It’s been a few days since the Project Events team returned from the Relentless NASS 2010 festival in Shepton Mallet and it was an all round success. Full write up of the event including photos will be available shortly.

After some discussion about the high standard of riding once again at this year’s event we were trying to place a most improved rider for the 2010 contest. One name cropped up on more than one occasion and we wanted to give that rider the recognition and exposure they deserved.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to bring you an interview with the rider Project Events felt had improved the most on Goliath over 12 months……….Josh Newman.

Interview conducted by Paul Nash.

First up Josh, congratulations on your improvement in skating the Goliath ramp this year. Tell us some of your details, name, age, what set up are you riding?

Josh Newman, 21 years old currently living in Romsey, near Southampton. My set up is – Highland Cartel Cyan 55 with Neobrain custom bindings with added Grosso strap.

Photo - Paul Nash

Nice, seems to work well for you. How long you been riding now?

4 Years nearly.

What got you started in Streetboarding?

I used to BMX and skateboard a little and one of my friends bought a streetboard from Adam Walder (Flipside UK) and I learned to ride on that. I bought my own from Flipside not long after.

Do you have any sponsors right now?

I’ve been riding with the Flipside guys for about three years now and used to ride for SB:UK before that disappeared….I may even still ride for them? I also represent for www.southsonic.co.uk

Project had you down as the most improved rider on the goliath ramp since the 2009 contest. Have you been training hard? How did you improve?

I haven’t been able to train for the goliath as there is nothing like it anywhere in the UK. I just skated as much as possible to get comfortable on my board. I haven’t back flipped anything for years but feeling happier on my board it just seemed possible on the ramp.

Photo - Paul Nash

The goliath set up obviously suits your skating style. What else do you like to skate?

Since I started, the appeal of streetboarding was to go as big as possible and upside down. Goliath was perfect for this. My local park doesn’t have a big launch ramp so I have been working on mini ramp, grinds, general tech, getting comfortable on my board and just chillin.

Who do you normally skate with and where?

I used to study in Bristol and skated with the Bristol crew – Simon Johns, Dai Hare, John White and Alex Wheeler. Since I moved back to Romsey I just skate with the locals at the park or head towards Oxford to skate with Colin Horan or you.

Photo - Colin Horan

What do you do with yourself when your not skating?

I play hockey (field) for Romsey which I love because it’s with a lot of my close friends, Plenty of banter and good times. I work as little as possible so I can spend as much time as possible chillin’ with friends and having a good time.

Photo - Colin Horan

Where, in your opinion, do you think streetboarding is heading now the riders are running the companies?

I think streetboarding has allot of potential and things like the Goliath are exactly what I think the boards are made for but I think there’s allot of different riders out therewith allot of different styles so the possibilities are endless. I don’t want to compare it to any other sport out there because streetboarding is definitely unique but there’s no reason we can’t be out there shredding and spreading the word. We all do it because we love it and let’s face it, none of us are doing it for the fame and glory but in terms of the sport as a whole I think once we get our break streetboarding will be a success.

So, what have you got in store for Goliath next year?

Double back to broken face maybe….? Due to the success of my front flip which I wasn’t sure about maybe I’ll be looking at an upgrade on that?

Nice, we’ll look forward to that then. Any shout outs?

To everyone I have ever skated with really. All the UK guys that I skate with that make me push myself. Flipside for getting me into the scene and Andy Garrett for making me do my first back flip after three months when I could barley skate in a straight line. Max Anderson because he always tells me how to do a trick when I ask….” Yeah you just basically do this man” as he gestures it.

I love how streetboarding is like a big family. Every time I go to an event it’s just hanging out with cool people. That’s what makes it worth skating for me and to anyone just starting out, just keep on wiggling.

Thanks allot man, keep up the good work. See you at the next event!

Photo - Paul Nash