Meet Eric Mickelson | Skateboard Instructor / Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Mickelson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Believing in yourself is the most important thing. There will always be people that will try to tell you can’t do something but if you never try then you’ll never know. Not saying I’ve never failed in life but that’s what’s gotten me to where I am today. Keep going! 🤙

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Born and raised in Costa Mesa, California, owner, operator, and head instructor ‘Mr. Eric’ is an avid skateboarder with 23 years of experience. In 2011, he turned his passion into a profession, teaching skateboarding to kids throughout Orange County. He is dedicated to introducing beginners to the art of skateboarding and helping intermediate skaters sharpen their skills. The #1 rule is HAVE FUN!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First thing we’d do is get up and grab some breakfast somewhere and head out to the local skatepark to get some clips skating and session for an hour or so. Then head to the local in n out burger for a double double and some animal fry’s. After that we’d head up the coast hitting all the skateparks we could before slamming to hard or our legs gave out from skating all day. Some of the funnest skateparks are from Venice beach to San Diego. There is something about camping in the back of your truck for a few days. With a guitar, a surfboard and a skateboard, Hittin the beaches on the coast, just the clothes on your back having bonfires and meeting new friend’s. Skating, Just cruising around with no specific place to go and just enjoying the ride. That’s some of the best times I’ve had with a few good friends who along for the ride.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all shout out to the piece of wood with four wheels. Skateboarding has taught me so much more than just some cool tricks. It’s a lifestyle that has taught me how to be confident with day to day life. Skateboarding is all about expressing yourself and harnessing your individuality. I also want to shout out my friend Joey Lopez for being a mentor to me when I first started teaching the kids to skateboard. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have started my own company. Also, my family for supporting me in everything I do.

Website: https://Usk8.fun

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Youtube: The Jetties

Image Credits
Brett Hartong