Interview by Ryan Phelps
Luc Stevens is a sophomore at the University of Oregon. He grew up in Laguna Beach, California and has been skateboarding since he was four years old. He has continued to follow his passion since coming to school in Eugene, even with the complications of weather.
What is your favorite part about skateboarding?
It is just kind of a stress reliever. It is something that is fun to do when I have nothing better to do.
How often do you go skateboarding?
Everyday at least a little bit, honestly.
Are you able to skate as much as you like to in Eugene?
No, just because rain puts a toll on it. Most of the skate parks are outdoors so I mostly have to skate in parking garages or something and I am not used to that coming from Southern California where it is usually sunny.
Do you ever run into trouble with security at parking garages?
Yeah. Actually, a good amount. Almost every time I skate some place that is not a skate park there is always someone yelling at you to get out of there or security coming or the police coming. There is really no peace unless you are in a skate park.
How is it having a skate park in Eugene where you don’t have to worry about security coming?
Its pretty nice because back home the closest skate park was about 20 minutes away so I would mostly have to skate street spots or the half pipe in my back yard, but that got old. Its just nice having somewhere close to go to.
Are you excited about the skate park that is being built under the bridge so it will have cover over it?
Yeah I heard it will be year round and it is supposed to be one of the biggest in the northwest and its supposed to be lit. It should be a good one, definitely.
How does the rain affect you and your ability to skate?
Since skateboarding is my biggest hobby I really just haven’t had the chance to skate as much as I used to, just because of the rain being a huge factor. It just gets kind of annoying having rain for a couple weeks and not being able to skate anything.
You said you recently got a skate ramp in your house, how desperate does that mean you are to get out and skate.
Yeah exactly, when its pouring rain outside now I will always have somewhere to go. No one will hassle me except the people that live below me.
Where did you get the ramp?
It was actually free on craigslist. Someone was generous and trying to get rid of it.