What's The Flo: Angel Saldana

Hometown:

Compton, CA

Current Residence:

Lynwood, CA

Current Setup:

Toy Machine (8.25)

Bro Style Grip

Independent Trucks (149)

Bronson Bearings

Pig Wheels (54mm)

Age:

19

Local Shop:

Legends Boardshop (Downey)

Local Park:

Wilhall/Cherry/Silverado 

So what's your overall mentality for skateboarding?

I love it so damn much. Even when I'm not skating, I'm pretty much still skating, and by that, I mean I'm either on the gram trying to watch clips, or watching videos that I own, or surfing the web trying to watch the latest part when I can. Skateboarding has brought and given me something to be passionate about and have aspirations for.

Any plans for 2017?

My goals for 2017 right now are to keep working, eventually go back to school, find a better job if I have to, and make a small video part, and maybe if I can, find room for a special little lady.

Amen. So how do you view the skate community?

I think of the skate community as one huge family sometimes, it really is a small world. At times, you'll run into ams or pros and find out they're your homie's homie [laughs]. Generally speaking though, once you have your own set of bros or a squad you're straight. That's basically all you really need, some people can be cool as f*ck, or just be d*cks. I guess it all really falls on how well you skate, like let your board do the talking and you have people rushing up to you handing you respect and props, etc...

What's your thought process when filming a trick?

I try not to think about it too much because I'll get anxious, but also you kind of have to focus, so I guess just keep a clear head and I just imagine myself rolling away and how good it'll feel after.

What about when learning a new trick?

When I learn a new trick, it's really like baby steps, if I wanted to learn Tre flips, I'd tell myself, "Well I already have varials, so let me scoop harder instead of flicking." That's sort of how I see it.

Do you prefer skating by yourself, or in groups. Explain.

I don't really have a preference, but if I had to choose, it'd probably be with groups hands down. You need that homie hype sometimes, it can really push you outside your limits sometimes and motivate you more than you think.

If there was any job you could have in skateboarding, what would you do and why?

As an actual job besides being a pro? I'd say being a filmer, that sh*t just seems so much fun to me, you get to travel on trips all over the world with your friends and just skate and get clips, doing whatever you love doing, you know?

Most definitely. So tell us what skateboarding has done for you as an individual. What's your story?

That's a tough one, but for sure. It's definitely changed my life up a bit. First and foremost, clothing wise, then personality wise, I learned from watching videos and skate parts, that nothing worth having comes easy. That you have to pay to play sometimes. If you want it, you have to go out and get it, but you just have to be patient. I look up to so many pros and try to incorporate and emulate their lifestyles into mine, like Neen Williams' healthy eating and gym life, Andrew Reynolds' pefectionism, Cole Wilson's "don't give a f*ck, party animal sh*t". I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I first stepped on that piece of wood with four wheels on it. To really make it short and simple, skateboarding taught me "never give up", even when times are at their toughest. When you think about quitting, think about why you started.

What's next for you in skating?

To be able to keep skating as much as I can while I can, to get better at it, drop a part if possible, and have fun.

Any shoutouts?

Big shout outs to my mom and pops for having my back, the homies; Daniel, Boni, Lenny, Stephen, Eric, Lalo, Jake, Justin, Jimmy, Rambo, Chris, Emilio, Derek, Reggie, Junior, and of course you Holliday! If I'm forgetting anyone, I'm sorry but y'all my n*ggas for life!

Thanks for joining us Angel. Much love.

Follow Angel on Instagram:

@angelsaldana___