if people are overdoing it though. I’m going to look for something a little newer.
Do you have any gripes with skateboarding?
I hate when little kids have the wrong idea of skateboarding. They think it’s all about getting free shit. They’ll try to get sponsored for the wrong reasons, not for the love. You just got to skate for the love. It’s not about being sponsored. It’s not about free stuff or money. I love skateboarding and that’s why I do it. Whatever. If had the opportunity to make a little more cash, then hell yeah!

Now that you’re pro, making a little name for yourself, where’s the jewelry? Where’s the fancy car?
I don’t have those other needs. I already bought a car, now I’m saving for a house. It’ll be in the Valley for sure. These are the times I should be skating the hardest. I’m filming for the DVS and Almost videos. Just keep working on skating, you know. I’m still real young. I still got a long way to go.