INTERVIEW WITH DANIELLE BOSTICK OF WORLD CUP SKATEBOARDING (WCS)

Hi Danielle. It is so nice to meet you, and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us. I know our readers must have many questions, as do I, so let's get started.

WCS: GIRLS COMBI POOL CLASSIC 2013

How did you initially get involved in skateboarding and skateboarding competitions?

>>>>>>>>>>>> Guilty by affiliation. Don Bostick has been in skateboarding all his life. When I met him he was starting to organize some competitions. Later he was recruited by what was then, NSA, National Skateboard Association, they hired us as a team to begin this really long journey through event after event. National Skateboard Association was run by Frank and Nancy Hawk, Tony's parents. When Frank made the decision to not continue, Don received his job and we were then a team, like Frank and Nancy. This was more than 20 years ago. NSA went under and we resurfaced immediately as World Cup Skateboarding and now WCS is 20 years old next year, 2013. 

When you first started doing this, did you have any idea what you were getting into?

>>>>>>>>>>> Not really. It was an adventure, unlike for Don, it was a lifestyle. I became attached to all parts of it and the people, soon it was my lifestyle also.

How do stay sane threw all the bumps ans mishaps that come along with organizing such large events?

>>>>>>>>>>> The hardest part is having to follow goals and instructions from promoters that don't know what they're doing. Experience doesn't come through money, it comes through time - and some of the new people that have entered really need to have more respect. We've seen grand totals of money wasted. That's frustrating. It's difficult for a skater to make me mad but it takes about 20 seconds and my blood will boil listening to an outside promoter. This sounds like a blanket statement but it isn't. I just have to stay generalized to be politically correct at this time. I think it's unfortunate how fragmented events are getting due to large money involvement.How do I stay sane through all this? I didn't....

How do you decide where an event will take place?

>>>>>>>>>> A good example for this answer is in looking at 2013. Right now, Don is in his office working on a large spreadsheet that encompasses all events for skateboarding globally that have reached our communications. All events go on this spreadsheet, not just those of WCS. Conflict is not good in any sense of the word and to conflict dates amongst those doing events isn't good for anyone. You don't want to compete against another event for skaters, sponsors, media, etc. We look at available dates and geography and smooth things out in the best possible way for all. After all, this is better for WCS and skateboarding at the end of the day also.

Big Vert Big Competition @ World Cup Skateboarding Ostia 2012

How many teams are usually involved in a contest and who chooses the teams and riders?

>>>>>>>>>>> Teams? mmmM. They enter in a more individual way rather than teams. Numbers are changing a lot right now. Some don' have budget, some are contracted to only one series and some are controlled by the status of the event, such as an invitational. Street is always more than Vert in numbers. The bowls are very popular right now and that field is growing. Many events are invitational right now. That is then a more controllable event, but an Open event is mandatory, of course. Open events are more skaters, more days, more work. But this is how skateboarding via events grow.

How are the judges chosen, and can you name of the  judges you've had in the past?

>>>>>>>>>>> Judges usually approach us that they are interested. A big interest is in the pros that aren't competing so much anymore. They seem to love to judge and WCS thinks they're coming from the perfect direction. Typically we have worked with them as they competed and have known them for many years. Street skaters judge Street, Vert skaters judge Vert. And so on. We have a pool of judges Globally. It would be really difficult to give this list of names as I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. An example is of the recent Dew Tour in San Francisco. On street judging we had Chris Senn, Ronnie Bertino, Pat Duffy, Charlie Wilkins, Matt Milligan, Dave Duren and then Sasha Steinhorst as Head Judge. Sasha oversaw scoring and the computer system. This was not the first time with WCS for any of them. But we do rotate the judging panel for obvious reasons.

What are the judges looking for in a rider?

>>>>>>>>>>> Style, Innovation. Technical. Amplitude. The judges like to see someone on course that uses the entire course and also one that has a "new" run. Staying on your board figures in there.... obviously. This is an awkward answer for me to give. I know a great run when I see one but I don't think I could break it down. The judges can for sure, hit by hit. Interesting, their score sheets have a type of shorthand code and they can read this back to you any time and detail that run out from their coded notes. I cannot decipher their notes. Not at all.

What logistics are involved in planning a competition and how do you delegate tasks?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Logistics are mapped out a lot by builders and the promoter plus even sponsors at times. WCS is with the skaters, the actual competition. We come in with Director, Registration, Scoring, Judges, Announcer. Everyone has their role and they know it well. Delegating tasks isn't really much of an actual concern. If it is, that person might not be on the road with us again. Don does hold a staff meeting at the beginning of the event. Then there's a wrap up meeting at the end. Before the event, staff lists and times of work plus hotel info and such all get emailed out.

What are some of the biggest mistakes you've learned from?

>>>>>>>>>> I could have played the political game better. I was always too blunt. I blew off a couple high money avenues because the person with the pocket was such an idiot. But WCS has never been tainted for the dollar. We've been told we're too nice and some of us love too much, therefore some others felt they could walk over. Some on staff are mellow about this and some aren't. WCS is a large group of people that span globally and thank goodness most of them are calm.

Which event was your favorite and why?

>>>>>>>>> Favorite. mmmM. I loved Australia with Globe. And I loved GvR with Sole Tech and Don Brown and those guys. For the super large, I do love the Dew Tour. I love bowl events. Oh! And how about those Girls in the Combi? That is killer! Prague has always been on fire and a favorite. But then there's the Oi Vert Jam in Rio. This is an amazing venue and the promoter, Marcia Casz, is truly off the hook. We've become very good friends. She'll be doing more events in 2013 and this are bound to be ones I can't wait for! By the way, this event is owned by a woman, run by women and joins with CBSK8, the Brazilian skate federation, and WCS working together.

What do you see for the future of WCS?

>>>>>>>>> The future is now. Events are busy and the schedule is crowded with variety, more variety than I've seen before. The Girls are getting busy and they're strong. The pros are getting younger. So for WCS, there's a lot going on in 2013. We're restructuring as we speak. Tiering the point system for bowls, building events for the Girls and hitting the road like never before. We're reining it in and busting it out at the same time. And... we're taking a supportive (fun) look at Vert.

Danielle Bostick with the. Cab

Thank you so much Danielle. I still have so many questions, but I will save it for next time. Hope to run into you one of these days, maybe at that skate park in China.

>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for asking.

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