Willys Workshop just released their first fitted cap produced by,.....us. The cap is embroidered with the "crosshammer" logo and is available in two colorways (Black and Red/White/Blue). They are available at both store locations in San Diego.
Willys Workshop is owned by none other than Willy Santos. If you don't know who that is, then you either don't know much about skating or haven't been doing it very long (or both) because he's been holding it down for around two decades. Just take a look at this old video of him back in 1991.
Old videos are way more entertaining than new ones. Anyway, he's legit and so is his shop, so you should spend your money there. We also hit Willy with a few questions, just for the fun of it and to get his opinion on a few things. So read up and enjoy.
1. How does it feel to be such an influential skater for over a decade? And what are the biggest changes you've seen from the time you turned pro to now?
First of all I'm just really thankful to be skating for such a longtime & it's a true blessing that I may have happened to influence skaters along the way. Just like many other pros, ams & friends over the years that I've skated with or seen skating have influence my skating today & in the past. I hope that's what I've been able to do for the future generations. Skaters like... Tony Hawk, Danny Way, Christian Hosoi, Steve Cabellero, Eric Koston, Guy Mariano, Marc Johnson, Daewon Song, Brian Lotti, June Cate, Jason Carney, John Reeves, Kien Liu (The Donger), Kyong Kim, Peter Smolik, Paul Rodriguez, Jamie Palmore & Jimmy Cao are the guys I've been influenced by. Some of the biggest changes I've seen since turning pro till now are... the trends of clothing & shoes we wear for example from the early punk, surf style of clothing to big pants small wheels, to T.A.P's. (Tight ASS Pants) Skating in High-tops & cutting them to lows. Now it's a mix of everything. The trends of skateboarding tricks... Now it's like if it looks clean & done well then it's all good. That's the way it should be. Also having all the skate-parks around is pretty amazing because when I was growing up skating in the late 80's skate-parks were for the most part closing down. Now they are everywhere.
2. Skating has gained so much popularity in recent years and with that popularity comes huge corporations trying to cash in. How do you feel about that and what would you like to see from skateboarding in the next few years?
It's good & bad that the big corporations have been getting involved with skateboarding. The good is that skateboarding has been seen by almost everyone around the world by movies, X-Games & TV shows such as Bam, Ryan Sheckler, Rob & Big. The bad that I see is that it's so popular now that it's harder to go street skating out on real spots not skate-parks.
3. Tricks have also become really tech these days. Do you think there are any more tricks to be invented or has Rodney Mullen already invented them all?
Skateboarding has definitely become really tech these days. There is still plenty of progression going on out there. I enjoy seeing combo's of old tricks & new tricks put together. Rodney pretty much did invent most of the flip tricks out there & is still inventing new tricks.
4. We all know you own the best skate shop in San Diego. How's juggling a career as an athlete and a shop owner?
Juggling a professional career in skateboarding & having the shops is fun & at times hard. My wife Shalihe manages the shops with the great help of our awesome staff. Pretty much when you own your own business you sleep & breathe it every day.
5. The shop carries the usual skate brands, but also a few select street wear brands like Crooks 'n' Castles, Hundreds, 10 Deep, etc. What's your take on skateboarding having such a heavy influence on recent fashion trends?
My take on skateboarding having a heavy influence on recent fashion trends is that the whole life style of skateboarding is marketable & profitable. People just eat it up. Everyone has style. Style or Stinkbug? You choose...
6. Ok now for the customary ender. Who would you like to send a shout out to?
I would like to thanks my sponsors... Birdhouse Skateboards, Venture Trucks, Ninja Bearings, Satori Wheels, Arnette, Iron Horse Griptape, Tiki Hut Island Grille, Willys Workshop Staff & Team Riders. Also Ryan & Raibyn Cabiling, Nam, Mike Stacks, Cameron Sanchez, Josh Holtz, RJ & Diether Ocampo my loving wife Shalihe. Be on the look out for Willys Workshop Philippines 2008. Sorry if I missed anybody. Here's my shameless plug Check out www.willysantos.com Thanks for the support & God Bless.
Thanks Willy.
-Nam
