Over the summer, this 14 year-old phenom has taken the action sports world by
storm. This rising skateboarder
took first place at the AST Dew Tour in Salt Lake City and won a silver medal
at the X-Games.
Currently ranked second overall behind Ryan Sheckler at the Dew Tour, Chaz has
a chance to win the 2008 Dew Cup next week at the Tour's final stop in Orlando.
Kidzworld was able to catch up with the rising superstar to talk Dew
Tour, school and just about everything else!
Gerald: You are currently in second
place in the Dew Tour. Have you been surprised with your success? Chaz Ortiz: Yeah, I mean, I thought I was going to skate the contest and do OK and maybe get on
the podium once. I didn't know all this was going to happen at all. What
happened was better than I asked for.
Gerald: What has been the highlight of
the Tour so far? Chaz Ortiz: My highlight was winning Salt Lake. It was the
biggest crowd in skateboard
history. And that alone was even incredible being in front of all those
people watching. When they called my name I was speechless, just like shocked.
I knew I did good and I knew it was my day I guess. I was really happy, I
wouldn't have had it any other way.
Gerald: Do you get nervous or anxious
before competitions, especially in front of all those people? Chaz Ortiz: Not anymore, I used to a little bit, but now I'm getting used
to it. I mean, I just skate. I don't think about that stuff, I just go out
and skate and just pretend I'm doing my thing at the skatepark.
Gerald: How has life changed for you
in the past year ever since your burst onto the scene? Is it weird giving out
autographs now? Chaz Ortiz: It hasn't changed that much, just like all the traveling basically and a lot of new sponsors
approaching. Other than that, I haven't changed, I'm still a regular kid
at the skatepark just skating with all my friends.
Gerald: You have a big weekend coming
up soon with the last Dew Tour stop in Orlando. What are your feelings coming
into that? Chaz Ortiz: Well I'm just going to go in there and do what I do
at any other stop. Just go in there and practice and get my
stuff down. I mean, whatever happens. If I get last place, I don't mind because
I'm just having a good time, but if I won it, it would be even better
(laughs).
Gerald: Do you think you'll win it? Chaz Ortiz: I don't know, it's a possibility. If I land all the
tricks I want to and more, it could happen. Everybody skates super well on the
Tour. It all depends on who's hot and who's got their stuff down.
Gerald: Ryan Sheckler is 8 points
ahead of you coming into the final stop. Is there a friendly rivalry going on?
Any trash talking? Chaz Ortiz: Oh no way. He's super cool. I mean, after Salt Lake
we went out for dinner and stuff, he's just super cool. We're just friends,
but when it comes down to competition, we just take it more seriously.
Gerald: So does he or guys like Paul
Rodriguez give you a lot of advice? Chaz Ortiz: Oh yeah! I mean I ask them for advice, they ask me. It all works
out good. I hang out with both of them.
Gerald: Do you feel any pressure to
live up to Ryan, because a lot of people are calling you the next coming of
him? Chaz Ortiz: No, I just be myself. If I'm doing good, I'm really happy.
I'm just trying to keep a good head on my shoulders and just keep
skating how I'm skating and hopefully things will work out great.
Gerald: Let's rewind time a little, what
made you want to get into skateboarding? Chaz Ortiz: Well I saw my cousins skateboarding.
They were my role models basically. And I was like, '"Whoa I want
to try that, I want to try it!" They got me a board one day when I was six and I was like,
"Thanks!" And I was always out trying to skate and it was the funnest
thing I'd ever done. So I just kept skating and my dad would take me to skate
parks and I would get better and better and never stopped from there.
Gerald: So other than your family,
what pros did you look up to? Chaz Ortiz: I looked up to all of them: Sheckler, Paul (Rodriguez). I mean I alwayslooked up to them and now I'm on their level, it's crazy!
Gerald: On to your interests. What
kind of music do you like? Chaz Ortiz: I listen to hip-hop.
Gerald: Anybody in particular? Chaz Ortiz: Not really, whatever sounds good and whatever sounds
good at the time.
Gerald: What about fave TV shows? Chaz Ortiz: I'm on MTV a lot. Or I watch
the Dew tour stops.
Gerald: What is the coolest place
you've traveled so far? Chaz Ortiz: I think Salt Lake City was one of the coolest ones.
I've been out of the country, but Salt Lake was super nice, like all the mountains
around. I just liked it there, nice weather and stuff, I want to go back there
and vacation one time.
Gerald: Are there any other
sports you like to play? Chaz Ortiz: I play basketball a little bit at my
school sometimes with my friends. But other than that, just focus on
skating.
Gerald: What about school, how is that
been going so far? Chaz Ortiz: It's been pretty good so far. I've been in three or
four weeks so far. It's alright.
Gerald: What is your favorite subject? Chaz Ortiz: I don't know, maybe world history.
Gerald: For our female audience, do
you have a girlfriend? Chaz Ortiz: I do not (laughs). I don't want one.
Gerald: How tough is it balancing a skateboarding
career and school? Chaz Ortiz: It's pretty hard because I have to do homework on the
plane or hotel when I'm not skating. It's not hard to the point where it's
overwhelming, it's just hard sometimes because you just want to focus on
skating. But at the same time, you have to do your school work because
when you get back they're going to want you to turn it in and stuff. But other
than that, it's fine.
Gerald: What are your goals for the
future, short term and long? Chaz Ortiz: Well my short term is to do good in Orlando. And my
long term is to keep skating and see where it takes me and make the most out of
it.
Gerald: And very last question, what
advice do you have for kids who are trying to follow in your footsteps? Chaz Ortiz: Really just, if you like it just keep skating. Whatever
makes you happy you got to do it for yourself and what
you feel in your heart. And just keep going with it, just skate
everyday, learn your stuff and be happy!
