Exclusive Interview: Abby Zsarnay

What was it like skating against the boys in competition? At first it was very intimidating but after a few competitions I earned respect from them once they saw I could skate and was beating half of the boys. Where the boys receptive to you being a girl or did they push you away? They ignored me at first because they were not used to competing against a girl, but they eventually warmed up to me. How did competing against the boys affect your skill level? It made me really push myself to improve so I could keep up with them. What do you like to skate more ie street, vert or pools? Whole Park/Transition, Pools and Vert are my favorite things to skate. What kind of tricks do you have on lock down? Front Side Airs, Blunt Fakies, Inverts, Kick Flip Indies, Back D’s, Switch Blunts and 50% on Nollie Big Spin Back D’s What tricks are you working on? I work on all of the above and many more every time I go to the park. My goal each time I skate is to come away with one new trick that I have never done before. Back-side airs are the next thing I will be working on once I’m back on my board. Congratulations on earning your own skate deck! Tell us what it felt like to see your first skate deck? I was so surprised when they came in and could not believe I had my own pro model deck. I had seen the initial designs and drawings, but seeing them for real was AMAZING!!! What was running through your mind?

I was thinking this could not be real. When I opened all the boxes and spread out the decks it was one of the coolest feelings ever!!

You’ve traveled all over the US to compete in comps. Do you plan on ever attending a comp in Europe? If so which ones do you want to do? Yes for sure. I would love to be able to compete in some of the World Cup Bowl events there someday. Would you say there are a lot of girls that want to learn to skate? Since you’ve started do you see more girls skating across the US? I think a lot want to, but are too afraid. I have seen a huge increase in the past few years though. I remember the first five years I was skating I rarely saw another girl at the skate park. Now almost every time I go, there is another girl there. I read somewhere that you like to surf too. That’s awesome! What kind of board do you ride and where do you surf? I do like to surf but do not get out very much anymore. When I started competing in skateboarding, which was four years ago I kind of got away from surfing. Plus my Dad says the beach would be great if it wasn’t for all the salt, sand and wind. ;) Do you snowboard? I have a few times and really liked it but never seem to have the time to go much. What kind of music do you like? I like almost any kind of music except for Country. Rock is my favorite, like AC/DC and Nickelback. What’s your favorite food? I love Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Pasta and Ice Cream Do you do other cross training do stay fit? Yes, I go to the Gym and have a personal trainer and also do Yoga. How many pairs of shoes do you go through a year? How many boards do you break? My shoes usually last me about a month and I rarely break a board. I just wear down the tail and nose and then my Dad will build up a new one for me. What find of trucks and wheels do you use? What’s the difference between the sizes of the wheels and different truck choices? I ride Tensor Magnesium Trucks which are really light. And Bones SPF 56mm Wheels. The larger the wheel diameter the faster you will go. I also like to use Bones Swiss Bearings. What’s the best set up to go with your boards? Tensor Magnesium Trucks, Bones SPF 56mm Wheels, 1/8 to ¼ inch riser, Bones Swiss Bearings, Cheapsk8r.com grip. Does your signature deck come in different sizes? Yes. 7.75, 8.0 and 8.25 I mostly ride the 8.0 deck. You have a lot of experience teaching girls how to skate, what are some of the first steps to getting started? I think that safety is very important and if the girls do not wear pads then they will hold back and not progress as fast. One of the most important and first things to learn is how to knee slide. Then to balance on the board, roll, kick turn and pump. Do have any particular advice for a beginning skater? Always wear your pads and helmet. And if you never try “it” you will never be able to do “it”. Once you land a trick you are trying, do it 10 more times to really get used to it. Then always practice that trick the next time you skate plus at least one new one you want to learn. Thanks so much for your time Abby! Keep ripping! Check out her website: www.abbyskates.com And her dad's photography website: www.zstudios.com