Chance Gaul Interview: I just Skate, I’m a Skater.

My first “close encounter” with Chance Gaul was back in 2012 when he shot me in the back with an Air Soft pistol while I was watering a parched tree near my tent—he was 15 then and mischevious as a hellcat (I’m not sure what a hellcat is exactly, but let’s just agree it’s a mischevious creature!). Anyway, I tried my hardest over the years to catch and then punish Chance for shooting me in the back that painful evening, but the kid is quick like a weasel—I’m not quick like a weasel—and as you know: time heals all wounds. These days, Chance and I are bros—we’ve buried the hatchet and he’s growing up day-by-day. Funny anecdotal skate-trip story aside, Chance is one of the most naturally talented all-around skaters I know. I’m stoked to call him a bro-down. Please enjoy our conversation and the accompanying photographs.

Interview by Marcus Bandy. Photos by David Marano & Marcus Bandy.

So why the hell did you shoot me in the back at Giant’s Head? Did someone put you up to it or was it your idea?

At the time I was in “party mode” and Liam Morgan told me to shoot you. After I shot you it was pretty scary. if I recall correctly, you threw a 24oz NOS can at me. You ended up hitting the side of someone’s camper with it and they freaked out on me.

I’ve seen you pull some serious shenanigans over the years at events and stuff. Have you ever been punched in the face as a result?

Fortunately, no. But I’m cutting down on the shenanigans.

Anyway, I forgive you for shooting me—where do you live?

Laguna Beach.

You used to live in Laguna Beach, right? You are a member of the whole LBDR crew with Liam and those dudes aren’t you?

I still have a house in Laguna, so that’s where I live. Yea dog, LBDR for lyfe!

Do you guys ever walk around Laguna just “cool guying” people?

Only kooky tourist. I hate tourist!

Tell us about that time you impersonated the police and were pulling over girls in your car and yelling at them with the loud speaker. You got busted for that right?

I had a loud speaker with sirens in my car and I saw some cute girls around town—decided to give them some attention. I guess my car got a bunch of police reports called on it. Luckily, the cop that pulled me over knew me and gave me a little break.

What does your mom think about the skateboarding and surfing lifestyle?

She is super stoked on what I’ve accomplished when it comes to my athletic abilities. But, as any mom would, she prefers that I focus on school.

You travel all the time for skateboarding events—how do you manage to get through school?

It’s very hard. I was recently deficient, but I brought my grades up and I’m doing online school for the rest of the year to stay on top of it while I am at those events.

Tell us about your surfing pursuits. What are your plans for getting totally pitted with the brody-bros out in the line-up, dude? Do you want to be the Barrel Champion of the Galaxy?

I’m not exactly sure what that means? I surf every day. I prefer to surf over skating.

Do you think surfing helps your skating and/or visa versa?

I think that park skating totally helps me when it comes to surfing, and my downhill skating style totally comes from surfing; so yeah, skating and surfing are totally connected.

You are also one of those “Skate It All” type rippers—you bomb hills with the best of ‘em, but you also shred street and transition too. For many skaters it’s one or the other—they either see themselves as “longboarders” or “skateboarders”. How do you juggle all the different styles, names, labels and how do you define yourself as a skater?

I hate the term “longboarder” I just skate. I’m a skater.

You ride for Sector 9 Skateboards. Those dudes are a tight knit group over there—it’s like a family. What’s it like riding for them and how did you get hooked up with Sector?

Getting on Sector was a dream come true, they have helped me when it comes to surfing too. I got hooked up through E.G. I’ve known him for quite a bit because he is also from Laguna.

Who taught you how to do stalefish ollie grabs on a ramp?

You did. Whoever reads this should Google “Marcus Bandy”. #killinit

Ha ha! I was just giving you shit, but thanks man! Anyway, what’s your favorite trick? What’s your favorite hill to bomb? And who is your favorite skater of all time?

When it comes to tricks I just like boosting any air out of a bowl. Favorite hill? I can’t pick . . . all the hills in Laguna. I don’t really have a favorite skater.

When I say the word “longboarding” what are three words that come to mind?

Kook. Skogging. Dancing.

What about “Chip_Barrel”?

Man, no one even realizes that when they go to their local Mexican food restaurant and get some chips and salsa that they’re looking at replicas of the sickest surf spots in the world. Ha ha! Follow @chip_barrels on Instagram.

How about “weirdo beardo”?

Liam Morgan can tell you all about getting Beardo. I have some very Weirdo Beardo videos of him and my homie Nate from our last trip to Puerto Rico.

What’s your plan for this year? Goals and accomplishments and that type of shizzle?

I just want to travel a bunch. I don’t really have any huge goals.

Now that you are 17 will you be getting married soon?

There is so many girls in the world, I’m just exploring each one until I find what I need.

Do girls just wanna have fun?

Depending on what you mean by “fun”, yes. I can tell you exactly what they want but . . .

If you had to skate with one homie for the rest of your life who would you choose, and why?

Man, that’s tough! I love Liam, Wyatt, and Byron. But I’d have to say Roger Jones. He’s my best friend.

Who are all your sponsors and people that support you?

Sector 9, Muirskate, Aera Trucks, Etnies, Vicious Grip, and Venom Bushings.

Let’s close up shop—what are your final thoughts and closing comments?

Umm, shout out Liam, shout out Roger, shout out Byron, shout out Wyatt, and shout out LBDR.

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