Well at first, I didn't even know it was happening; I don't think anyone did. I just kind of kept accumulating clips with Jon and I wasn't really sure what they would get put to use in, if anything at all. Then after the initial launch of the 90 Second Edit he mentioned that he thought I should do one and I was suddenly filled with purpose, skating-wise. It was a lot of fun going out with this in mind. We went to a bunch of new spots I had never skated before thanks to "James the Scout." It was also a bit warm outside.

Which kinds of obstacles do you prefer to skate?

Ledges, I guess. I've always felt at home on them. During my first year of blading after learning to grind on curbs, I would go day after day to this park a mile from my parents' house and try to learn everything I could on these stone benches, in my thrashed K2 Style Point Bobs with ridden-to-the-core wheels and broken soulplates. I eventually made it around to rails but I never had the same level of comfort with them and they still make me kind of nervous.

- Ryan Daily

For the longest time, Jon had been talking about this "Lightrail Gap" in Downtown Phoenix. He explained as a little dip between the tracks that made a launch out into the street and I was pretty excited to go check it out. Not only was it an homage to my Monday-Friday commute on the damn thing but it sounded pretty fun too. We needed daylight for the clip so Jon agreed to pick my skates and stuff up from my house while I was at work and meet me Downtown on my way home. We got there, put on blades, rolled around and across the tracks to get a feel for the jump and one minute later two lightrail security cars and two police cars roll up, lights a-blaze. We get a safety lecture and a $129 fine each and they sent us on our way. I'm not raging about it, though. I figure with as much as I've trespassed through the duration of my blading career, a few tickets shouldn't be a surprise. But a word to the wise: don't skate the Lightrail tracks, haha.

Your skate setup is definitely different than most - what are you rocking? Why do you like skating them this way?

After semi-extensive skate company soul searching (to the chagrin of my wallet), I now know what my personal setup is: Valo/Roces M12 boot mold with Nimh V.2 souls and GC FLT 2's. It takes a bit of cutting and sanding but this is the perfect compromise of comfort and performance for me. I love the Valo shells but hate the souls; I hate the Nimh boot but love the soulframes; I hate the bulk and superfluousness of the skins of both companies. This skate is my Middle-Path to blade-lightenment. I skate the GC's because they've never let me down and are agriculturally themed.

Outside of skating, what are you into?

Friends, girlfriend, shooting photos, getting out of Phoenix for whatever, playing musics, enjoying musics, tinkering with my bike, making trite t-shirt designs, eating, drinking, sleeping, living, dying.


When Jon and I first started planning on which skaters we wanted to feature this year for our 90 Second Edits - your name came up right away. We wanted to showcase your style the best way possible. What is your motivation to skate the way you do?

Pure enjoyment. I could never quit skating for that reason alone. I just roll around and stay comfortable and joke with friends. I'll never take it any more seriously than that for myself because it's a hobby, not an obligation. GiRlZ JuSt WaNnA hAv fUn

What does having a 90 Second Edit mean to you?

To me, it means I've reached a peak of some sort. To be appreciated by other rollerbladers is all I could ask for out of this sport. I'm not doing any of this for money or free sh*t. I do it simply because it's something I love. It's a great feeling and privilege to be offered this kind of spotlight knowing people actually want to see it me do rollerblading maneuvers. I have James/Gretchen to thank for making it possible, Jon to thank for filming, and all the Arizona bladers I've met along the way to who have influenced me and shared a good time. Of all the things I'll do and become, I'll always be a rollerblader. Sh*t, it also means rent is due. (first of the month)