You often hear stories about sponsored skaters needing side hustles to make ends meet, but it’s rare to find those side jobs within the skateboarding world itself. Aidan Campbell is one of the few who’s currently navigating that path, balancing a full-time pro skating career with his role as Team Manager for Etnies. What’s even more surprising is that he landed the coveted ender part in Foundation’s latest video, Whippersnappers. How does one juggle managing a team of skaters while still pushing their own limits on the board? We sat down with Aidan to find out.
Aidan Campbell performing a trick on his skateboard
So, are you the first team manager to have the ender part in a full-length skate video?
That’s a good question. I honestly don’t know. There are definitely some ripping team managers out there. Chris Pfanner, for example, I’m pretty sure he does some TM stuff. Taylor McClung is also incredibly good and he’s a TM for Primitive. But I don’t know of any other team manager with an ender part.
How did you transition from being solely a pro skater to juggling both pro skating and team management?
Before COVID, I was solely living off skating. When COVID hit, RVCA, my clothing sponsor, had to make cutbacks, and I was let go. It was a big financial hit, and I realized I couldn’t make ends meet comfortably anymore. I could have survived paycheck to paycheck, but I didn’t want that for myself. It forced me to accept that my full-time skateboarding career was coming to an end, sooner than I had expected.
I got a job in construction, always being interested in fixing things. It was similar to skating, requiring a lot of time to learn and progress. I also worked in assisted living before Etnies offered me the Team Manager position. Being a TM has actually provided me with more opportunities to be out on the streets with the team, which helps me be more productive in filming my own video part.
How much of being a TM is like babysitting?
On trips, I’d say it’s about 75% babysitting [laughs].
Aidan Campbell performing a frontside 50-50 grind on a rail
Do you think skate brands should have a program to help prepare riders for life after being sponsored?
I’ve definitely thought about it. There should be a disclaimer when you join a team, outlining the necessary steps for when your sponsored career comes to an end. Some skaters have a long career, but that isn’t always the case.
A program should help the transition from being a skateboarder into the “real world.” It’s a big change to go from skating all day to having a boss and a strict schedule. It can be a strange and difficult wake-up call.
What if a non-profit or shoe company offered a counselor for pro skaters wanting help with this transition?
I’d absolutely support that. It’s not really talked about enough. At the end of your sponsored career, it’s like, “What the hell do I do now?”
Do you have any good stories about Ryan Sheckler from your time with Etnies?
We’ve been on a few trips together, but nothing too crazy. I respect the guy. On a trip to Texas, we were all exhausted at 3 AM, but he was still happy to sign autographs and take photos with fans. It was respectable to see that, because he was still down to earth.
Did you ever witness any “rockstar” moments?
Not really. I remember a trip to Japan when he was still drinking, and we were in the VIP section of a club with crazy bottle service, but that’s about it.
Etnies has had its ups and downs. Does that concern you?
That’s common with legacy brands. They go through cycles. It’s impressive that Etnies has survived while other brands died off due to corporate takeovers. Keeping that legacy alive is an honor. As long as we keep putting out cool content, it’ll be fine.
You were on King of the Road in 2018. Was it fun or too chaotic?
I had a blast. I was nervous going into it, but it was special. I don’t know if I could do it now, but at that time, it was a great experience. My friends and I used to create our own King of the Road challenges as kids, so being on the real show was wild.
What kind of challenges did you make up?
I remember one challenge was jumping into a fountain at city hall with our underwear. I also got a really bad haircut. We had our own challenge books and would split into teams and do goofy kid stuff.
A GIF of Aidan Campbell performing a skateboard trick
Did you get recognized after the show?
Yeah, I did. It still happens. I’ll be at a random place, and someone will recognize me. It’s usually non-skaters because the show was a mix of Jackass and skating.
Did you ever get any dates because of it?
No [laughs]. It’s tough out there. I’ve been with my girlfriend for a year now, and we’re moving in together.
Are you still loyal to Foundation?
Absolutely. I often reflect on how my 12-year-old self would feel, and he’d be stoked. Being part of it is a dream come true.
What are your top three Foundation videos that you’re not in?
First, it’s That’s Life. Second, Cataclysmic Abyss, and third, Art Bars. That’s Life and Cataclysmic Abyss were my childhood, I was obsessed with them.
A GIF of Aidan Campbell performing a skateboard trick
Corey Duffel had a huge influence on kids back then.
Totally. My friends and I would buy girls’ jeans. We were rocking girl pants before skinny jeans were a thing, getting bullied at school, and wearing striped jackets. The classic Duffel Freddy Krueger look.
Do you think skate brands have a lifespan?
That’s a great question. I talked to Don [Luong, Foundation filmer] about it. I don’t think brands necessarily have a lifespan, but the funding can be the issue. Foundation and Etnies have managed to stand the test of time.
What advice would you give to a new sponsored skater based on what you’ve learned from other team managers?
Answer your phone! Communication is key. And never think you’ve “made it.” Never stop pushing yourself and never lose that hunger.
You were there when we jumped the fence at Roosevelt Island. What happened after that?
We got tickets and had to fly back from California to New York for a court date. We landed at 9 AM, got an Airbnb, went to the courthouse, and they said, “Yeah, there’s no fine.” So we went to the zoo until our flight.
Aidan Campbell performing a 50-50 boardslide trick
Have you ever gotten any other skate tickets?
That was my first one ever. It was kind of surreal. It made me realize, it’s kinda crazy I’ve gone this long without one.
You’re not smoking or drinking now, right?
I’ve been off the booze for eight months. No smoking or drinking. It’s a big part of skating, but you don’t realize it until you stop.
Have you noticed any differences in your skating or mental clarity since stopping?
Yeah, I’m more motivated. My mind is clearer. My emotions and life are more stable. I have a more consistent baseline.
I’m glad more people are getting healthy in skating. But I also hope skating keeps attracting the “fringe” characters, too.
That will never die with skateboarding because everyone’s already too crazy. Skating attracts those people. Booze just amplifies it.
Do you think skating has more heavy drinkers than other subcultures?
I think so. It’s integrated into the lifestyle. I’m not sure why.
Do you think it’s because of the party montages in the skate videos we grew up on?
It could be. I used to watch Baker 3 a lot, and maybe it subconsciously planted that idea.
Aidan Campbell performing an ollie
Do you think we’ll have videos of skaters chugging kombucha and being positive role models?
[Laughs] I actually hope so. With younger kids, I don’t see as much drinking. They’re more tame than when I was their age, so I think times are changing.Were you ever bitter that the skate industry couldn’t support you to skate full time anymore?
No. I told myself I was lucky to even live off skateboarding. I never wanted to be salty like some people when their sponsored career ends.
It was tough though. I had a bit of an identity crisis. I’d only known skateboarding, and I had to start over at 27. But I can’t be bitter. I was lucky enough to get paid to ride a skateboard for ten years.
Interview by: Larry Lanza & Ian Michna
Photos by: Tim Aguilar
