John Sims discovered skateboarding while living abroad in Germany in a military family. When he moved back to Westerville in 1992, he quickly fell into a developing scene in Columbus after meeting lifelong friend Matt Smith. Soon, he would start filming and editing full length videos to capture the progression of both friends and rising stars in the local scene. Since 2017, his Instagram account  “Dudleyclips” has archived in extraordinary depth a massive catalogue of clips from his time as a filmer and the footage he compiled. The account provides a comprehensive window of the Columbus skate scene from 93-97: the spots, skaters, and feeling of a moment in time. It makes you feel nostalgia for a time you likely never experienced firsthand. I give John a tremendous amount of credit for inspiring me to help document a kind of regional history not covered by national skate media. Please check out our conversation on John’s life in skateboarding and his role as an early pioneer of local skate videos.

Timestamps

1:30- Random banter about yesteryear 

8:40- Finding skateboarding

18:45- Moving to Westerville 

29:04- Meeting Chad Knight

32:57- Starting to film

45:25- Full length video deep dive

1:13:20- Dublin DIY skatepark 

1:19:32- Patrick O’Dell

1:27:09- Todd Pulsinelli

1:31:00- Memorable Demos

1:47:23- Adulthood 

1:50:22- California 

2:10:26- Starting Dudleyclips account

2:33:53- Columbus scene

2:37:00- New video??

2:45:00- Future guests?

2:55:10- Getting photo in Thrasher 

3:02:50- Most influential Ohio skater/final thoughts

On the outskirts of Dayton, Matt Williams is trying to put his hometown of Troy, Ohio on the map with a much needed skatepark upgrade. A skater since 1987, Matt has founded and organized Troy City Skatepark Unite, whose sole mission is to raise funding and support for a professional concrete skatepark on the site of their dated prefabricated setup. On September 20th, Matt and his team of volunteers will be hosting a skate jam in Troy, filled with giveaways, prizes, auction items, live music, vendors, artwork, and much more. This should be one of the premiere events of the year for the skate community to come together and help support Matt’s mission to give something big back to the community we all love. 

Additionally, Matt has worked at Alien Workshop since 1997, so he has plenty of great stories of the Sovereign Sect and their legendary presence in Ohio and impact on skateboarding globally. Join us as we discuss the 90’s Dayton scene, documenting a life in skateboarding, growing up with Nate Jones, getting hired at Alien Workshop, how to get a skatepark built, meeting Lennie Kirk, and much more. Please be sure to mark your calendar for September 20th for the big event in Troy. I plan on attending and hope to see everyone there. Thanks as always for the support. 

www.troycityskateparkunite.com

September 20th 2025

Joe Reardon Skatepark

99 North Ridge Ave. Troy, OH 45373

Time Stamps:

2:00- Introduction

7:00- Growing Up

20:15- Moving to Ohio

24:00- Starting to film 

32:00- Dayton scene 

45:00- How skating has changed

59:00- Nate Jones

1:10:20- Working for Alien Workshop

1:27:30- Launching Troy skatepark initiative 

2:05:45- Chris Carter and Mike Hill

2:12:50-Meeting Danny Way

2:17:30- Fun Alien Workshop memories 

2:21:50- Lennie Kirk 

2:26:40- Rob Dyrdek

2:31:25- Closing thoughts

2:35:30- Details about the fundraising event September 20th 2025

Scott Tutak has been a part of nearly  every iteration of skateshop in Toledo since beginning at Breaking Away in 1989. He will soon be celebrating the 30th anniversary of starting his own shop, Just Skateboarding, back in 1996. He has also worked as a rep for Podium Distribution, Crailtap, and Alien Workshop. He has held it down for the Northwest scene longer than damn near anyone, advocating for countless kids and friends in an area that often gets overshadowed.  Join us in this wide-ranging interview where we discuss the many key figures and stories that help tie Toledo into the broader Ohio scene. Please be sure to support Just as they approach 30 years in business, as well as the ongoing Cooks DIY skatepark project. Thanks again to Scott for his time in helping get these stories out, and for all of his generosity and passion in giving back to skateboarding!

Time stamps

1:23- intro

4:24- first exposure to skating 

11:15- working at Breaking Away

24:19- Dan Sturt 

30:30-Alien Workshop

44:00-early Toledo scene 

48:45-moving to Colorado

51:30-starting Just Skateshop

1:17:00-working in the industry as a rep

1:26:00-Toledo legends

1:37:30-skateshop challenges

1:57:00-making a living

1:59:30-living in Toledo

2:02:30-Cooks DIY

2:06:25-Toledo ramblings/shout outs

Tim came of age in Gahanna, Ohio during the ‘85 skate boom, and quickly developed into one of the Columbus scene’s most memorable prodigies. A Sunsports disciple and team rider, Tim won the famed skatepark’s inaugural contest series in 1990. He would eventually be discovered there by Steve Caballero and Powell-Peralta team manager Jim Fitzpatrick. In one of the most memorable stories told on the podcast to date, Tim was later invited out to the Santa Barbara headquarters by Jim, rubbing elbows and seeing the inner workings of the iconic brand at the end of their dominance. In 1993 he was invited to join Ron Allen’s short lived Fun Skateboards, joining a roster of young legends including Keith Hufnagel, Keenan Milton, and Eric Pupecki. Despite his enormous talent, Tim would eventually forego pursuing a career on the board, instead choosing to earn advanced degrees from Ohio State, sparked by his passion for literature and self-discovery. His career eventually landed him I n Florida, where after many twists and turns, he would go on to launch Shapes Skateboards, a full service custom woodshop serving brands across the nation. He plans to soon relocate back to Ohio with his family and continue his successful business closer to home. This is a fascinating interview into the story of a highly referenced and requested skater, who despite his legacy in the Columbus scene, is quick to deflect credit to others who inspired him along the way. Thank you Tim for your candidness and insight into a fascinating life in skateboarding.

Representing the Canton scene, Gabby is a true artist who has been a pioneer in Ohio for women’s skateboarding. She grew up around skating from the moment she entered the world, thanks to her father and fellow Canton legend Dale. Gabby started to get serious around the age of 11, skating rabidly at the beloved indoor park Evolution. She quickly learned an old school bag of tricks that stood out and set her on a path to competing and placing in several national contests, including the famed Combi Pool in Southern California. A master of inverts, Gabby has focused on transition and vertical skating despite growing up in a street-heavy generation, carrying the torch for those of us who fetishize 80’s style and skate culture. Recently, she completed a massive backyard bowl buildout on her home property that would make any professional park builder jealous. Situated in the privacy of her NE Ohio home, she carried out the lion's share of the hard labor with just her father and husband Nic to help. The project took 10.5 months, and result is a masterpiece in design and construction. This summer, Gabby will be hosting an all-girls skate and art jam on her property, expecting to host up to 100 skaters from across the country. She is an incredible ambassador for ladies skateboarding in Ohio, and it was an honor to have her talk about her skate journey as my first female guest! 

1:57-Origins/Gabby’s Dad

10:27- First contests

15:47- Vert skating

17:27-Woodward/being one of a handful of female skaters

19:40-Contest scene/traveling out of state 

23:42- Learning inverts

29:06- Brewce Martin/Skatopia 

31:37- Going to California/Skating the Vans Combi

35:37- Meeting various pros

39:39- Great bowls and ramps

50:03- Making and selling artwork

1:00:42- Building a backyard bowl

1:15:52-Hosting all-girls skate event this summer

1:19:02- Reflecting on her skateboard journey

1:30:43- Kristian Svitak

1:32:27- Her parent’s influence 

Chris is one of the most friendly and familiar faces in the Columbus scene. A skate lifer, he has taught hundreds of kids and adults how to confidently skateboard, often seen doing lessons and camps at  Skate Naked (RIP) and other local parks. His enthusiasm and positivity is unmatched, a true role model for countless youth. Chris has been fortunate enough to travel all over the country and world to skate with his wife Megan. Along with many crazy travel stories, Chris talks about growing up in Kent, working at Sunsports, moving to California to work at the Vans park in Orange, giving lessons to Jimmy Wilkins, and much more. Chris has been a part of damn near every chapter of Columbus skate history, and it was an honor to pick his brain about the past, present, and future of our shared passion. Hit him up if you're looking to get your kids or someone new involved in skateboarding! 

www.columbusskateboardinglessons.com 

Time Stamps 

1:26- First exposure to skateboarding

8:04- Meeting other skaters in Kent

11:46- Building ramps with friends

21:31- Skate road trips/ East Coast vert scene

32:56- Skating Dodge

37:24- Moving to Columbus

41:11- Sunsports

47:08- Moving around the country with Megan

57:08- Working at Vans Skatepark in California

1:03:41- Skate lessons 

1:22:39- Female skating

1:29:05- Health of skateboarding industry

1:37:36- M3D skatepark

1:46:31- Wexner Center Bowl

1:50:26- Jimmy Wilkins

1:52:11- Skating internationally 

2:02:16- Having a positive attitude 

2:05:46- Influential Ohio skaters

2:14:43- Closing thoughts 

Launched in January 2023, Advocate Skate Works is a non-profit organization operating out of Lakewood, Ohio, where they passionately serve the Northeast Ohio skate community. Travis and his wife Maddie have helped put quality gear into the hands of thousands of skaters throughout Ohio and beyond. Working with companies such as Vans, Quasi, Baker, NHS, and Thrasher, Advocate Skate Works distributes complete skateboards and shoes at numerous skate-related community events. Their tireless work has aligned with the mission of introducing skateboarding to kids of all backgrounds, and not letting the high cost of entry be a barrier to enjoying a lifelong love of skating as all of us have experienced. Join us as we discuss Travis’ skateboard journey- growing up in Pickerington, working at Dodge as a teen, Sunsports memories,  getting arrested for skating in San Diego, working at the Skatepark of Tampa, and ultimately landing in Cleveland and launching a successful non-profit. Follow their account for updates on several events happening in 2025, and how to get involved or sponsor their mission.  I plan to shine a light on other organizations serving the next generation of skateboarders in Ohio on future episodes!

Time Stamps 

Intro

1:50- Patrick O Dell

8:10- Growing up/intro to skateboarding 

20:10- Local Columbus rippers/Tim Simmons

25:10- Chad Knight

28:21- Skatebording then vs. now

30:10- Road trips/visiting California

35:10- Skating as an adult/moving several times 

45:24-Working at Dodge Skatepark/Donny Humes 

52:06- Getting involved in Non-profit work

58:12- Launching Advocate Skate Works

1:01:18- Partnering with Vans/Giving away product 

1:05:22- Collecting equipment 

1:09:50- Challenges ASW faces

1:18:10- Social media/PR

1:21:57- 2025 Events

1:26:30- The kids they work with/other great organizations

1:39:20- Companies who have helped ASW

1:41:21- Future vision 

1:45:20- Most influential Ohio skater 

1:47:20- Future guests?

1:48:53- Chaz McGee

1:52:30- Closing banter 

Tony Heitz is an encyclopedia of Cincinnati skate history. He’s been involved in skateboarding for over 40 years in several capacities both locally and nationally. He was a rider for Basic Skateboards in the early 90s, co-owner of Habitat Skateshop in Dayton, and Anonymous in Cincinnati. Additionally, Tony worked  as Team Manager for Alien Workshop, Habitat, and Seek from 2002-2007. A natural storyteller, Tony knows everyone in skating and remembers vividly all the key details of the early scene in Ohio. It was an honor to hear his story and get the opportunity to share it here with everyone. Look out for some exciting drops from his brand Trifecta in the coming year.

Time stamps:

01:09  -Growing up/first exposure to skateboarding

6:25- Broader Cincy scene

15:30- Lunken Skatepark

12:13- More early Cincy skate scene history

31:15- Skaters Island/ Basic Skateboards

40:00- Dayton scene

48:00- Spending time in California  

55:00- Habitat Skateshop

59:35- Solid Brand

1:02:10- Doug K

1:07:35- Joe Castrucci/Habitat

1:13:08- TM for Workshop/Seek/Habitat

1:45:56- Skate memorabilia collection  

1:50:48- Quick hit questions

1:57:18- Trifecta

2:07:33- New skatepark in Cincy

2:15:42- Best memories of skating

2:19:53- Final thoughts

Today we’re discussing all things fingerboarding with Noah Utterback. Holding down the Cleveland scene, Noah grew up in West Denison and currently lives in Parma with his wife. Noah is a member of Ohio’s own @cvlt_board_co where he is anticipating his own pro model later this year. Noah helped launch the first annual Fingerjam event in Cleveland in 2024, which he hopes will continue to be an annual event for the community.  Additionally Noah can be found at USAFBL sanctioned contests across the nation, and is a major advocate for the growth of the hobby in Ohio and beyond. He often brings  along a custom built ramp modeled after the famed indoor park at TriStar Skateboards to Cleveland area skate events, including the upcoming installment of the underground Baja Blast hardcore punk festival. Noah’s passion is contagious and this episode serves as a catch all for the history of finger boarding and the massive  growth the community has experienced. Hit him up for any questions on how to get started or involved in the hobby in 2025 and beyond!

Hailing from Westerville, Ohio, Bill is one of the most renowned and accomplished skatepark builders in the world. Along with his company California Skateparks, Bill has played a crucial role in developing, designing, and constructing some of the largest and most state-of-the-art skateparks around the globe, including both Olympic courses and largest-in-the-nation Lauridsen Park in Des Moines, as well as local favorites Tuttle and the remodel of historic Dodge in Columbus. He has travelled the world and helped spread stoke and interest in skateboarding in some of the most fascinating countries in the world, and has given countless skaters the opportunity to have a world class park in their community. Bill is a graduate of Ohio State’s Landscape Architecture program, after a stint as a scholarship soccer player at the University of Dayton. His time in Dayton helped fuel his love of skateboarding, surrounded by a flourishing scene in the mid to late 80s, where he would eventually help get Dodge and Sunsports parks built in Columbus. Bill has led a storybook life and shares many of his memories and tales here on the podcast. It was an honor to have to opportunity to spend time with him. Bill currently lives in San Clemente with his family.