Ryan Vitale: “The Deer Whisperer” Exclusive Interview
Many of you have already seen the pics and video of Salt Lake City shredder Ryan Vitale colliding with a deer at this year’s Buffalo Bill downhill skateboarding race, but what you haven’t seen yet is a skater-to-skater interview with Ryan discussing what actually happened that fated day when dude met deer. Anyway, we have that interview—it’s real serious, so be prepared. Enjoy!
Okay, so who are you, how long have you been riding long skateboards down hills, and why did you maliciously tackle a helpless deer at the Buffalo Bill race?
My name Is Ryan Vitale, I am 17 years old and live in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I have been riding for a little less than 2 years now. Man, that deer hopped out of nowhere! Pretty cool I guess—ha ha!
Is it true that the deer peed and pooped on you when you tacked it?
I don’t believe that the deer peed or pooped on me when I tackled it.
We also heard from a very credible source that you whispered sweet-nothings into the deer’s ear as you rode her to the edge of the road. Anyway, we know that much is true, but what exactly did you say? “I love your eyes” or “on Prancer” —something like that?
Fuck out the way! Ha ha!
All kidding and Tomfoolery aside, please give us a play-by-play of what actually happened and what was going though your mind when you maliciously beat-down that helpless baby deer—the before, the actual encounter, and the aftermath?
I pretty much thought holy shit, there is a deer in the road don’t hit me. From then on I don’t remember.
Anyway, the plan was to film a run with all the SL,UTs (the crew from Salt Lake), and get some cool footage. I just remember being in the middle of the pack, and seeing everybody standing up. I then saw the deer in the road and thought I was going to fly past it without hitting it, but something scared it and it ran into me. I just remember saying shit I’m gonna hit a deer, then I don’t remember actually hitting or tackling it or anything. I remember after the fall I was laying on a deer and got up super fast just trying to make sure I was good. I got up, walked up the hill, and lied down. Then, the medics looked at me. That’s pretty much what happened. I’m super lucky to have not gotten hurt.
If you could go back to Lookout Mountain Road this very minute and talk to that deer face to face—maybe tell it you were sorry for breaking it off—what would you say? Five word maximum please.
Sorry for tackling you?
Great answer. Anyway, our sources tell us that you were having some serious troubles scoring chicks before this incident, but that now you are hyping babes left and right. How many dates have you been on since you took down the fated beast in Colorado?
Ha ha! Those sources are false, I have always had chicks on me. No, this incident hasn’t really gotten me any chicks, just a lot of jokes about deer and shit.
Fair enough. Well, thanks for being such a good sport—any parting words or shout-outs before we roll?
Yeah, thanks Wheelbase Magazine for the interview. Thanks Astroslide Pucks, Justin Dubois for holding a sick race, and for all the skaters out there. Also, Mike Paproski for filming.
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Category: Features, Interviews
Yeah buddy… sick one!
Thanks. Good seeing ya at Bonellie, if only for a sec. Stay Rad!