GRIP
GRIP

Samuel Moilanen

WHO

My name is Samuel Moilanen, born in Finland but raised in The Hague Holland. I am a skateboarder and tattooer living in Turku, Finland.

MEMORY LANE

How and when did you get involved with skateboarding?

I started skating in The Hague in 2000 when I had to choose between a football or a skateboard for my 9th birthday. There was a kid skating around the street where we lived and then we started skating together.

First trick you learned or struggled with the most?

I really struggled with kickflips when I was a kid, I landed heelflip and kickflip bodyvarial first. For some reason turning my body whilst flipping made it doable.

Best/worst memory in your skateboarding history?

One crazy memory was when the local skateshop in The Hague asked if I wanted to skate a "demo" for the Queen of Holland. I was probably 12 and we had to do it at this shitty half skatepark half playground. The occasion was Queensday and the royal family basically go around some city every year and I got to meet the prince who is now the King of Holland which is pretty sick. My mom won't ever forget because she saw me on TV skating wearing a K-Supermarket Plussa t-shirt that I got from my grandma instead of all the cool skate shirts my parents got me.

Ever been in a skategang? What is/was it called?

I moved to Finland in 2011 and I met Fifi (Ville Leppänen) who asked if I wanted to film a part for his video. Since then I have proudly represented Otos from Jyväskylä.

STYLE

How would you describe your skating?

Probably street, I don't know. I try to pop high and go fast.

What kind of spots do you prefer?

The perfect spot is a plaza for sure, just curbs and ledges. Luckily we have many of them in Turku.

What kind of a skateboard setup do you have?

I've been riding Otos boards since Fifi has been making them. I just switched from Thunder to Indy for the first time because someone told me you can slide easier because the wheels don't touch the ledge and I have to say it's true. Bones wheels and swiss bones bearings.

Favorite trick?

Fakie 3flip.

PHILOSOPHY

How has skateboarding changed the way you perceive the world?

My life wouldn't be the same without skateboarding. As a skateboarder you don't give up easily, keep falling down and getting back up. It builds character. Also I've traveled a lot and everywhere you go with a skateboard you meet good people. Locals show the best food spots, skate spots, beer spots all the good non touristy shit.

Has skateboarding affected the way you make music or other things?

I always drew on everything, my board, grip, walls, books whatever. So my first tattoo was of a skateboard and it's honestly pretty shit, but one of the only tattoos with meaning. Long story short, now I'm a tattooer.

How do you see skateboarding as a culture now or compared to when you started skating?

It's very similar to when I was younger. Big difference is the exposure, social media and all that is a big focus for kids nowadays. Everybody filming each other for the gram constantly. It somehow feels more serious, but maybe its just people making memories and I'm over thinking it. I'm just stoked skating is more accepted now but I still want it to stay grimey.

ART

What music have you discovered through skateboarding?

All music, one of my first rap cds was given to by some dude at the local skateshop. I just walked in one time and was like can I buy a cd of something you guys listen to. So dude just gave me some cd and I was hyped. Of course skate videos where massive to finding good music pre internet.

Favorite song to skate to?

Any good hip hop from a speaker, I don't skate with headphones.

Who are the skaters/musicians you look up to?

Tiago Lemos, Lucas Puig, Brian Wenning, Tommy Guerrerro, so many more and all the homies I skate with.

Favorite skateboard graphics of all time?

It's a sentimental graphic of my homie who passed away, Rest Easy Tully! 

Favorite skate video or part of all time?

It would be easy to say some classic but I'm going with all GX1000 videos because they are sick.

GRIP

Bs smith at riverside Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Photo by Alexander Olivera.

HEALTH

Have you had any bad injuries?

I got sponsored when I was 18 then fucked my knee 3 months later and was out for almost a year. Then I super tweaked my ankle in 2015 and i literally havent been able to kickflip the same ever since.

Beverage of choice when skating?

Water of course but maybe 6 x 2,4% cold Lapin Kulta Pure. So you stay hydrated and don't get too drunk too quick.

How do you take care of your body before and after skating if you do that at all?

I try to open my ankles and knees using the balance board before sessions and then sauna and little strech after but none of this happens every time but definitely something before and after. Bit of this bit of that.

Final words of wisdom or motivation for the young ones?

Keep it real and don't let anyone tell you you can't just skate (and draw) through life. You can do whatever the fuck you want, just be kind and humble whilst doing it.

↑

Samuel Moilanen

WHO

My name is Samuel Moilanen, born in Finland but raised in The Hague Holland. I am a skateboarder and tattooer living in Turku, Finland.

MEMORY LANE

How and when did you get involved with skateboarding?

I started skating in The Hague in 2000 when I had to choose between a football or a skateboard for my 9th birthday. There was a kid skating around the street where we lived and then we started skating together.

First trick you learned or struggled with the most?

I really struggled with kickflips when I was a kid, I landed heelflip and kickflip bodyvarial first. For some reason turning my body whilst flipping made it doable.

Best/worst memory in your skateboarding history?

One crazy memory was when the local skateshop in The Hague asked if I wanted to skate a "demo" for the Queen of Holland. I was probably 12 and we had to do it at this shitty half skatepark half playground. The occasion was Queensday and the royal family basically go around some city every year and I got to meet the prince who is now the King of Holland which is pretty sick. My mom won't ever forget because she saw me on TV skating wearing a K-Supermarket Plussa t-shirt that I got from my grandma instead of all the cool skate shirts my parents got me.

Ever been in a skategang? What is/was it called?

I moved to Finland in 2011 and I met Fifi (Ville Leppänen) who asked if I wanted to film a part for his video. Since then I have proudly represented Otos from Jyväskylä.

STYLE

How would you describe your skating?

Probably street, I don't know. I try to pop high and go fast.

What kind of spots do you prefer?

The perfect spot is a plaza for sure, just curbs and ledges. Luckily we have many of them in Turku.

What kind of a skateboard setup do you have?

I've been riding Otos boards since Fifi has been making them. I just switched from Thunder to Indy for the first time because someone told me you can slide easier because the wheels don't touch the ledge and I have to say it's true. Bones wheels and swiss bones bearings.

Favorite trick?

Fakie 3flip.

GRIP

Bs smith at riverside Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Photo by Alexander Olivera.

PHILOSOPHY

How has skateboarding changed the way you perceive the world?

My life wouldn't be the same without skateboarding. As a skateboarder you don't give up easily, keep falling down and getting back up. It builds character. Also I've traveled a lot and everywhere you go with a skateboard you meet good people. Locals show the best food spots, skate spots, beer spots all the good non touristy shit.

Has skateboarding affected the way you make music or other things?

I always drew on everything, my board, grip, walls, books whatever. So my first tattoo was of a skateboard and it's honestly pretty shit, but one of the only tattoos with meaning. Long story short, now I'm a tattooer.

How do you see skateboarding as a culture now or compared to when you started skating?

It's very similar to when I was younger. Big difference is the exposure, social media and all that is a big focus for kids nowadays. Everybody filming each other for the gram constantly. It somehow feels more serious, but maybe its just people making memories and I'm over thinking it. I'm just stoked skating is more accepted now but I still want it to stay grimey.

ART

What music have you discovered through skateboarding?

All music, one of my first rap cds was given to by some dude at the local skateshop. I just walked in one time and was like can I buy a cd of something you guys listen to. So dude just gave me some cd and I was hyped. Of course skate videos where massive to finding good music pre internet.

Favorite song to skate to?

Any good hip hop from a speaker, I don't skate with headphones.

Who are the skaters/musicians you look up to?

Tiago Lemos, Lucas Puig, Brian Wenning, Tommy Guerrerro, so many more and all the homies I skate with.

Favorite skateboard graphics of all time?

It's a sentimental graphic of my homie who passed away, Rest Easy Tully! 

Favorite skate video or part of all time?

It would be easy to say some classic but I'm going with all GX1000 videos because they are sick.

HEALTH

Have you had any bad injuries?

I got sponsored when I was 18 then fucked my knee 3 months later and was out for almost a year. Then I super tweaked my ankle in 2015 and i literally havent been able to kickflip the same ever since.

Beverage of choice when skating?

Water of course but maybe 6 x 2,4% cold Lapin Kulta Pure. So you stay hydrated and don't get too drunk too quick.

How do you take care of your body before and after skating if you do that at all?

I try to open my ankles and knees using the balance board before sessions and then sauna and little strech after but none of this happens every time but definitely something before and after. Bit of this bit of that.

Final words of wisdom or motivation for the young ones?

Keep it real and don't let anyone tell you you can't just skate (and draw) through life. You can do whatever the fuck you want, just be kind and humble whilst doing it.

↑