I wanted to do an interview with a company that sponsors skimboarders, as an educational piece for groms wanting desperately to be sponsored. The photos are of the team riders XTOutfitters sponsors, including a short bio for each, and the interview is with owner Paul Barker.
Words by Kelli Bean
Q: Name?
A: Paul Barker – my friends call me Pablo
Q: Company name and description?
A: XTOutfitters is a skate/surf/skim/outdoor shop. Basically whatever I enjoy doing or want to try, we’ll stock in the shop.
Q: How were you introduced to skimboarding?
A: When I was in Scouts, my scout master showed us how to make them, then we took them to Santa Cruz and would skim on them. Some of the best memories growing up were taking my skimboard that I made to Santa Cruz.
Q: How long have you been part of the industry?
A: 2004
Q: You sponsor a lot of female athletes. Why?
A: Simple, I’m a feminist. I just don’t think women get the attention they deserve. We want to help shine a light on these talented athletes.
Q: You sponsor both flatland and wave riders, which is unusual for a company. What inspires you to support both styles?
A: Well when I grew up skimming it was essentially just flatland. The first rider we ever sponsored was flatland skimmer Lexi Hutchings when she was just 16 or 17. So we have always had a loyalty to flatland. Sponsoring wave riders was just the obvious thing to do because that side of the sport is much bigger.
Q: What do you look for in an athlete?
A: Positivity is the biggest requirement. We want athletes to be stoked on the sport and stoked to be repping us.
Q: What are your expectations for your team riders?
A: Social media is a big thing for us, since most of our clientele are online. So the biggest thing we want from our athletes is post a lot of pictures of them doing their sport. It helps inspire others to get involved with the sport and to get outside. It also helps others to push themselves in their individual sports.
Q: What are some perks of being sponsored?
A: Besides the fact that you are associated with us? It depends on the athlete, their skill level, how many followers, etc. But one of the best perks is exposure, a lot of our athletes will be picked up by other brands because of the exposure we give them. That is always a cool thing.
Q: As a sponsor, what advice do you have for groms day-dreaming about being a team rider?
A: Get on social media and get a following in your sport.
Q: Where would you like to see the sport go in the future?
A: I’m really digging that the UST is now in Brazil. I would want to see more spots open up on the tour. It would be cool to have more wait periods for skim competitions so that we can see the best riders on the best waves. I don’t think that will happen until there’s more money spent on the sport, so I don’t know when that will happen.
Team rider: Amber Torrealba
Photos by Johnathon Claypool
Q: Age?
A: 23
Q: Skim style?
A: Wave riding
Q: Years skimming?
A: 7
Q: Favorite tricks?
A: Backside airs and grabs!
Q: Best thing about skimboarding?
A: The freedom of expression through style, tricks, and all around a feeling like non else! Everyday is a different challenge and there’s always something else to learn.
Q: Sponsored by?
A: Hitcase, Freak Traction, Boardstix, Unlimited Drop, NPI Productions, Tomahawk Shades, XTOutfitters, GoPole, and last but not least #besomebody
Q: Where will you be competing in 2014?
A: Florida, OBX NC, Delaware, California, and hopefully more!
Tean rider: Lexi Hutchings
Photos by Sara Holt
Q: Age?
A: 27
Q: Skim style?
A: Flatland
Q: Years skimming?
A: 12
Q: Favorite tricks?
A: Pop shovits, shov grabs, variations on rails
Q: Best thing about skimboarding?
A: The adrenaline rush, the tricks, the people, the rails
Q: Sponsored by?
A: DB Skimboards, Let’s Party Traction, Freestyle Watches, XTOutfitters and Railwerx
Q: Where will you be competing in 2014?
A: In 2014, I will honestly be doing more skim filming, than competing. I will be attending a board event in Lake Powell, which should be a big event.
Team rider: Erin Carpenter
Photos by Joe Bailey
Q: Age?
A: 27
Q: Skim style?
A: Wave riding
Q: Years skimming?
A: 5
Q: Favorite trick?
A: The rare occasion I can get barrelled.
Q: Best thing about skimboarding?
A: The better you get, the more fun it is. It’s completely addicting.
Q: Sponsored by?
A: XTOutfitters
Q: Where will you be competing in 2014?
A: The VIC and Oktoberfest
Team rider: Anna Penn
Photo by Shane Zundel
Q: Age?
A: 23
Q: Skim style?
A: Flatland
Q: Years skimming?
A: 5
Q: Favorite trick?
A: Ollies
Q: Best thing about skimboarding?
A: Getting to do something I love to do in a place where I love to be.
Q: Sponsored by?
A: Zed Skimboards and XTOutfitters
Q: Where will you be competing in 2014?
A: Poland for the Dakine Polish Skim Open
Team rider: Alexandra Badie
Photos by Joe Bailey
Q: Age?
A: 17
Q: Skim style?
A: Wave riding
Q: Years skimming?
A: 12
Q: Favorite trick?
A: 520
Q: Best thing about skimboarding?
A: The thrill and the community.
Q: Sponsored by?
A: XTOutfitters
Q: Where will you be competing in 2014?
A: The VIC, OBX, Florida, Santa Cruz, Oktoberfest
…
Media Links:
XTOutfitters
www.xtoutfitters.com
YouTube – XTOutfitters
Facebook Page – XTOutfitters
Instagram – @xtoutfitters
Twitter – @xtoutfitters
New store opens mid May – 3111 N. Canyon Rd, Provo, UT 84604
Amber Torrealba
www.ambertorrealba.com
Facebook Page – Amber Torrealba
Instagram – @ambstooreal
Twitter – @AmberTorrealba
Lexi Hutchings
Facebook Page – Lexi Hutchings: Beyond the Limits
Instagram – @lexihutchings1
Erin Carpenter
Instagram – @510nicki
Anna Penn
Instagram – @nanspenn
Alexandra Badie
Facebook Page – Alexandra Badie
Instagram – @asurfergirl
Twitter – @lbskimchick
