iCanLookFly

You may have seen our tweets and Facebook posts asking for some great skaters to get in contact for an interview. Well we had no luck that way so we turned to our usual method of hunting down what we want and boy did we find it. Kilian Martin is without doubt the best skater we have come across online. He recently starred in his own video ‘A Skate Regeneration’ which went viral and has amassed over 1 million hits on YouTube to date. Kilian’s talent stretches beyond your average kickflip. Kilian has recently appeared in the new Lucozade Sport Lite advert and has also wowed crowds at the Ministry of Sound with DJ Fresh. His balance, finesse and skills on a board with four wheels are second to none. Having watched most of the footage of Kilian on YouTube we thought it was about time we got in contact with him to find out about his roots, his skateboarding and his ambitions for the future…

Where did you learn to skate?

I learnt to skate in Madrid (Spain). After that I moved to a few places but Alcorcon city in Madrid is where it all started.

Which skaters inspired you growing up?

I always loved the 70’s and 80’s footage …so skaters like Pierre Andre, Per Welinder but also skaters like Jason Adams and Geoff Rowley.

Who are your favourite skaters at the moment?

I think Chris Haslam. I also really like Mike Vallely and his point of view on skateboarding.

Do you have a favourite place to skate?

I think my favourite spot is parallel in Barcelona. I like many other different spots like Venice Highschool or Belmount Highschool in L.A.

What drew you to skateboarding?

A friend and the fact that skateboarding would improve my surfing skills. After a while it became just a matter of having fun.

Are you sponsored?

Yes by Vision Streetwear, Sk8kings and Stance Skate Shop (Madrid).

What are the best and worst things about skating?

The best thing about skateboarding is that you are free to create what you want and skate the way you like. The worst is that some people try to control everything and they don’t want to see that freedom emerging.

Skaters have a certain look, would you say you dress like the typical skater?

I don’t think every skater dresses the same. I try to have my own personality and it’s reflected on the taste of clothing that I like. It might not be the typical look but I dress the way I like.

What do you like to do to relax? 

I like to draw, watch movies, listen to music, do some reading…all of that can be very relaxing.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Patrick Watson, Villagers, Otis Redding, Arcade Fire, Adolescents, Minor Threat….

Where is home for you?

California or Spain.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Pulling out the video ‘A Skate Regeneration’ and being able to see how all that hard work paid off.

What are your ambitions for the future?

Get a house in California, get a classic sports car and stop in every California beach having a surfing/skate session. I’m also excited about the new video coming out in August.

Do you have a favourite trick?

I don’t have favourite tricks. I really like nollie gazelle and coconut wheelie among others because they take me to different combinations.

If you could teach one celebrity to skate who would it be and why?

I would like Goonies 2  to come out. In this one the treasure would be a golden skateboard which they get to skate. It would be great to teach Corey Feldman and Sean Astin.

You have been involved in a number of exciting projects. Are there any that have stood out so far?

One of my favourite projects was doing a skate parade in Orange County in 2009 and 2010. Definitely filming ‘Skate Regeneration’ in Barcelona was really epic.

And finally, what makes Kilian Martin FLY?

Its gotta be an interesting job or visiting friends or family. A new video to make is one of the reasons as well.

Now you have learnt more about Kilian and his skating roots we are sure you like us are fans. We cannot wait to see Kilian’s next video. Kilian has taken skating to a new level in this video. To be able to utilise two boards, balance whilst doing a handstand on a board and so much more seems to challenge physics. It is incredible to see the boundary in sports being pushed and Kilian Martin is doing just that. FLY for defying the laws of skateboarding; art on wheels as it says on Kilian’s website.

We have been fortunate enough to secure an interview with the director and creator of ‘A Skate Regeneration’ Brett Novak. So FLY fans look out for the interview with Brett in this two part special on the skateboarder and the skateboarding video director.