matt neufeld
Born and raised in Calgary AB. I grew up skateboarding and received my first “real” skateboard at my fifth birthday (a Powell fishtail with the super gnarly plastic slide guards to protect the mint graphic). I was into all board sports growing up, but it wasn't until I was about 18 that I bought a longboard. As soon as I bought it, we instantly went to the closest hill and started carving around the community. After a few minutes of carving down hills, rolling over chunder, and laughing with friends, I was hooked.
I love to ride because there is always something new to learn and do that will keep you stoked. Skating never gets old. Every time you step on a board there are new things to do, new places to go, and new tricks to try out. Each time I go out skating with friends, even for a quick push, it seems like an adventure. I love the feeling of cruising around, making the world your play ground, and having a time with friends. I love the community that surrounds longboarding and all the beautiful people that make it so gnar. Finally, I love to watch where longboarding is going. People all over continue to push the sport and make you question what is and what isn't possible on a daily basis. That kind of stoke is rare to find in the world and is one of the main reasons why I love to ride.
Why PARKtek boards? I make them duhh.... haha. The real truth is that these boards are made by riders, for riders. We have spent almost a decade building boards, seeing what works and what doesn't, and we continue to try to make better boards every day. By working with individual riders we have been able to produce shapes, and concaves that no one else has. Not only that, but we have, in my opinion, some of the best graphics out there - created in collaboration with our riders, and local artists. So not only do you get a unique board that has been tested to perform, you look damn cool while you are doing it.
My favorite part about the company stems from one of our main rules at PARKtek E.L.E. - Everybody Love Everybody. I am lucky to be surrounded by a group of friends at PARKtek. We have fun. It’s as simple as that. Whether out at an event or just hanging out at the shop the stoke is always high, and there are always good laughs to be had.
My favourite board is the skate deck that we produce. It's not 'technically' a longboard, but I would 'technically' be lying if I didn’t say it was my favourite. I love the versatility that I get from the board. It is great for weaving through traffic and dodging people while on the move and it is small enough that you can take it anywhere without too much problem. Kicktails for me always equal a good time, the board has great pop, and being Canadian Rock Maple it is super durable. The skate deck is the one board that truly allows me to Make Gnarly Normal, even if it's only a short push to the store.
I’m stoked for what the future holds not only for PARKtek, but for longboarding as a whole. I love to see the continued progression that is happening every day with the sport, and I'm stoked on the creativity that I see out there. I’m very excited to see the sport grow and get the recognition that it deserves - a sport made up of athletes, who send it harder than most people even dream of doing. I'm excited for the day when longboard parks are abundant and closed road events are more common so we can really see what the limits are. Make Gnarly Normal.