Leo Romero

Last updated

Leo Romero
Born
Leo Romero

(1986-11-28) November 28, 1986 (age 37)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationProfessional skateboarder

Leo Romero (born November 28, 1986 [1] ) is a professional skateboarder whose early skateboarding influences included Heath Kirchart, Jamie Thomas [2] and Andrew Reynolds. [3]

Contents

Early life

Romero was born in Fontana, California, United States [4] [5] and is the son of Mexican immigrant parents. Romero first started skating around 1997 with his friendship crew "The Death Junkies". [3] Romero revealed in a 2009 interview that he "was ditching school and skating with friends" during his adolescence, while in a 2010 interview he explained that when he was growing up he knew what he wanted and did not let other people bother him. [2] [4]

Professional skateboarding

Romero has credited his sponsor the Pharmacy skateboard shop ("The craziest family I've ever had ...") with facilitating his departure from his hometown for the purpose of commencing a skateboarding career. Conversely, Romero's father has believed that "he [Romero's father]’s the reason why I made it so far"—that "he’s the one who gave me all the inspiration behind my career" but Romero believes that his father is mistaken. [2] [4] Romero has ridden the same skateboard deck shape for nearly a decade and the original board shape was provided by the Pharmacy shop. [6]

Romero appeared in the Foundation videos Madness & Mayhem (2002) and That's Life (2004). [7]

As an Emerica team rider, Romero lived at the "Emerica Mansion II" with professional skateboarders Heath Kirchart, Kevin "Spanky" Long, and Bryan Herman. [8] In May 2013, the Romero signature shoe model "The Troubadour" was released, and Romero explained that the shoe design was based on footwear that could be for both skateboarding and fashion. [9]

Romero became a professional team rider for Baker Skateboards, a company that was founded and is owned by one of his childhood skateboarding influences Reynolds—in a 2010 interview Romero explained that his motivation for joining the team was based on his perception that Baker was "cool". [2] Romero appeared in the Baker video production Baker Has A Deathwish (2008) that is a collaboration with "sister" brand Deathwish (as of May 2013, both companies are distributed by Bakerboys Distribution [10] ). [7]

In 2009 Romero left Baker to join the Toy Machine company [4] and explained in a 2010 Thrasher magazine interview that "I just don’t think I fit in with that crowd. It’s not really my bag." Romero revealed to Mike Sinclair, a senior employee of Tum Yeto (distribution company for both Foundation and Toy Machine), that Toy Machine is "100% skateboarding". [2] [6] Toy Machine and Emerica have collaborated on a Romero signature shoe line with Toy Machine founder/owner Ed Templeton, who is also sponsored by Emerica. [11]

Together with his friend Griffin Collins, Romero launched the skateboard griptape company Bro Style in 2012. [12] While primarily a griptape company, the brand also produces soft goods such as caps, socks, and shirts. [13] Bro Style has released video advertisements on the Internet that feature sponsored riders such as Matt Bennett, Dakota Servold, and Daniel Lutheran. [14]

Sponsors

Music

With his band Travesura, Romero released his first recording on the Scion AV label (a brand of the Toyota Motor Corporation) on March 1, 2014 at an event in Los Angeles, U.S. The recording is a self-titled EP and a music video for the song "Tenor" was also released. [20] [21]

Awards

Romero won Thrasher Magazine's annual "Skater of the Year" award in 2010. [22] As part of the award ceremony, Romero performed karaoke for the audience. [23]

Personal life

Romero resides in California, U.S. in a "mock Spanish castle" property and owns a Harley Davidson motorcycle that he has ridden as part of the Emerica skateboarding tour "Wild Ride". [6] [24] [25] Romero explained his life outside of skateboarding in a 2009 interview: "I’m a pretty simple guy. Not too much shit bothers me but I hate going to overcrowded bars and they’re overcharging you for beer. I hate that. The same things as everybody else I think: Playing guitar, listening to music, barbecuing on a summer day, finishing up some cold ones, fucking girls." [22] Leo attended the University of Massachusetts graduating in 2012 with a degree in Geology.[ citation needed ]

Videography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Templeton</span> American skateboarder and artist

Ed Templeton is an American professional skateboarder, contemporary artist, and photographer. He is the founder of the skateboard company, Toy Machine, a company that he continues to own and manage. He is based in Huntington Beach, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flip Skateboards</span> US-based international skateboard company

Flip Skateboards is a United States–based international skateboard company, co-owned by Jeremy Fox and Ian Deacon. The company produces skateboard hard goods, soft goods, DVDs, and accessories. The brand was distributed globally by US company NHS Inc. but has since parted with the distribution. Starting in July 2017, the brand is distributed in Europe by HLC and has now taken over global distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geoff Rowley</span> British skateboarder

Geoffrey Joseph Rowley Jr. is an English professional skateboarder, former co-owner of Flip Skateboards and owner of the Civilware Service Corporation. He received Thrasher Magazine's "Skater of the Year" award in 2000.

Etnies is a French-American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, United States, and is owned by Sole Technology, Inc. The company sponsors professional skateboarders and BMX riders, LAB more and releases signature shoe models.

Andrew Reynolds is an American professional skateboarder known for co-founding Baker Skateboards in 2000 with artist Jay Strickland. He is now Baker Skateboard's sole owner. Reynolds established Bakerboys Distribution with Erik Ellington and Jim Greco in 2007. Bakerboys Distribution provides distribution for closely related in-house skateboard companies such as Deathwish Skateboards and Shake Junt. He is also the head of design at Altamont Apparel. Reynolds primarily skates street. He has been called one of the most influential skaters of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Muska</span> American skateboarder

Chad Muska is an American professional skateboarder, musician and entrepreneur. In November 2012, Skin Phillips, editor-in-chief of Transworld Skateboarding, described Muska as "one of the most marketable pros skateboarding has ever seen."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Gonzales</span> American skateboarder (born 1968)

Mark Gonzales, also known as "Gonz", "the Gonz" and "the Godfather", is an American professional skateboarder and artist. A pioneer in the development of modern street skating, he is considered one of the first street-style skateboarders alongside Natas Kaupas. Gonzales and Kaupas are also credited with the first known boardslides on a handrail. Gonzales' pioneering influence on skateboarding has caused him to be known as the "God Father" of modern street skateboarding, and he was named the "Most Influential Skateboarder of All Time" by Transworld Skateboarding magazine in December 2011. Gonzales was placed ahead of Tony Hawk (2nd) and Rodney Mullen (3rd)

Jamie Thomas is an American professional skateboarder and skateboard industry entrepreneur. Thomas is the owner and founder of Zero Skateboards and Fallen Footwear, until he announced its closure in January 2017. Thomas' nickname in the skateboard industry is "The Chief".

Crailtap is a skateboarding distribution company based in Torrance, California, United States. The distribution company is home to Girl Skateboards, Chocolate Skateboards, Royal Skateboard Trucks, and Fourstar Clothing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elissa Steamer</span> American professional skateboarder (born 1975)

Elissa Steamer is an American professional skateboarder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zero Skateboards</span> American skateboard company

Zero Skateboards is a skateboard company located in Carlsbad, California, United States. The brand was founded by professional skateboarder and entrepreneur Jamie Thomas, and distributed by his Black Box Distribution company. In late June 2014, Thomas announced that the brand would be distributed by the Dwindle Distribution company, based in El Segundo, California. Subsequently, in 2016, Thomas and Dwindle announced that Zero Skateboards would be operated independently by Thomas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Hsu</span> American skateboarder, photographer, and company owner

Jerry Hsu is a Taiwanese-American skateboarder, photographer and owner/operator of the skate company "Sci-Fi Fantasy".

Baker Skateboards is an American skateboarding company founded in 2000 by professional skateboarder Andrew Reynolds. The company's main products are skateboard decks, soft goods, accessories, and wheels.

Kevin 'Spanky' Long is an American professional skateboarder. Long's skateboarding stance is goofy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dustin Dollin</span> Australian professional skateboarder

Dustin Dollin is an Australian professional skateboarder who is one of the original team riders for Baker Skateboards

Toy Machine is a skateboarding company, housed under the Tum Yeto distribution company, started by Ed Templeton in 1993.

Jim Greco is an American professional skateboarder.

Torey Jamieson Pudwill, also known by his nicknames "T-Puds and The Worm", is an American professional street skateboarder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Westgate</span> Professional Skateboarder (born 1989)

Brandon Westgate is a professional skateboarder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erik Ellington</span> American skateboarder

Erik Ellington is an American professional skateboarder.

References

  1. ↑ "Happy Birthday Leo Romero!". Emerica. November 28, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Michael Burnett (December 10, 2010). "Leo Romero Interview". Thrasher Skateboard Magazine. High Speed Productions, Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Emerica Stay Gold B-Side: Leo Romero". Shock Mansion. February 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Mike Sinclair (April 7, 2009). "Little Leo interview". Tum Yeto. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  5. ↑ "LEO ROMERO SKATER PROFILE". Skatepark of Tampa. SPoT. June 6, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 Mike Sinclair (June 21, 2010). "Uphill Battle: The Leo Romero Interview". ESPN Action Sports. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  7. 1 2 "Leo Romero skate videos". SkatevideoSite.com. 2005–2013. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  8. ↑ "The Truth About Leo Romero". Skateboarder. GrindMedia, LLC. December 9, 2005. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  9. ↑ Brickharbor (May 10, 2013). "Brick Harbor Presents: Leo Romero reviews the Emerica Troubadour" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  10. ↑ "About". Bakerboys Distribution. May 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  11. ↑ Furqan Khan (January 12, 2010). "Emerica & Toy Machine Collab For Leo Romero New Signature Shoe". Kicks On Fire. Complex Sneakers. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  12. 1 2 Mike Sinclair (October 26, 2012). "Don't Trip, It's Just Grip". X Games. ESPN. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Products". Bro Style. Tumblr. May 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  14. ↑ TWS (October 16, 2012). "BRO STYLE TEAM COMMERCIAL NO. 2" (Video upload). Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  15. 1 2 Network A (August 3, 2012). "ESWIC: Exclusive Interview with Leo Romero of Emerica & Laced by Leo" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  16. 1 2 "Team – Leo Romero". Toy Machine. May 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  17. ↑ Transworld (July 1, 2009). "LEO ROMERO AND FIGGY SIGN WITH INDEPENDENT". Transworld Business. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Team – Leo Romero". Pig Wheels. May 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  19. ↑ Neff Headwear (April 11, 2013). "In the Parks with Neff | Leo Romero & Dakota Servold" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  20. ↑ TWS (February 21, 2014). "LEO ROMERO'S TRAVESURA RECORD RELEASE". TransWorld SKATEboarding. Grind Media. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  21. ↑ "TRAVESURA "TENOR" MUSIC VIDEO". Scion AV. Toyota Motor Corporation. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  22. 1 2 Rob Brink (November 29, 2010). "An unseen interview with Skater of the Year, Leo Romero". Rob Brink. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  23. ↑ ThrasherMagazine (December 14, 2010). "Leo Romero - Thrasher Skater of the Year 2010" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  24. ↑ Josh Brooks (April 13, 2010). "LEO ROMERO HOME PAGE: LETTER OF DISCONTENT". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  25. ↑ Dustin Aron (May 2009). "Emerica Wild Ride (2008)" (Video upload). Dustin Aron on Vimeo. Vimeo LLC. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  26. ↑ johnny mcdonald (November 22, 2005). "Leo Romero and Tommy Gurrola" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Leo Romero skate videos". Skatevideosite.com. 2005–2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.