Scott, bloody bows, Guajataka Slide Jam, Puerto Rico. Photo: Bandy
Scott Lembach is the epitome of “Beastmode”—If you’ve ever skated with him you already know this fact. He’s what us skaters like to call a “Charger”. He’ll shred any hill, pool, or whatever skateable terrain you put in his path. Scott is also the owner and general manager at Muirskate.com—one of longboarding’s premier online stores. He’ll be 42 years young this May and his passion for, and dedication to, skateboarding burns strong, bright, and inexhaustible. We here at Wheelbase are fired-up and honored to work and shred with Mr. El Beasto!
Scott sliding a gnar-gnar of a hill in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Photo: Bandy.
Many in this land of downhill skateboarding simply know you as “The Beast” or “El Beasto”—what’s up with that—who gave you that title and how do you think that burly and animalistic nickname came about?
Last summer, the boys at the shop saw something they had not seen before in my skating. The crew started calling me “El Beasto” after that. It seems to resonate well. Ha ha! I guess you are asking what is this “Beastmode” thing they speak of? It is a state of mind that takes over your body. It is when you lose the sense of reality and what is in front of you is all or nothing. The final result is you either throw-down the “run of your life” or you find yourself crawling out of the bushes dusting yourself off while walking up the hill to do it all over again. That is “Beastmode” my friends!
He’s so beastly & fast that you sometimes can’t even focus on ’em. Photo: Bandy.
How long have you been riding skateboards—long, short, or otherwise?
I have been riding skateboards for almost 8 years. There is definitely something to be said for riding what you sell. I am a firm believer that if you claim to be “Skater Owned and Operated”, you should be out in the community, riding with your customers.
Scott & crew doing good things with Mathew Howe, his fam, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Photo: Bandy.
Ooooo! It’s top-three time—you ready?
Yep!
What are the top three longboard stores, besides Muir Skate of course?
I assume you mean shops that get involved with the community? I know first-hand that each of the following shop owners live the “Skate Everything” Lifestyle. I have seen it and I admire each one of them for their contributions to their local communities. These guys are doing it right:
Rip City Skate: JP over at Rip City is the most passionate shop owner I know. He is passionate about the people involved in this culture. I hear it and see it in his actions.
Extreme Board Shop: William sits atop the hills in Glendora frequently, ready to shred with riders from all over. He is fast and fearless! I have seen him shred a ramp and I have seen him care about the community of Glendora. Extreme is located at the bottom of one of Southern California’s most coveted downhill runs, so after a long day of skating go there because there is a couch waiting for you at his shop.
Switchback Longboards: Kelsey supports the community in Canada. He does his job well. Although I have only had a few words with Kelsey at events, I do know what he is doing up in Canada. He has a team of riders that he supports and he gives back to the community through sponsoring and participating in local events.
Scott getting gnarly at his favorite local spot. Photo: Bandy.
Who are your top-three favorite skateboarders, and why?
Louis Pilloni, of course. Why would Louie not be on my list? He always has a smile on his face and that is what skateboarding is all about. Louie has found himself a home in this culture through his commitment to making the sport better. I am sure everyone would agree with me.
Jeff Budro, and he is not old! He shows up and represents his sponsors well. He wins races and represents skateboarding the way it should be. You will make your daughter proud, Jeff!
Everyone one who steps out of their comfort-zone and tries skateboarding for the first time is on my favorites list.
A high-speed drifter on another San Diego gem. Photo: Phillip “Stretch” Baker.
Top-three brands in longboard skateboarding?
Muir Skate only stocks brands that are innovative and quality driven. We are hard on brands that want us to carry them at our shop. There is demand for all sorts of new brands, but we only want the best for our customers. We sell many top brands in the industry, but these three should get special mention:
Rayne: Best construction and quality.
Sector 9: Best in safety equipment.
Landyachtz: Best diversity of shapes.
All or nothing. Britannia Classic, 2012. Photo: Bandy.
What are your three favorite cheeses?
Swiss, Muenster, and Provolone.
Going Up! Scott, homies, and the Muir Van. Barrett Junction. Photo: Phillip “Stretch” Baker.
Off track a bit, but why the heck—when we are on a trip—do you order all of the food for the entire table? Do you have some sort of culinary background that qualifies you for such tyrannical ordering methods? I must say in your defense though that everybody seems to like your choices. But anyway, what’s up with these meal-time shenanigans?
I was a restaurant waiter on-and-off for 12 years of my life. Try waiting on a party of 12, with 24 customers anxiously waiting for you—It is definitely hard work. Everyone finds something on a buffet that they like and if there is not enough, just order more. That is just my style and I am sure the waiter appreciates it behind the scenes. I know everyone else at the table seems to be pleased at the end of each meal.
Scott shows this VW how to properly negotiate a winding Barrett Junction. Photo: Bandy.
MuirSkate.com is one of the most prolific online longboard skateboarding stores in the industry—can ya tell us a bit about how, when, and where Muir Skate started?
In August 2005, I met with a couple of tenured staff members at the University of California San Diego to discuss plans to open the first university surf shop. I had no idea what to expect, both because it had never been done before and I had no retail experience to speak of. Nevertheless, I had to give it a go. Broke, but with good credit, I was able to get the ball rolling. Making the most of our 400 square foot space, I brought in popular surf brands like Billabong, Ripcurl, Spy Optics, and more. I quickly realized that selling apparel and surfboards was not going to cut it alone. I soon met Kevin and Michael at Gravity Skateboards, and that was the birth of what is known today as MuirSkate.com.
Off-the-wall in lovely Puerto Rico. Photo: Bandy.
Muir focuses mostly on downhill, and longboard skateboards in general. That said, what are your thoughts (business-wise and as a skateboarder) on the growing “Skate Everything” movement?
As previously mentioned, I try to skate everything. To this day, I cannot kick-flip a skateboard, but that does not mean I will not before I die. Someone just needs to step up and challenge me to it. You can do anything that you set your mind to, even kick-flips. As for the business side of things, I like that longboard brands are paving the way for newbies. Riding transition will help you take your downhill skating to the next level. It is a great way to define your balance. We are going to see a lot of interesting single and double-kick boards in 2013. I am really excited about that. Bring it on!
Scott and the Muir/Wheelbase 2013 Guajataka crew. Photo: Bandy.
Oh yeah! We can’t for get to talk about this: the Muir Skate/ Wheelbase Magazine fourth-annual Downhill Disco event is right around the corner and it’s slotted to be one of the biggest and baddest 3-day skate events of 2013. Shit, we’re doing the Wheelbase Magazine 2nd Anniversary party in your warehouse during the event on that Saturday night. Other than an epic party with live music, libations, a photo exhibit, and ramp shredding, what can skaters expect if they come join us at the 2013 Downhill Disco?
We are stoked that Wheelbasemag.com will cover the entire 2013 Downhilll Disco. It is a 3-day event this year and is going to require a lot of attention. We are really excited that Earthwing, Comet, and Original are coming out with their team riders from the East Coast to shred with us. It is a long way to travel therefore we want them to leave with good memories. Many of your favorite riders will be at the Downhill Disco this year and it will be a great chance to meet them all in the same venue. It is a great opportunity to make some new friends as well. It is going to be legit! We made it a 3-day event so that we could squeeze in the Wheelbasemag.com 2nd Annual Party on Saturday April 13th at 8pm. The Muir crew was there for their party last year and it was heavy. We wanted to be a part of it this year. We will have a band jamming for us while we all shred the Muir Ramp! It is all going down and we are hoping you can make it out.
Scott , deep in a Dump Road Outlaw pack run. Photo: Phillip “Stretch” Baker.
You, Amanda Powell, and a crew of Wheelbase supporters collaborated to get me a set of NJK leathers a while back. Thank you kind sir! That said, does it scare you that I will soon be faster than you and that once I end up beating you I will change my name to the “The Bold Beast of Goodness”?
Really Marcus? You want to go there? After all, your custom NJK leathers were an expensive joke. Ha ha! We figured having nineteen sponsors on your suit would get you some clout with the ladies. You want a piece of El Beasto? Looks like we’ll be seeing each other at a few Masters races this year. You have officially been called out. Don’t back down!
Channel Street shralpin’! San Pedro, California. Photo: Bandy.
Okay, that really hurt . . . I may cry myself to sleep now. Ha ha! Anyway, your challenge is accepted! Testosteronie-flexing aside, Thank you very much for being a rad dude and letting us interview ya. Please feel free to wrap this badboy up with some “El Beasto” parting words of wisdom as well as what we can expect from you and the Muir Skate crew in 2013 and beyond.
Muir Skate is coming strong in 2013. We have Derek Smith putting together new videos this year, and we are excited about that. We have a larger warehouse therefore you can expect to see more brands coming in all the time. We appreciate all the support our customers have given us over the year!
Hey yah! Skaters of all ages, please skate within your ability, wear your safety gear, and always trust your first instinct. It is usually the right one.
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