Converse ambassador and San Diego native Tom Remillard is an all-terrain slaying machine. Last August, he beat out Brazilian wunderkind Pedro Barros and Tony Hawk to win the Coastal Carnage bowl contest at the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach. Now, he skates for the newly-formed Dickies skate team. We caught up with Remillard to find out what else he's been up to.
ESPN.com: You sort of remind me of a young Ralph Macchio. I hear you are a karate expert?
Tom Remillard: Yes I was, the karate teacher guy was weird, though.
Black belt level or what?
Yeah, I got a black belt before I quit.
Who would you refer to as your Mr. Miyagi?
My dad.
So does Washington Street serve as your official training grounds?
I grew up skating street, but then all my friends went to high school and quit on me. When the Claremont Skatepark opened, I started skating the bowl from time to time. Then I made friends with the kids at the park and sooner or later, I migrated over to Washington Street.
All that training paid off last year. You won the Coastal Carnage.
I don't train, I just skate a lot.
What did you do with all your winnings?
Oh, I'm saving it.
I heard you bought a Cadillac.
Yeah, I saved up for that Caddy.
Is your bent wrist permanently screwed?
Yes!
What are you not able to do with a bent wrist?
It works 100 percent. It's better if I clench my fist super hard.
When did you know it was time to go for the loop out in the wild?
We saw it and I was like, 'I can't loop that.' Ethan Fowler quickly replied, 'You'd be a lot cooler if you did.' I was yearning to be cool so I gave it my best.
Did you practice at a park or somewhere before getting lobbed into a real one?
Yeah.
Is Div still living with you?
Yeah, I don't know what I would do without him. If there's a hole in the wall, he's on it. If everyone's bummed on themselves, he's on it. I guess there's three words to explain Div: He's on it!
What's in store for you this year?
Skateboard as much as I can.
Any good closing road story you would like to share with everyone?
One time, Angel Ramirez tripped over his own hands.
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