>Ronnie Bertino is one of my favorite skaters off all time. When he popped on the scene everyone took notice. Over the top tech control mixed with an incredible style and a welcome addition to any social gathering made Ronnie a staple in 90,s skateboarding.

>What was your favorite time in skateboarding?

My favorite time in skating was the mid 80′s to early 90′s. Reason being is that it was on a whole other level.I remember having to have the newest powell video and I would watch those over and over(stacy was really ahead of his time in those days as far as how he brought skating to the audience. I would jump up right when it was done and skate to the local school yard and pretend I was one of the bones brigade.I was hyped on having been involved when jump ramps were a big thing and skating to every spotsessioning and then skating or taking the bus to the next one. Once the late 80′s came around natas was doing things we thought would never be possible.(ollieing up full size picnic tables and ollieing from a jump ramp to a roll bar on a truck and railsliding it.The transition into the early 90′s from the 80′s was amazing at the time, a dude named Matt Hensley came along with a company called H-Street and started taking it to another level of technical and old school which blended well.

>What do you see as the biggest difference between then and now?

Well, for one, not as many kids were doing it back then. It was the epitimy of being an outcast and a rebel so to say. Now everyone is jumping on a
board and random kids who you thought would never be into it or maybe even hate on it have skateboards. Back then you were not motivated by money, I never said to myself that I wanted to get rich off of it, I think a lot of kids now have that in mind when they buy a board. Back then we did it fun and it happened to turn into something.

>I remember seeing the photos of you doing the switch back lip down the San Diego College rail back in the day ( the first ever done ) and looking back how did you even think that was possible? Back lips down rails were tough enough back then.

Before that I was up in san francisco a lot and skating with some of the best at the time. Mikey Carroll Henry Sanchez, Karl Watson, Mike York etc. I
think being in S.F for the time that I was and seeing what those dudes were throwing down openend my mind to what can actually be done on a skateboard and helped me think of things maybe other kids at the time wouldn’t have thought of. I remember it was a heated session with duffy Jeremy Wray, Colin and Rodney. Duffy was doing a backside flip over the rail and for some reason a switch backlip popped into my mind. I just started trying it. It took me a bit but (not blowing smoke up my own ass) but I did it twice in a row and didn’t like how I landed so the one you see is the third one I did,m and ended up landing right. I was just a reflection of who I was skating with at the time.

>You rode for Think, Blind, Plan B and now you been with ATM for quiet some time. Tell us about your relationship with ATM and what’s cracking down there.

Well, I was working and riding for atm when I first got involved and it was cool. I was running the team and doing slaes and skating when I could. At that time though to be honest I was deep into partying. I mean, I was doing blow, drinking tons and eating pills like they were tic tacs. It was a
reality check when I realized I needed to work a 9 to 5 and soon enough give up trying to be a pro skater. Things are good down here, Right now I am the domestic sales manager and help out in anyway that I can, production, shipping and ideas for new product.

>I have always had a lot of respect for John Falahee. What is it like working with him for so many years?

It’s been cool, John is really one of the only owners I know who jumps in the back and cuts wheels and prints wheels and works hands on. Most of the owners these days from what it seems just sit behind a desk and count money. John has always been invlolved and isn’t one of the owners that only stops by once a month I mean if you want to find John he’s here in the back working. It’s funny that I ended up here cause John was my first legit sponsor when he was doing Alva.

>You have had some of my favorite footage in skateboarding.Tell me about
some of your favorite filming memories or filming nightmares?

Well, I don’t really have a favorite memory of any particular session that I filmed but I was just having fun in general at the time and was hyped on
skating. Never really any nightmares at all up until the time came where I realized I wasn’t up to par with the shit that was going down and was finally like fuck this shit.

>What is your favorite video you were in?

I’d have to say second hand smoke and the think vid. The think vid was the first vid I ever really traveled and skated new spots and the second hand smoke vid was where I believe I was at the top of my game.

Ronnie Bertino Plan B Second Hand Smoke

>What is your favorite video part of all time and why?

I have two if I can do that. Natas in Streets on Fire and Matt Hensley in Hokus Pokus. Just watch them and you will see why.

>Seems like one thing never changes in skateboarding. People LOVE to party-What are your thoughts on the effects that can have on a up and coming skaters future?

Well, I am a perfect example of what can happen. your time most definitely can be cut short by it. We all like to have fun and when you are young
making decent money and you start partying you can either get out of control with it and let it take over or be one of the few that can maintain and handle it. I know a lot of dudes that are still killing it and have an image based on partying. Eventually though it will catch up, job wise or health wise. Just be careful. This is a lesson people have to learn on their own.

>I noticed you do a fair amount of contest judging. How did that come about?

I know the Bosticks from back in the day and actually was talking with John Muldoon (he used to judge for world cup) I asked him to put my name in the hat and eventually they started putting me on the judging panel for contests.

>Do you feel a lot of pressure judging these contests with so much cash on
the line for 1st place?

I just make sure I pay attention and judge accordingly. It can be stressful at times and sometimes dudes think they got robbed but I am only one of the judges and most the time the formats need to be understood by the riders. There are a lot of different ways the things are judged and dudes need to pay attention to that.

>I know if I was a able street skater it would give me piece of mind knowing that your were judging the street and not some dickhead old vert dude that does not even know the tricks he is watching.

I appreciate that and I hope most of the dudes respect my opinion and think I am capable of judging them in a contest.

>Knowing you travel with a rowdy crew on the contest circuit got any good Matt Miligan stories?

Milligan is a fun dude to hang with and is always looking for a good time. Honestly since I don’t drink I don’t go out much with them when they are in party mode but I see them the next day and get to hear all the fun shit that happened. Weiss, you know there is always a good milligan story.

>I know you are a proud new PAPA. How is all that?

Being a father is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can truly say now that I know what true love is. My son is the most important thing in my life and everything I do from here on out is for him.

>Can your son do frontside noseslide nollie heel fakies yet?

He already busted that shit down el toro.

>Who are your 3 favorite skaters of all time?

Matt hensley
Natas Kaupus
Mark gonzales

>What about the new ams, what ones do you feel are really taking skating to a new dimension?

There are so many new ams and so many kids now that are killing it I cant even answer this. All I can say is that the future of skateboarding looks bright.

>You got any hobbies? You in a band, like sports, breed dogs???

Yeah I got hobbies. I play guitar and was in a band for a while but now just rock out occassionaly at home. I am a huge football fan and have been a Colts fan for 25 plus years. I had a pit when I was a kid and it was the best dog ever. His name was bonzai and he has a cameo in my Think part.

>Whats next on deck for Mr Bertino?

Getting married to the mother of my kid in the near future. Only thing that is next after that that is important for me is to raise my kid right and watch him grow up to be a decent human being. I want him to be proud of me as I am already so proud of him.

>Great catching up and thanks for letting me ramble at you.

You too Weiss, love ya buddy.

RONNIE BERTINO – XYZ -STARS & BARS