Sk8 Dirt City Zine: September 2008

Interview w/ DK RAMPS

Words: Dug Ketterman Interview by: Morgan McDole
Photo Credits_ Duce Smith, Aly Bowen, Skendi Photography, DK

"Be a sponge. Talk less and listen more. The skateboard industry is a very creative environment, which allows for free-thinking and self-expression, but don't think for a moment, its all gravy like art class...be prepared to work the most heinous hours and take crap from seasoned skate-veterans." ~ DK

If you’re a skater in this town, you’ve probably heard a lot about DK Ramps lately- and well, that’s for obvious reasons- they (Dug Ketterman and Erik Brubaker) are out making things happen…and shredding.

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-Interview -

DCZ: First off, what kinds of services does DK Ramps offer?
DK: I am currently offering private skateboard, drum, and guitar lessons, backyard mini-ramps and rail construction, contest and demo coordination, skatepark design/construction, graphic design for print and web, and grassroots marketing campaigns.

DCZ: Dug Ketterman, how many years have you been skateboarding?
DK: Jeez...my dad built me my first ramp when I was in first grade...skated for a couple years, then picked up BMX until I was about 12, when I got my first new school board. I have been skating ever since...so I guess that is a total of 18 years.

DCZ: What would you say 12 years involvement in the skate industry has done for you?
DK: I now have a head full of grey hair; I hear it makes me look distinguished... Being able to work with some of the most talented people in the world has given me a broad scope of what is possible in many different aspects of the skateboard community. I have been able to learn from my success and failures; as well as, pull from the collective knowledge of the thousands of professionals, skaters, and families I have grown to know and love...not to mention shiny new sneakers that come in the mail from time to time.

DCZ: Because you have built and managed a slew of skate parks, you have conceptualized, coordinated, and hosted an untold amount of contests and events. Yet, not everyone knows all that goes into hosting an event. So, talk about why it would be advantageous for someone interested in the skate industry to get the DK Ramps name, behind his or her event.
DK: Well, first, let me talk about the difference between a successful contest and a dud. Believe me, I have had plenty of both. In keeping with the tradition of skateboarding, I have measured success in the smiles and energy that comes from not only the participants, but the spectators as well. Most competitions have been following the same traditional format...45 second runs...being judged on 10 different aspects at once...clouding the judges ability to truly give hundreds of accurate and fair scores throughout the afternoon. The loose criteria structure also gives to a common debate at the end of each contest...."Why did that backside flip beat that krook-fakie?", etc. This combined with 8 hours in the hot sun can often produce a less than gratifying experience. I have had the opportunity to experiment with all different types of contest formats, and have finally found a new approach which skaters and parents can grasp. This new level of enjoyment is also achieved in 2 hours or less, allowing families to plan out the rest of their day. I like to keep things simple, organized, and above all else, fun.

DCZ: Upcoming events?
DK: Let's see...this Saturday is the Skaters for Christ contest, demo, and concert in South Daytona Beach. In October, I am helping coordinate a contest with Timeline Productions at Paradise Funplex, Merritt Island, FL. DK Ramps will also be sponsoring a best trick contest with Maui Nix at the Ormond Beach Skatepark. November 6-9th is building the course and running numbers for the Skate and Bike Contest at the Hilton Resort in Cocoa Beach, FL (some names include Kelly Slater and Adam Taylor). In January, it is off to Georgia to judge King of the Groms… and more, plenty more in the works.

DCZ: What's your advice for kids wanting a career in the industry?
DK: Be a sponge. Talk less and listen more. If you are one of those kids that hang around a park or shop all day, every day...help out whenever possible. Also, find out what YOU enjoy doing the most, and pursue the passion that many people miss out on their whole lives. The skateboard industry is a very creative environment, which allows for free-thinking and self-expression, but don't think for a moment, its all gravy like art class...be prepared to work the most heinous hours and take crap from seasoned skate-veterans.

DCZ: Talk about how your environment growing up shaped you.
DK: I'll start off by saying I had my first job at age 5, sanding down wooden parts for my dad. By age 6, I was stocking retail supplies in Creative Castle (my parents craft shop). This led to my first business at the ripe old age of 8: selling fingerboards, necklaces, and wooden Bart Simpson toys at craft fairs in Northwest Indiana. My parents also had me running as a go-fer (waiter) for a 100 booth craft fair before I made it to the 2nd grade; as well as, taught me the fundamentals of entrepreneurship throughout my school days. My business sense now seems to be innate.

DCZ: Talk about some of your first designs and skateable pieces.
DK: I can remember my first launch ramp...2nd grade.... it fell apart when I was jumping over it. I then proceeded to fall onto a 2" bolt that lodged itself into my thigh...oh yes, sweet memories! My first park design was actually built in my friends carpet warehouse. We stored all the ramps up on a top rack using a forklift and brought them down when we were ready to sesh. Quarters, bank ramps, grind boxes, and we even skated the fully adjustable forks on the forklift.

DCZ: What's been your favorite completed project?
DK: I would have to say my first city park, Flounder, in Valparaiso, Indiana. It was not only the inspiration and springboard I needed to start my career, but also stands in memory of a truly great skater and friend, Ray Wampler.

DCZ: Not many people have a resume, the length of yours, which shows a clear direction. Talk about what it takes to not only pursue, but stay true to a passion.
DK: First, be honest. Not just with everyone around you, but with yourself. You need to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are excited about your endeavors, and they are actually making a difference in the world and lives around you.
Second, choose the hard way. When you begin your journey, you will be faced with many roadblocks and hurdles. You are usually faced with two options, the fast easy way that will barely get you by. Or, the hard way that, if you pay attention, will teach you vital information and open more doors than you could possibly imagine. And C- consider the alternative… going through school in your early twenties, getting an entry level position with 300 other people with the exact same degree and lack of experience (typically in a field other than your degree), and slaving away in a cubicle hoping to catch some of the scraps tossed down by the chiefs in command. Wasn’t for me.

DCZ: What keeps you goin’?
DK: The encouragement and support of my amazing family and friends...and the non-stop brain activity that wakes me up every morning looking for a pen and paper.

DCZ: What's been your biggest accomplishment?
DK: I can blow a bubble off my tongue, then pop it before it hits the ground using my salivary gland under my tongue as a shooting apparatus...its simply amazing!

DCZ: What part of the design and building process excites you?
DK: What part doesn't? I would have to say once the project is all said and done, watching skaters rip it to shreds gives me the most satisfaction.
DCZ: What about graphic design?
DK: One of my most influential art teachers, Mrs. Lynn, once told my class to never stop creating art.
Make it a daily habit to keep your skills honed. Graphic design is actually another outlet for my creativity and self-expression. Gotta feed the soul!

DCZ: At what point did you decide it was time to go out on your own?
DK: It was just about the time when everybody I talked to started saying, "Why don't you own your own business...? I guess it just clicked. I was born into an entrepreneurial family, so I new it was just a matter of time before I acquired the experience I needed to begin my journey.

DCZ: Who's your main man?
DK: Erik Brubaker is a local skater and builder here in Daytona Beach. I met him through Stone Edge Skatepark, and realized after working on a few projects together, his humor and solid work ethics were just the balance I needed to build a lasting team.

DCZ: What is your biggest request?
DK: A killer kitchen! I love to cook.
Note from the interviewer: I meant for DK Ramps’s services…but that works too.

DCZ: What's your motto?
DK: Give all that you have and you will receive all that you need.

DCZ: Future plans, goals, etc. Anything else, you want to ad.
DK: The goal is to travel around the world with my beautiful fiancé, Morgan, and help as many people along the way as humanly possible; recording and reporting our experiences. I feel like I was blessed with the ability to communicate, and I don't like to waste time. I was given a second chance at life when I was 16 years old, and I am going to do my best to use each day wisely, and for the benefit of the awe-inspiring world around us.

Anywhere you venture to is going to have a history. Some places end up being more historical than others; and some may just be revolutionists of their kind. Whatever the case, it's always interesting and sort of inspiring to see what used to be of the places you love to love. In this case, a fond memory in this town is what STONE EDGE SKATEPARK once was. The history behind the park and the people who have skated here, worked here, or just hopped a fence to make it a little more adventurous, is the gold foundation beneath the renovations. Some wish we could just dig up the dirt and those old bowls would be re-lived once again. I get a kick out of seeing old photos; most of which I find through my google-lurking. Like this one of Benji Galloway sneaking into Stone Edge from way-back-when. A decade later and his feet still make their way to the concrete of the only OG piece left, the 9Bowl.