Dominic Bruce is 17 years old, he is riding for some of the most respected companies in blading and he has won the Winterclash Juniors Competition in 2013. These are the boring facts that don’t really tell anything about Dominic besides that he’s talented on them blades. But there’s much much more to tell about this young guy from Scotland. He is what could be the prototype of tomorrows pro rider, a role model or however you want to call it. He makes blading look sick with every move; he is eloquent, intelligent, funny, interesting and an overall great personality. He seems much older than he is and after spending some time with him you already know he has a bright future ahead, on and off the wheels.
Dominic recently spent some time on the road with the Haitian family and we are proud to present this Checking in feature with him. Find out about his tour-life, what he learned on the road and how it is to be back in reality.
Photo: Dominik Wagner
Text: Johannes Jacobi
Hey Dominic, where are you right now and what did you do before you started answering my questions?
Hey Jojo, I just finished having a lovely brunch with my parents, then listened to some Jerry Garcia and David Crosby and at the moment I am in work, enjoying a cup of Yogi Tea writing to you. Great little quotes on the teabags – today’s one reads – “no person is weak, but some are relaxed”
On Sundays I clean an office building down the road from my house. It helps to pay for some of my travels and is a pretty easy going thing to do on a Sunday morning.
You just got back home after two months of travelling. How long exactly have you been on the road and could you list all places you’ve visited?
I got home on Saturday the 16th of august and had left previously on the 11th of June. I was on the road for a solid two months.
I started out in London, – that was a great meeting of faces old and new, good clips and good weather greeted us.
Then came Summerclash and the Berlin days – thanks for your part played in that, very grateful to have such an event every year to look forward too.
From Berlin onwards we went to Copenhagen – one of the funniest bus rides of my life. All the hermanos packed into one bus – musical breaks, a ferry over the Baltic Sea during sunrise and Dylan running after the bus as we nearly left him on the ferry sleeping.
From Copenhagen we ventured over to Roskilde, 9 days of bliss and mayhem. One of the worlds wonders, such an incredible festival full of amazing people, music, art and cans. It just kept on giving!
We then went back to Copenhagen and got situated for a few weeks. We all had bikes and would just cruise around the city from spot to spot. The jazz festival was on while we were there so lots of good times all round. Danish people are some of the best to spend time with, tak homies.
An early morning bus ride took us into The Netherlands for our next stop, Amsterdam.
Some nice clips were had, Bina got broke off, we peddled some boats, blessed some jah and off we went to France.
France holds some of the fondest memories of the trip and gained some lifetime bromies. Paris was beautiful, great city to be in with so much history and could not thank Etienne, Louis and Elodie and Simon enough for their help. We will forever be in your debt.
Onwards we went to Lyon, the unpredicted last stop of the European tour. Lyon was a beautiful riverside city and Klemen is the biggest homie for his help with a place to stay. Thanks so much to everyone in Lyon. Can’t even begin to name names as there was just too many homies that helped us out in any way possible and you know who you are. Unfortunately Lyon nearly took one of our brothers, the rather sobering experience of Seba’s accident changed plans but so thankful that he is alive and on the road to recovery. Love you bro. Strongest person I know and to have survived such an accident I know he will come out stronger than ever before.
Photo: Dominik Wagner
Who was part of the crew and did you know all of the guys before?
The crew started out in London as; Bina, Dylan, Jona, Seba, Teezy and Myself. Then in Berlin, we took that crazy Portuguese film maker under our wing – Martim. I didn’t know any of the guys on a face to face level before really, the only person I had met before was Martim. For the rest of the guys they knew each other personally. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people. Can truly say they are brothers now. Was the perfect way to introduce each other by diving right in too two months travelling together.
Could you please pick 4 different moments and explain why the stood out and what made that days/moments special to you during the time on the road?
Now that I am home and having time to reflect on the trip I would probably say I couldn’t pick a specific moment as everyday was just a progressively better feeling than the previous day really. It’s like the whole thing was one big motion. Being able to even separate experiences and days from each other is hard because to me it all comes as one. All the experiences together prove how strong the bond was and how great it was. There were plenty not so great times, but you need those to have the good times. It’s the duality of life. You learn more usually from the bad times than you do from the good times. It would be hard to express the feelings or explain in words the moments from the trip. I would say, wait till the video and the magazine is out. I feel it will be the closest you will get to an explanation of the tour. Plus, some things are best left untold.
Photo: Louis Villar – a stop off at the louvre in Paris.
What was your favorite place/city and why?
Each city had something unique and eye catching going for it. Paris was one of my favorites for its rustic, artistic feeling – but then Lyon felt a lot like a quite version of some parts of Paris, which was also great. Copenhagen was also one of the best cities we visited. I feel that the way you view a city is mainly down to the people. The people are what connect with you most, the people have the potential to make or break your trip. But for this trip, the people we met, spent time with and became friends with only expressed to me more how many beautiful, giving and talented people the world has to offer. The world gives all that you need to survive; it’s what you do with it that counts. Thanks to all the people we met along the road.
How old are you right now and how do your parents feel about letting their boy travel the world all by himself in such young age?
Just last week I turned 17 years old. I can’t believe it’s been 17 years on this planet already and feel lucky to be here – alive and living. I could not thank my parents enough for their support in my recent travels. It took a while of discussing and going over, but in the end it all worked out fine, with the agreement that when I came home I would continue my studies. It would not have been possible without them. I really will never be able to express how happy and grateful I am for them letting me follow that path. Ever since I started they have been my biggest supporters, so it’s really amazing to still have that support in what I do. It’s important for me to know that my parents enjoy what I do, as it becomes enjoyable for them to.
Photo: Klemen Barbazof – The homies minus Dylan, and the seufferheld brothers cooking it up in the lyon household.
Coming back to Scotland and going back to school must be a pretty interesting reality-check after being on the road and living a totally different lifestyle during the summer. How did you deal with it and is it hard to connect with the people in school again?
Going back has been interesting; I have just started my new course in Photography and look forward to continuing that. I haven’t really had the chance to connect with anyone in my class as of yet as it is a new course which means new people and the first few weeks are always busy. Right now, I’m still in the travelling state of mind, but more internal travelling – into my thoughts and feelings of the trip. The best way to deal with anything is through meditation – so that has definitely been helping. Hopefully going to produce some zines from my travels, so making some plans for that at the moment.
While being on the road and at all these events, you must have been confronted with pretty heavy drinking, drugs and partying in general. How do you deal with that and is it hard to not get lost when being surrounded by older people living the wild life?
Of course these things happen, but to be honest it happens in all walks of life – it is sometimes more fun to observe it all but then it is sometimes fun to join in. I personally don’t enjoy drinking much so it’s not really a problem. I feel getting lost would be the result of enjoying the drug/drink induced state more than a pure state. For now, I enjoy myself without these things more. Although I do believe that they are great tools to find out things. But you should only use the tools when you need them and then put them back in the box. They can be useful and fun – but also dangerous. You just need to know when to take them.
Photo: Gabriel Hyden – A pre-session didgeridoo blast, at Christians place in Norrebro, Copenhagen. Thanks for having us Christian, beautiful home. Such a great vibe!
Did that trip change your perspective on certain things? What would be the most important thing that you learned in that time away from home?
Some of the most important things I learnt while I was away from home would be to live in the present; it’s great to think of memories of the past and enjoy the state of mind that brings but to live in the past causes confusion. The same applies to the future, as everything in and out of your power is too impermanent to predict. Another thing I learnt while being away would be the power of energy – there is an abundance of good energy for you to absorb through whatever way possible and also the law of attraction is something for everyone to consider. Giving without expecting anything in return – To give is to get. To break life down to the basics and live as simple as possible – to live more than simple is confusion. I feel I am happiest when I am living as simple as possible. I have learnt more on my travels than any book could tell me. It was truly a study into self – that study is ongoing.
I know you like to paint a lot. Is that something you would like to focus on a little more in the future, or is that just a thing on the side and for fun?
I studied art and design last year and during that time I noticed that maybe I was better to create art outside of formal education. I felt like it was too strict and restricted creativity. I love painting and the course taught me a lot but for now I am going to stick to doing it on the side as free as possible with no restrictions.
Photo: Louis Villar – a visit to nomades skate shop in bastille, paris, for a stock up of parts and meeting of amigos. Thanks for having us!
What’s next for you? How does the rest of 2014 look like for you?
For the meantime I have a sore heel so I am resting up at the moment – practicing yoga, taking photos and going for walks – generating ideas. For blading I hope to take a trip to a few events – I will be at Shred cologne in October and possibly The Blading Cup in Santa Ana in November. I also am going to be filming for a few projects. Me and my brother Theodor Reumert also plan to make a trip later this year.
Thanks a lot Dominic, If you have anything you want to tell our readers, shout outs, whatever, this is your time.
Would just like to say to thank you eternally to my sponsors, family, friends and anyone who continues to be an inspiration or influence in my life. Thanks to my brothers and bromies – HAITIAN. Thank you to Buddha, Can, Ultimate Spinach, Water, Alan Watts, Baba Ram Dass, Ganesh and the Dalia Lama. Thanks to rollerblading. Thanks to Life and Thanks to you Jojo for this interview. Namaste.
Photo: Ettiene K-mus – Parisian mornings – Ettiene’s living room come bed sit – thanks for allowing us to cover your whole living space in bodies for our time spent in Paris! Very much appreciative and grateful for it.
Photo: Elodie Colombo – A gathering of friends, wizards, brothers and gurus. The steps of Bastille.
All of the members of the travelling Haitian brotherhood outside the train station in Copenhagen, away to leave for Amsterdam. This photo was taken by a commuter walking by, real nice framing brother, thanks:)
