Wake Schepman Exclusive Edit by Ryan D’Souza from Be-Mag on Vimeo.
SO, WHO ARE YOU, HOW OLD ARE YOU, AND WHO ARE YOUR SPONSORS?
My name is Wake Schepman. I’m 13 yrs old. My sponsors are Denial Clothing, Neglected Truth Skateshop in Philadelphia and Razor Skates.
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN SKATING?
I have been blading for about 7 years and still going.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO ROLLING IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I first starting blading after I saw this show on the Nickelodeon channel called “Rocket Power.” I started blading ’cause out of all the sports, I loved it the most. We had just moved to Pennsylvania and my Dad took me to see the X-Games in Philadelphia when I was 5. I remember this guy did a huge soul grind down a big bank and, at the time, I thought that was the coolest thing in the world.
YOU’RE REALLY YOUNG TO BE PRO AND YOU’RE REALLY GOOD, YET YOU SEEM VERY DOWN TO EARTH. HOW DO YOU KEEP FROM GETTING A BIG HEAD?
If I get cocky, my Dad will knock me out! No, Just kidding. That is how I was raised, to never be too proud and always be humble. I’ve had the opportunity to make extra money by modeling and so I have learned how important it is to be a hard worker. I also am involved in a lot of other activities like Boy Scouts and weekly church activities.
WHAT’S IT LIKE COMPETING AGAINST GUYS TWICE YOUR AGE?
Everyone has always been way older than me so I’m just used to skating with people older than me now and it’s fun. They have taught me a lot. Everyone has always been really cool and helped me with tricks that I might be struggling with.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TRICKS AND WHAT’S A NEW TRICK YOU’RE TRYING TO LEARN?
Favorite tricks? Unity, 540’s, 900’s, linking lines together with switch and regular tricks in skateparks.
New tricks that I’m working on? 1260.
YOU TRAVEL WITH A LOT OF THE RAZORS GUYS AS WELL AS WITH A LOT OF OTHER PROS. WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO? WHO’S COOL TO HANG OUT WITH ON TOUR?
Guys I like to skate with are: Cameron Card, Montre, Jon Jon, Brian Aragon, Dre Powell, Murda, Killgore,Haffey,Broscow,David Sizemore, Majette. Who I look up to and as a role model is Cameron Card. Him and I went on a roadtrip from PA to Utah. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY? THEY’RE OBVIOUSLY REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR SKATING…
My family will support me no matter what my interests are. I love them a lot. I have 2 younger brothers, Skyler and Gavin. My Dad is awesome, he is like my best friend. My Mom is always loving and cheerful. She is always there for me and a great teacher too. I love how my parents like to get involved and watch me skate and encourage me. I have the coolest parents ever.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE PLANNED THIS YEAR? AIL? WRS? TOURS?
I’m going to compete in all the WRS events that I can make it to this year. I will attend and support as many AIL events I can make it to as well. I’m looking forward to the AIL World Championships at the end of the year out at Woodward West. I’ll be at Woodward West and East this summer training. I hope to go the Montreal Classic and SDSF this year too. I am actually going to be busy this summer here too. We are gonna add an addition to my ramp and I do modeling jobs on the side to make some extra $$’s.
THANKS WAKE! ANY LAST WORDS?
Thanks, Ben, for the interview and opportunity to talk about skating. Shouts to Killgore, Majette, the whole Denial team, the whole Razors team, Mac/Andy/Jeff, Brazillionaire, all my friends at Woodward over the years, Coop, Nemo, Bennett, Valasquez Family, Bickmore family, Cameron Card, my friends back in Clarks Summit and all my friends in NJ, NY, PA and most of all my family and everyone else that has taken time to help me out. Did I miss anyone?
Images:
– Wake at Bitter Cold Showdown 2010 shot by Drew Humphrey
– Box Jam, Stale Grab, shot by Mike Bennet
– Portrait
– On Long Island
– Backyard Air, clip from Ryan D’Souza
– AO Top Acid, clip from Ryan D’Souza
– 180 from the Roller back into the Lip, shot by Mike Bennet
– Wall Ride, shot by Mike Bennet
