CARL SHIPMAN INTERVIEW
Carl Shipman fucking killed it, and did so with an impeccable stye. Terrorising San Francisco in its heyday via caught kickflips, booze and good times. Never changing who he was to please anyone, Carl brought an English charm and beer drinking persona to America that quickly established him as one of the best skaters of that era.
Alright Shippo, so for those that don't know, what's it like to grow up in Worksop?
Think of it as mining town full of pubs and not much else. That's Worksop. Growing up there was ok, not much to skate but we made the most of what we had. It was known as a rough place, if you went to nearby towns for a drink, as soon as they knew you were from Worksop they would say 'no trouble tonight, lads', that was Worksop's reputation (laughs).
Think of it as mining town full of pubs and not much else. That's Worksop. Growing up there was ok, not much to skate but we made the most of what we had. It was known as a rough place, if you went to nearby towns for a drink, as soon as they knew you were from Worksop they would say 'no trouble tonight, lads', that was Worksop's reputation (laughs).
Are you living back there these days?
I'm not back there these days, no. I'm not too far away, but I now live in a little village. Nice and quiet in the countryside, just the way I like it these days, me and the family.
I'm not back there these days, no. I'm not too far away, but I now live in a little village. Nice and quiet in the countryside, just the way I like it these days, me and the family.
So yeah, if I am not mistaken, you and your brother used to skate vert a bit, what was your local ramp and how good did you get?
I first got sponsored by Vision for skating vert and anything with a transition. My local ramp was in Retford which is about 7 miles away from Worksop. It was in my mate's garden, it was a sick ramp. I loved vert, I like to think I was busting some moves out (laughs). I could get good air, kickflip grinds, backside tailslide shove its... I used to like lip tricks, but anything on vert felt good.
I first got sponsored by Vision for skating vert and anything with a transition. My local ramp was in Retford which is about 7 miles away from Worksop. It was in my mate's garden, it was a sick ramp. I loved vert, I like to think I was busting some moves out (laughs). I could get good air, kickflip grinds, backside tailslide shove its... I used to like lip tricks, but anything on vert felt good.
Who did you look up to in the vert scene back then?
I used to look up to guys like Tom Boyle, Mike Frazier, Buster Halterman, Chris Miller and dudes like that. Raw power but with a killer style. Sick.
I used to look up to guys like Tom Boyle, Mike Frazier, Buster Halterman, Chris Miller and dudes like that. Raw power but with a killer style. Sick.
Then you got fully into street, was that when you got onto Flip? Or was it still DeathBox back then?
It was just making the transition to Flip from Deathbox. I was stoked to be a part of it.
It was just making the transition to Flip from Deathbox. I was stoked to be a part of it.
Who was on Flip back then? Was it still the Deathbox types (Mouly and Wurzel etc) or had Penny and that got on yet?
When I got on Flip it was me, Penny, Geoff, Mouly, Rune, Andy Scott and a few others.
When I got on Flip it was me, Penny, Geoff, Mouly, Rune, Andy Scott and a few others.
You were getting a bit of coverage in English mags and doing pretty well, and then just as you had a board coming out, you switched to Stereo after a Munster comp, yeah?
I was hitting the comps in England and Europe winning some, and yeah I was doing ok.
I was hitting the comps in England and Europe winning some, and yeah I was doing ok.
Do you have any pics of that Globetrotter board you were meant to have on Flip?
It's funny because the Globetrotter ended up being Geoff's first board when I left - I think they printed over my graphic, but I regret to say I don't have any pics.
It's funny because the Globetrotter ended up being Geoff's first board when I left - I think they printed over my graphic, but I regret to say I don't have any pics.
Fuck I loved 101, sick team,
but my heart belonged to Stereo.
Were the Flip lads fucked off that you left?
To be honest they were all stoked for me to my face, but not sure it was like that behind my back. I really didn't give a shit to be honest, it just felt right to leave at that that time. No regrets, Stereo was were I wanted to be.
To be honest they were all stoked for me to my face, but not sure it was like that behind my back. I really didn't give a shit to be honest, it just felt right to leave at that that time. No regrets, Stereo was were I wanted to be.
That shit in your Big Brother interview calling them out on being Americanised and being vegan etc was classic, was there some beef there from both sides?
(laughs) I was a bit pissed. I had heard shit at that time, I'm quite outspoken so it was just how I was feeling at that time. I was just glad I left before they went to the states, I just felt like Flip wasn't for me. I was young and gobby (laughs), but all the success they have had is so deserved, I'm stoked for them guys. I have a lot of respect for all the Flip guys - it was part of my youth. Good times, and where they came from to where they are now is a real success story.
(laughs) I was a bit pissed. I had heard shit at that time, I'm quite outspoken so it was just how I was feeling at that time. I was just glad I left before they went to the states, I just felt like Flip wasn't for me. I was young and gobby (laughs), but all the success they have had is so deserved, I'm stoked for them guys. I have a lot of respect for all the Flip guys - it was part of my youth. Good times, and where they came from to where they are now is a real success story.
It must have been an honour to get an offer from Jason Lee who was pretty much the best in the world at the time...
It was a real honour. He was for sure one of the best, a real styler. He first came up to me at the outdoor park, he introduced himself to me then continued to say how stoked he was on the way I skated, so coming from him it was a real honour. All he had to do was push on a skateboard and you were like 'fuck'. So when he asked if I'd join Stereo I didn't even have to think about it.
It was a real honour. He was for sure one of the best, a real styler. He first came up to me at the outdoor park, he introduced himself to me then continued to say how stoked he was on the way I skated, so coming from him it was a real honour. All he had to do was push on a skateboard and you were like 'fuck'. So when he asked if I'd join Stereo I didn't even have to think about it.
There was also an offer from Plan B I believe? Who asked to you ride for them etc?
Yeah it was after the Radlands comp in Northampton. I'd gone home after the comp, back to Worksop, when my mum said there's someone on the phone for you. When I got on the phone it was Danny Way, he said 'dude come ride for us' he was straight to the point. I'd been hanging around with those guys at the comps and shit and then Colin McKay got on the phone and was like 'dude if you wanna stay with Stereo we respect that', then Duffy got on the phone, it was crazy all these guys were legends and them trying to get me on, I was stoked! It's funny because I gave in later on in my skating when Danny and Colin asked me to ride for DC shoes, I couldn't say no then, total legends.
Yeah it was after the Radlands comp in Northampton. I'd gone home after the comp, back to Worksop, when my mum said there's someone on the phone for you. When I got on the phone it was Danny Way, he said 'dude come ride for us' he was straight to the point. I'd been hanging around with those guys at the comps and shit and then Colin McKay got on the phone and was like 'dude if you wanna stay with Stereo we respect that', then Duffy got on the phone, it was crazy all these guys were legends and them trying to get me on, I was stoked! It's funny because I gave in later on in my skating when Danny and Colin asked me to ride for DC shoes, I couldn't say no then, total legends.
Did anyone else hit you up around that time?
There were a few other offers, rumours of Alien Workshop, World etc., but as soon as I said yes to Stereo, that was it for me.
There were a few other offers, rumours of Alien Workshop, World etc., but as soon as I said yes to Stereo, that was it for me.
Before we move on to America stuff, which British skaters did you respect in those days? It was slim pickings but Curtis and a few others were killing it for sure...
Fuck yeah Curtis was dope, man. I skated with him a lot back in the day, I used to skate the Arches park in London with him a lot and South Bank. Simon Evans as well, he had a sick unusual style. Mike Manzoori, Tony Luckhurst, Penny when he started to mature in his skating - just to see that guy come in to his own was sick, oh and not forgetting Mark Baines.
Fuck yeah Curtis was dope, man. I skated with him a lot back in the day, I used to skate the Arches park in London with him a lot and South Bank. Simon Evans as well, he had a sick unusual style. Mike Manzoori, Tony Luckhurst, Penny when he started to mature in his skating - just to see that guy come in to his own was sick, oh and not forgetting Mark Baines.
... and UK skaters these days? Do you still keep up with what's going on and who is good etc?
I don't really keep up these days to be honest, I'm always working or busy, but I'm sure there are plenty of UK skaters killing it.
I don't really keep up these days to be honest, I'm always working or busy, but I'm sure there are plenty of UK skaters killing it.
Ok, so now you have frontside half cab flipped your way into America and Dune and Jason Lee are backing you, did you get a board with Stereo straight away?
As soon as I got stateside it was all planned out, photos for an ad then pro board, stoked. All I was doing was skating everyday, fucking stoked.
As soon as I got stateside it was all planned out, photos for an ad then pro board, stoked. All I was doing was skating everyday, fucking stoked.
You seemed to be in San Fran for most of your footage, did you fuck with LA and SD at all? Any New York etc?
It was pretty much SF, but I was in San Diego skating with the Alien guys filming for other bits and other ads, and I skated New York with Huf and the Zoo York boys. I loved skating out there with them guys, it was just my kinda skating - cruising all day hitting spots on the way, I also hit LA with Kareem and his crew, so theres bits of footage from all over.
It was pretty much SF, but I was in San Diego skating with the Alien guys filming for other bits and other ads, and I skated New York with Huf and the Zoo York boys. I loved skating out there with them guys, it was just my kinda skating - cruising all day hitting spots on the way, I also hit LA with Kareem and his crew, so theres bits of footage from all over.
Huf, Carl and Gino
How was it getting down with the locals at the notoriously hostile EMB?
EMB dude, I just fitted in there. What a place that was, that place was so cliquey, but I just skated it. I didn't really give a fuck who was there (laughs) but the EMB dudes just welcomed me in. I had some memorable sessions there with some legends of that place; Carroll, Sanchez, Brenes... too many heads to mention, but good times. Sessions would carry on till the early hours. Fuck, what a spot.
EMB dude, I just fitted in there. What a place that was, that place was so cliquey, but I just skated it. I didn't really give a fuck who was there (laughs) but the EMB dudes just welcomed me in. I had some memorable sessions there with some legends of that place; Carroll, Sanchez, Brenes... too many heads to mention, but good times. Sessions would carry on till the early hours. Fuck, what a spot.
Who did you end up being tightest with?
I think one of the tightest was Kelly Bird for sure. We'd hang out a lot as he was part of the Deluxe crew. I actually met up with him and Rick Howard a few months ago for a pint in Nottingham. They were on a Lakai tour and got in touch, so we went for a pint. Was good to see him and Rick, had some good times with both them dudes. And I was tight with all the Stereo dudes, like a family feel.
I think one of the tightest was Kelly Bird for sure. We'd hang out a lot as he was part of the Deluxe crew. I actually met up with him and Rick Howard a few months ago for a pint in Nottingham. They were on a Lakai tour and got in touch, so we went for a pint. Was good to see him and Rick, had some good times with both them dudes. And I was tight with all the Stereo dudes, like a family feel.
... and who was a prick? You must have butted heads with some skaters in your time over there.
(laughs) I've butted heads, not so much with skaters, more with idiots at companies who forgot what skating was about.
(laughs) I've butted heads, not so much with skaters, more with idiots at companies who forgot what skating was about.
That shit you talk about in the Big Brother interview was hilarious, was there lots of that debauchery with you and your brother going on in those days?
That was along time ago, my life is so different now, I was young and a pisshead, so enough said (laughs).
That was along time ago, my life is so different now, I was young and a pisshead, so enough said (laughs).
You mentioned a fight with Mickey Reyes - who has knocked out a fair few skaters in his time, how did that go down?
Me and my bro were playing pool. I'd had a few drinks and Mickey was getting rowdy. We were fucking about and he just annoyed me, so I head butted him. People were starting to get pissed with us, so Mickey started to get outta there. When I got outside he got in his van and started to fucking leave - with all these dudes wanting to fight, so I put his van window through (laughs). All he said the next day when I saw him was I was getting too mad for him to hang around, and then it was forgot about.
Me and my bro were playing pool. I'd had a few drinks and Mickey was getting rowdy. We were fucking about and he just annoyed me, so I head butted him. People were starting to get pissed with us, so Mickey started to get outta there. When I got outside he got in his van and started to fucking leave - with all these dudes wanting to fight, so I put his van window through (laughs). All he said the next day when I saw him was I was getting too mad for him to hang around, and then it was forgot about.
What were your favourite spots around SF?
China Banks, EMB, all the avenues, the hills, Fort Mason... Fuck, I loved SF at that time.
China Banks, EMB, all the avenues, the hills, Fort Mason... Fuck, I loved SF at that time.
Which brings us nicely to the Thrasher cover. Was there ever any footage of that frontside bluntslide? Looks like you came out forwards.
Yeah I came out forwards. There was footage, I made it sketchy when I filmed it, made it cleaner when I didn't film it, fucking typical. I did that literally after a day off the plane from England, that ledge was gnarly at the time.
Yeah I came out forwards. There was footage, I made it sketchy when I filmed it, made it cleaner when I didn't film it, fucking typical. I did that literally after a day off the plane from England, that ledge was gnarly at the time.
Of course you were on DC for ages, but also Simple and Etnies as well. Did you have any questionable sponsors that you regret at all?
I wouldn't say questionable sponsors. For me it wasn't the sponsors so much, it what they represented. I always did what I liked. I was pretty strong minded. Skating for me was meant to be enjoyed, as soon as it became a job I started to fall away from it.
I wouldn't say questionable sponsors. For me it wasn't the sponsors so much, it what they represented. I always did what I liked. I was pretty strong minded. Skating for me was meant to be enjoyed, as soon as it became a job I started to fall away from it.
The DC Super tours looked fun as fuck, especially the first one. Were hey as cool as they seemed?
The coolest thing was skating and meeting the dudes on tour. It was always made easy on them tours, the skating was sick but the friendships were sicker. I met some of the coolest guys. I think me and Rudy Johnson just played football one tour (laughs), but they were as cool and fun as they looked. Good times!
The coolest thing was skating and meeting the dudes on tour. It was always made easy on them tours, the skating was sick but the friendships were sicker. I met some of the coolest guys. I think me and Rudy Johnson just played football one tour (laughs), but they were as cool and fun as they looked. Good times!
You mentioned that you bought a house from skating in you Lost and Found, did you get some big paychecks on DC?
I've been lucky in my skating, it provided me with a roof and a good start in life, all of which I'm thankful for.
I've been lucky in my skating, it provided me with a roof and a good start in life, all of which I'm thankful for.
And Stereo, they treated you well?
Stereo treated me good. It was the bosses at Deluxe who fucked me over. When I got deported they left me out to dry, and then when I finally got back stateside after nearly 2 years, my heart had gone out of it.
Stereo treated me good. It was the bosses at Deluxe who fucked me over. When I got deported they left me out to dry, and then when I finally got back stateside after nearly 2 years, my heart had gone out of it.
It must have been sick skating for such prestigious dudes. were you hyped on their videos and their whole chilled out jazzy style?
Everything about the dudes at Stereo is the reason I chose to ride for them and wanna be a part of it. Like I said, it was a chilled family.
Everything about the dudes at Stereo is the reason I chose to ride for them and wanna be a part of it. Like I said, it was a chilled family.
Did you ever get an offer from any of the Rocco teams, I could always see you skating for world or 101 back then...
World was interested around that time, yeah. Fuck I loved 101, sick team, but my heart belonged to Stereo. I really couldn't see myself on any other team at that time.
World was interested around that time, yeah. Fuck I loved 101, sick team, but my heart belonged to Stereo. I really couldn't see myself on any other team at that time.
It's so cool that you are still on the team. Do they still send you a box when you need it?
Yeah it's still cool to be associated with those guys. I never ask for shit, (laughs) but Dune if you read this, I need a box, I wanna go skate.
Yeah it's still cool to be associated with those guys. I never ask for shit, (laughs) but Dune if you read this, I need a box, I wanna go skate.
On that note, how much are you skating these days?
Very limited (laughs) too busy working, but I always make sure every time I do I can bust tre flips... and go fast.
Very limited (laughs) too busy working, but I always make sure every time I do I can bust tre flips... and go fast.
Any chance of a comeback?
Not fucking likely (laughs), who knows. If i did come back skating, it would just be for myself, not to try and do too much, just cruise - nice tailslides, just styling, good feeling skating, you know?
Not fucking likely (laughs), who knows. If i did come back skating, it would just be for myself, not to try and do too much, just cruise - nice tailslides, just styling, good feeling skating, you know?
That's what it's all about, mate. So what exactly happened with the American Visa situation?
I got my visa sorted after nearly two years, it fucking sucked at the time. It wasn't the Stereo guys, but the Deluxe guys that killed my skating, the bosses didn't wanna splash out for my visa, I couldn't understand it, I was selling a shed load of boards, making them money and thats the thanks I got. But at the same time I met my wife to be and made a life back in England, my heart wasn't in America after that, so I just concentrated on my life back home.
I got my visa sorted after nearly two years, it fucking sucked at the time. It wasn't the Stereo guys, but the Deluxe guys that killed my skating, the bosses didn't wanna splash out for my visa, I couldn't understand it, I was selling a shed load of boards, making them money and thats the thanks I got. But at the same time I met my wife to be and made a life back in England, my heart wasn't in America after that, so I just concentrated on my life back home.
And it's all sorted now?
Yeah. I was so over it I didn't wanna ride for them really if I'm being honest, I was so over everything by then, I had just seen a side of skateboarding that I didn't like, it just wasn't for me anymore. I still enjoyed skating, I just didn't wanna ride for anyone anymore.
Yeah. I was so over it I didn't wanna ride for them really if I'm being honest, I was so over everything by then, I had just seen a side of skateboarding that I didn't like, it just wasn't for me anymore. I still enjoyed skating, I just didn't wanna ride for anyone anymore.
So back in England, you were briefly on Blueprint and had a few tricks in Waiting For The World but that was it, were you just totally over it all by then?
I didn't wanna travel anymore, I didn't want to leave my family. My life was so much happier without the hassles of companies, I just got back to skating for me and it felt great. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for everything skateboarding did for me and didn't do for me, so yeah it was a decision I made to just get out - nobody wants to see a man in his forties trying to tre flip a double set (laughs), I can't even walk down steps these days without my knees hurting.
I didn't wanna travel anymore, I didn't want to leave my family. My life was so much happier without the hassles of companies, I just got back to skating for me and it felt great. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for everything skateboarding did for me and didn't do for me, so yeah it was a decision I made to just get out - nobody wants to see a man in his forties trying to tre flip a double set (laughs), I can't even walk down steps these days without my knees hurting.
Who are you favourite skaters these days? Do you still watch new videos and all that?
I think Curren Caples is sick, a super styler, Pudwill, some of the Stereo crew of course, Nick Tucker, Alex Perelson, fuck I could watch him skate vert all day. I think one of my all time favourites is Gino, I know he's not the new breed of skater but he's a dude who I skated with and some dudes are just timeless.
I think Curren Caples is sick, a super styler, Pudwill, some of the Stereo crew of course, Nick Tucker, Alex Perelson, fuck I could watch him skate vert all day. I think one of my all time favourites is Gino, I know he's not the new breed of skater but he's a dude who I skated with and some dudes are just timeless.
What is your take on Street League and all those big money comps?
I think Street League is cool. It's not my cup of tea though, when skateboarding got too commercial I got out. It's cool if your competitive and wanna win money and just skateboard to land the hardest tricks, but where's the fun in that? There's a reason surfers skated, and that's to fucking cruise. Street League would be cool if they switched the courses up so it didn't just benefit certain guys. Thats why I don't really watch it, it gets a bit boring watching the same guys win. What skateboarders train for competitions really? What ever happened to showing up at a comp and just hitting shit up? Now these kids have there own training facilities. Fuck me, what next?!
I think Street League is cool. It's not my cup of tea though, when skateboarding got too commercial I got out. It's cool if your competitive and wanna win money and just skateboard to land the hardest tricks, but where's the fun in that? There's a reason surfers skated, and that's to fucking cruise. Street League would be cool if they switched the courses up so it didn't just benefit certain guys. Thats why I don't really watch it, it gets a bit boring watching the same guys win. What skateboarders train for competitions really? What ever happened to showing up at a comp and just hitting shit up? Now these kids have there own training facilities. Fuck me, what next?!
What about the hideous sponsors that everyone has, do you think you'd have worn a disgusting green Monster hat if they'd paid you fuck loads?
Fuck no, (laughs) it's like a big commercial cock and they all wear one and look like one. But then again the first DC shoes were shocking and I wore them fuckers, (laughs) thank god they got better.
Fuck no, (laughs) it's like a big commercial cock and they all wear one and look like one. But then again the first DC shoes were shocking and I wore them fuckers, (laughs) thank god they got better.
So what's the future for you, man? Chilled out family man now, or is there still a fire burning in you to get some more footage and show those bloody yanks how Worksop does it? Again!
I will always have that desire to skate and now you've mentioned it, I might surprise you... All I know is that my life is perfect. I have a lovely family and a beautiful wife who no matter what has always been at my side. I'm so chilled now, no dramas, no drinking and getting in bother anymore...
I will always have that desire to skate and now you've mentioned it, I might surprise you... All I know is that my life is perfect. I have a lovely family and a beautiful wife who no matter what has always been at my side. I'm so chilled now, no dramas, no drinking and getting in bother anymore...
Any last words?
I'd just like to say thank you and fuck you to all the people who made my experiences I've had in life become a reality, I've met some some idiots and some great people along the way who have all given me some great memories on and off a skateboard, so cheers.
Cheers to you, bruv. Thanks so much, Carl. Fucking legend.
P.s Pump double max and catch it 90!
I'd just like to say thank you and fuck you to all the people who made my experiences I've had in life become a reality, I've met some some idiots and some great people along the way who have all given me some great memories on and off a skateboard, so cheers.
Cheers to you, bruv. Thanks so much, Carl. Fucking legend.
P.s Pump double max and catch it 90!
Follow Muckmouth on Instagram
Daily updates on Facebook
Photos and scans from Chromeball thank you.
Interview by @cousinharold aka Alex Dyer
COPYRIGHT MUCKMOUTH 2015
Daily updates on Facebook
Photos and scans from Chromeball thank you.
Interview by @cousinharold aka Alex Dyer
COPYRIGHT MUCKMOUTH 2015