The skateboarding world has its unsung heroes, and Rob Brink is definitely one of them. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to travel the world writing about skateboarding, work for top brands, and be a behind-the-scenes industry guy, then you’ve come to the right place. Rob is a staff writer for the Skateboard Mag, a media personality for Emerica and Altamont, and a skateboarder himself. In this interview, he gets candid about the state of skate media, his journey, and even a certain infamous tattoo.
From Academia to Skateboarding: A Unique Career Path
You have a master’s degree; do you feel like a chump because you ended up writing about skateboarding?
Not at all! If anything, I think I landed exactly where I was meant to be. Had I not discovered skateboarding and made a career out of it, I wouldn’t be living at the beach in Laguna, getting paid to write about skateboarding, working for Emerica and Altamont, and possibly even having a show on Ride Channel. I’m not some high-brow academic who was destined to write epic novels; I’m creating content for the thing I love the most – skateboarding.
The Reality of Making a Living in Skate Media
Can someone survive on just skateboard writing?
That’s a tough one. If I was relying solely on writing, I wouldn’t be making much of a living. Only a couple of magazines can afford to pay writers a decent wage. Even then, if you have a few features a month, you might only make a couple of thousand dollars, and a large chunk goes to taxes. Many writers in skateboarding have other gigs to supplement their income. For example, I am the full-time Digital Communications Manager for Emerica and Altamont. Writing often becomes a passion project or something supplemental. While there is always room for new writers and ideas, there isn’t enough money in the pool to make a living purely from skateboard writing.
I heard you have a tramp stamp.
Yes, I do. It’s artwork from a Tool CD. I’m mocked for both liking Tool and having a Tool-themed tramp stamp. I got the tattoo back in 1996 or ’97, before tramp stamps became a thing. Back then, not everyone had lower back tattoos. I thought it was a cool, hidden location, but a couple of years later, it became the dawn of the tramp stamp. I can’t help but own it now.
The Financial Side of Skate Writing
How much money does a writer make per skate feature? Does it pay by word count?
It varies greatly. I’ve done a ton of work for free to get my foot in the door or because I believed in the project, and I’ve also been paid over a dollar per word for ESPN magazine. I’ve done pieces for a flat rate of a thousand dollars that took 20 minutes, and others that took weeks for just $100. Traditionally, you’re happy to get around 40 to 70 cents per word for a feature or interview, while smaller stuff like video reviews or event coverage usually pays less, around 20 or 25 cents per word.
When you travel on tour as a Team Manager, do you get to charge everything to the company? What happens if a rider wants to go out for a baller dinner or get a stripper, can you charge that?
Yes, within reason. I never want to abuse the privilege and lose it. I’m past the strip club phase, but I’ve definitely encouraged Malto to go out for sushi dinners, because like me, that dude never says no to sushi. Free sushi and Starbucks are definitely perks.
Insights from the Skateboarding World
Who is one of the smartest or “most well-read” skateboarders you have interviewed?
There are different kinds of “smart.” Rattray is probably the smartest and most well-read skater I know. Every time I’m around him, I’m amazed by how intelligent he is. However, many skaters have a lot of “life experience” which can be just as valuable as book smarts. For example, Nyjah is so insightful after years of travel, contracts, interviews, and fame, even though he’s still young. Sheckler is similar.
Any internet hate on your new show, The Weekend Buzz?
Yeah, there’s been some criticism. The Hellaclips commenters are ruthless! But I didn’t want to be the face of a talk show just to be famous. I saw it as an opportunity to bring what I love to do as a journalist and interviewer into a new medium. It’s just a skate rat like me interviewing skaters every week and I am stoked about it.
Has someone told you, you look like a fat Andrew Reynolds?
I heard through the grapevine that someone said I look like a “fat Andrew Reynolds.” When I asked people on the set of Weekend Buzz, they didn’t see the resemblance.
What’s with these Twitter rants I see you go on sometimes?
I’ve noticed these patterns on social media, and it’s funny how people play into them. Instagram is a perfect example. You can usually predict the popular page will feature painted nails, Starbucks cups, nature scenes, cute dogs, food pics, Justin Bieber, an Asian girl, and someone with a lot of tattoos.
Does it feel weird when you’re skating with pros on trips and just warming up on some basic tricks?
Absolutely. It’s especially weird when you’re trying to warm up at the Sole Tech TF and kids come in right away tre flipping the eight stair and back lipping the rail, while I’m just an old guy trying to do a fakie flip. But once you meet people and hang out, it becomes more about being friends and less about comparing skill.
Critiquing the Skate Culture
What don’t you like about the You Will Soon website?
I don’t want to start a rant about Dan Watson. I like the dude, but I think he can do better than just criticizing people who don’t fit some arbitrary standard of “cool.” It’s the same with other skate media – people endlessly make fun of Jereme and Dyrdek and anyone who doesn’t obey the unspoken rules of skateboarding “coolness.” It’s like, how many times can we listen to people making fun of someone?
Got it.
It’s funny how skateboarding progresses so quickly from a “trick” perspective, but is stagnant from a mental and intellectual one. We refuse to accept seeing the same trick done twice at the same spot, but endlessly debate someone’s hair and pants, ask the same interview questions over and over and can’t evolve our mindset to accept that skateboarding is mainstream as hell.
It’s pointless to argue about whether something is mainstream anymore. We’ve all supported or sold out to the mainstream in one way or another. I wish skate media and skater mentality would evolve to match the progression of the actual skateboarding.
Will we ever have a gay pro skater role model?
I hope so! This heterosexuality is getting pretty boring.
Why don’t we already have one? There are obviously gay pro skaters out there…
I don’t know why we don’t have one, and I respect the decisions of those who aren’t ready to come out. The fact that a “closet” exists at all is strange since there isn’t one for straight people. Some progress is being made though. Just listen to the way people talk about Dylan Rieder – even the straightest guys are into him. It’s amazing and Dylan is one of my favorite skaters. TEAM HANDSOME!
Conclusion
Rob Brink’s journey in skateboarding is a testament to the fact that passion and hard work can lead to a fulfilling career, even if it’s not what you initially expected. His insights into the skate media, the financial realities of writing, and the quirks of the skateboarding community provide a unique perspective. He’s a reminder that it’s important to evolve both on and off the board.
