Alexander Maniatis
/
Australia
FOLLOW ME
www.tibsparise.com
Date of birth:
1987.10.08
Hometown:
Originally Nice, France / Now Sand Diego, California
Sponsors:
Sector 9 skateboards,
ParadoxGrip,
Black Flys eyewear,
Gullwing Trucks,
187KillerPads,
Hobbies:
Skateboard, Surf, Snowboard, Painting, Making and having fun
Favourite athletes:
Jake Brown, PLG, Bob Burnquist, Bucky Lasek, Louis Pilloni, Jimmy Riha
BIO
Born in Nice in France , I raised in the back country of the beautiful French Riviera. I started skateboarding at 10 years Young. At 17, I started to travel around Europe for tours and events, being on Magazine. I always wanted to live in California and be with the best skateboarder in the world. Since October 2013, I’m living that dream and enjoying my job as a Professional skateboarder in San Diego.
I ride the same board on all terrains (Downhill, street, big air, backyard pool, vert, …). I always
I’m not that much into Contest, I go for fun, I’m more into « Freeriding ». I did différents trip with my sponsors, I participate on évents I won, but I don’t remember all of them lol.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking to accomplish?
I’d like to show to people that even if my board is bigger than a regular skateboard, it’s still skateboarding. I’d like to show people that you can ride everything with the same board. Just want to be recognized as some one who is creative, and brought something in the skateboarding scene.
What would be your greatest achievement?
I would say having my Athlete Visa and living the life I’m living. Be on magazines, ads, and catalogs. Dude, I’m from a small town in France (5000 people lived there when I was Young). And be where I am today was a challenge.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
There’s a lot of people, and be picked up is not that easy, everybody wants to be the best. More, It’s hard to see kids coming in the scene and kill everything (14years Young for the winners of X-Games this year), A 10 years Young kid (Asher) made a 900, he’s only 10 ! Deal with them is hard, but make you want to get more and go further.
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
Making new tricks, meeting new people and be recognized is really satisfying.
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
It just depends, I like to go to the Breakdown (Sector9 bowl) or YMCA in Clairemont.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
I warm up with tricks I know, and then focus on new tricks, and keep doing until I made them. Being healthy, workout, stretching helps a lot.
When are you the most nervous when competing?
When I made it to the finals.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
My homies in France are my biggest fans for sure, they are stoked about where I pushed myself, we grow up together, and I’m living my dream. They always support me, no matter what.
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
Do things because you love it, not because of the money
What are your future plans?
My plans are to keep doing what I do, and go further, I still have many goals to accomplish!
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Everything is possible, Time is key, you can not have everything you want right now, keep fighting, it’s all about decisions, who you meet, what you say, and what you do.
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