Didrik Galasso, a name synonymous with natural talent in the skateboarding world, seems to have it all: a lucrative shoe sponsorship, his own place in Norway, and a constant stream of globally-filmed clips. To onlookers, he embodies the skater’s dream. However, the reality is often more complex than what meets the eye. In this interview, Didrik opens up about his departure from enjoi, his struggles with mental health, and his journey to self-discovery.
It’s becoming increasingly common for skaters to share their personal challenges publicly. This isn’t about seeking pity, but rather about encouraging empathy, open communication, and support within the community. As Didrik’s story shows, support might be closer than you think.
Didrik Galasso, a naturally gifted skateboarder, candidly shares his personal journey.
Beyond the Board: Exploring Creativity and Identity
When he’s not on his skateboard, Didrik channels his energy into drawing and tattooing. He describes himself as being at the beginning of this artistic journey, experimenting with different styles to find his own. Currently, he’s drawn to dark art, particularly inspired by Greek mythology after watching the anime series Blood of Zeus. Interestingly, his dog is also named Zeus.
He’s exploring an “ignorant” style of tattooing, which is about embracing imperfections and the unexpected. This mirrors his approach to life – accepting the outcome, whatever it may be.
Leaving Enjoi: A Matter of Self-Expression and Growth
Didrik recently announced his departure from enjoi. While he emphasizes there was no bad blood between him, Louie Barletta, or the brand, he admits he had been considering leaving for two years. He felt the need to move on and have more control over his own branding and graphics.
The character-based graphics and the iconic panda logo no longer resonated with him, and he sought a change. He also noted the shifts within enjoi and Dwindle, the parent company, as contributing factors. Didrik felt his voice wasn’t as influential as he wished it could be. Despite being given creative freedom by Louie, the inability to change the logo was a major factor in his decision.
Didrik Galasso candidly discusses his departure from enjoi and his desire for self-expression.
The Delay and the Difficult Conversation
The actual announcement was difficult, Didrik admits. He had wanted to quit two years prior, but his personal struggles held him back. The conversation with Louie was intense, almost like a breakup, where they shared similar concerns and frustrations about the direction of the company. They both felt that the company was not prioritizing skaters and their needs, with speculations that the company was primarily focused on tax matters, with potential issues related to unpaid factory bills.
Moving Forward: No New Board Sponsor Yet
Despite leaving enjoi, Didrik has no new board sponsor. He’s currently riding Deluxe wood, courtesy of Spitfire. He also experimented with twin-tail boards, inspired by Ishod Wair, and boards from Hockey and Fucking Awesome. He’s gravitating towards bigger, more square noses and tails, which better suits his riding style.
A combination of text and animation highlights Didrik’s transition and exploration of new board styles.
Battling Isolation and Mental Health
Being based in Europe while riding for an American brand led to a sense of isolation for Didrik. He missed the camaraderie of the enjoi team, particularly Wieger Van Wageningen and Ben Raemers. Ben’s passing deeply affected him and was a significant turning point in his life, making him confront his own mental health challenges, similar to Ben.
During a period of immense personal turmoil, including relationship and family issues, Didrik experienced a breakdown that led to a stay in a mental institution. He’s grateful for the experience, seeing it as a learning opportunity and a step towards becoming a stronger person. He also acknowledges the stigma associated with smoking in Norway, a source of discomfort that he has worked to overcome through open communication with his parents.
Finding Grounding Techniques and Self-Acceptance
Didrik admits he is very hard on himself. He’s working on embracing his feelings and no longer being afraid to speak his mind. He is now feeling more comfortable expressing his thoughts and making jokes, a sign of his positive progress in his mental health journey.
The Mental Institution Experience
Didrik views his time at the mental institution as a valuable learning experience, giving him space to reflect on his life. He was discharged not by choice, but because he missed a few sessions to visit his mother. This forced him to take more responsibility for his own wellbeing, a challenge he embraced.
Didrik Galasso reflects on his mental health journey and how it shaped him.
Oslo and Future Plans
Didrik moved to Oslo at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of the lower real estate prices at that time. He is now in the process of renovating his apartment with plans to sell it and move to Lisbon. The warmer weather and beach lifestyle there are more in tune with his current vibe. Despite not seeing himself as naturally handy, his father’s visit helped him to get motivated to tackle the home repair tasks.
Visual elements further illustrate Didrik’s life in Oslo and his plans to move to Lisbon.
Reflections on California and Future Aspirations
Didrik spent time in Long Beach, California, in his younger years, but felt trapped there. He now appreciates the ease of travel within Europe and the complexities of visas have made him question why he would want to leave his current life. While he doesn’t plan to move back to the US permanently, he is open to spending a year in New York or San Francisco.
Beyond skateboarding, Didrik dreams of opening a restaurant, drawing from his family’s love for cooking. He envisions a buffet-style place with a rotating menu. He admires Tyshawn Jones’s restaurant and expresses a desire to visit it. He is a vegetarian and likes to cook Indian and spicy food, particularly tomato-based sauces and paneer dishes. He also appreciates the simple, inexpensive recipes.
Didrik Galasso shares his dream of opening a restaurant and his passion for cooking.
Perspective on the Skate Industry
Didrik’s perspective on the skate industry has shifted as he has been forced to consider his role within it. He acknowledges the various stakeholders, including skaters, corporations, and others, all with their own agendas. He wants to be more than just a space-taker, but rather a contributor. He is grateful for the opportunities he’s had with Nike and enjoi.
He also acknowledges the transient nature of sponsorships and that he might lose them in the future. However, he emphasizes his passion for skating will not diminish, regardless of external factors.
A thoughtful portrait of Didrik Galasso, highlighting his evolving perspective on the skate industry.
Conclusion
Didrik Galasso’s journey is a reminder that success is rarely straightforward, and that personal struggles can shape us into stronger, more resilient individuals. He is a talented skateboarder who is also a complex person navigating issues of identity, mental health, and self-expression. His story is a valuable reminder for the skateboarding community to stay connected, prioritize open communication, and support one another through the challenges of life.
A final image of Didrik, emphasizing the importance of mental health and community support.
