This interview, what the kids really want to know is: Whose boobs are those in your Be-Mag signature, are they real, and if your plane had to make an emergency landing in the ocean, could you use them as a flotation device ;)?

HAHAHA, best question I think I’ve ever got in an interview. Yeah, that would be my girlfriend’s boobs you’re talking about — ha, ha — and yes, they’re real. And if we crash landed into the ocean you bet your ass I’m holding on to those for floation.

< Now that we’ve got that out of the way, aside from being a professional rollerblader, how do you like to spend your days?

I don’t really like spending my days like this, but I’ve also got a little part-time job as a customer service rep for game support. (Actually at work right now.) And if i’m not blading I’m ethier playing pool, shooting hoops, or out drinking with my big boobie gf.

You recently spent some time in Europe for The Conferences “In For The Kill” tour, any really memorable experiences aside from skating some of the world’s sickest terrain?

Oh yeah, first half of the tour was skate-skate-skate, and the second half was drink-drink-skate. I was actually a little bit scared with Billy’s rockstar attitude in Russia and Poland. I thought we (not really me so much, but Billy and Ben were out of control) might end up in some serious trouble or Billy’s liver would shut down… but yeah, it was fucking bad-ass and tiring.

What was it like switching sponsors from Rollerblade to USD, and what influenced your decision to do so?

I’ve always thought USDs were dope skates, even though I never skated them, and I thought they’d be a sweet company to work with. Which so far has been a great experience. Also, when I got dropped from RB my boy Isaac told me he could get the hook up, seeing he’s a friend of my now-boss, Matthias.

Kind of in the same direction as the last question, what did you learn during your time at RB, working with Richie Valasquez?

Working with Richie, I learned how important the future of rollerblading is, and how to focus on the kids of our sport to keep it growing. And RB taught me how quickly things can change.

What was it like growing up skating in New England, a part of the country that like many others, only has ideal skate weather for about a quarter of the year?

Growing up here wasn’t too bad because I was used to always having shitty winters and bad weather for half the year. Now that I’ve gotten to travel to warm places like Cali/Spain, and realizing how nice it must be to live there with year-round good weather, kind of makes me depressed during the winter months here. But it’s all good, that’s when I can step my park skating skills up (even though the parks here suck).

You’re known primarily for your beastly street skating and overall fluidity on your tricks, what are your feelings about skating contests?

You know, I’m not really a big fan of contest skating. As much as I would like to skate good at contests, I never seem to get into it. Once in awhile I’ll have a good run at a comp, but that’s about it. I guess it has a lot to do with not skating park too often. But maybe one day I’ll come around and get into it.

With that being said, do you ever plan on skating in WRS events?

Yeah, I’m going to give it a shot again this year. We’ll see what happens!

This past year was pretty crazy. What are your plans for 2010, and what can the blading community expect to see from you in the upcoming months?

I have some things in the works for 2010. I have DVD section dropping in February for a video produced out of NJ (I already finished my part) also starring Mark Wodja and Alex Nunez. So people might want to check that out… maybe some new pro product… who knows. We will all have to wait till 2010 to see.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions for us, I’m sure the rollerblading community appreciates it just as much as we do here at ONE. Any shout outs or thanks you might have, feel free to drop those right here!

Yeah, shout outs to my big bro, Eric Dalnas and JWU (32 and 34 and still blading); Isaac Oltmans, thanks for everything, you’re the man; Gabe Holm; Taylor Green; Mo, Smokes. To all my sponsors: USD, Eulogy wheels, Crap Bearings, Con.Artist, Kizer, Amall—thanks for the hook up. Also shout to my big boobie gf, keep on looking good, and thank you very much Justin and Wes for giving me this opportunity.

Questions © 2009 Ben Karris

Photos © 2009 Paul Louis Yacovone III