For some skateboarding is just a hobby, but for Taylor Wilson it has become a lifestyle. He has been officially signed with Skate Hard, a skate shop off of Spring Garden Street in Greensboro.
For some skateboarding is just a hobby, but for Taylor Wilson it has become a lifestyle. He has been officially signed with Skate Hard, a skate shop off of Spring Garden Street in Greensboro.
Wilson is a freshman visual arts design major from Raleigh and has been skating for about four years. He picked up skating out of after school boredom during the off-football season.
Wilson initially went to Skate Hard to by a skateboard for a friend, but figured he would take the chance and ask the owners if they were currently sponsoring skaters. “I posted a video of myself in action, they simply liked it and decided to put me on the team,” said Wilson.
Skate Hard signed Wilson about a month ago, after viewing his video on Facebook. As a signed skater, Wilson will be shooting videos to promote himself and the company. The company sells skate boards, skate shoes, skate clothes and other skating paraphernalia.
“The best part about being a signed skater is going to the shop or being around campus and people already know who I am. It’s kind of like being a local celebrity,” said Wilson.
Newly signed, Wilson does not teach lessons but gets asked frequently by others if he could teach them how to skate. In addition, eager beginners also ask Wilson how to do tricks along with how he faces these challenges.
“I could teach others about skating all day but they have to put in the work. Skating is really an individual sport,” Wilson said. “People usually stop skating because they don’t take the time to practice, and researching new tricks is a great way to stay dedicated. You control your future in skateboarding.”
Taylor continues to give words of advice for new skateboarders and to boarders who want to be signed as he was by saying that people who are serious about skateboarding cannot be hesitant to take their skills to the next level. “Becoming satisfied with your skateboarding skills only means that you will not continue to grow,” said Wilson. “Make sure you have a camera man in order to record your skills. Use the evidence and send that to companies of your interest.”
Other than traveling to various places such as YDG Skate Park in Graham, N C. with Skate Hard to shoot videos, Wilson is currently working on his own clothing line called Black Society. He plans to promote himself through videos and commercials.
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- Latisha Freeman, Contributor