Thanks to Zoe for sharing this great news about ten years of skate board label, Wight Trash and congratulations to John Cattle. Ed
John Cattle is this month celebrating ten years of his skateboarding company Wight Trash.
Based on the Isle of Wight, John has been fundamental in promoting the skating scene from sponsoring Island skaters, to fundraising for skate parks. He has been skating for well over 20 years, which has taken him all over the world and alongside some of the biggest names.
We catch up with him for a quick chat to see how he plans to mark the occasion.
Q: Congratulations on the anniversary of Wight Trash. What have been the highlights?
Witnessing some amazing skateboarding from locals and further afield. That’s what it’s always been about. There have also been some really great times, working on the fundraising for Ventnor Skate Park and having some crazy video experiences!
Q: How does it feel ten years on?
It feels like a weird achievement. It’s snuck up. I’ve just been living it, so time has really flown by.
Q: How have things changed over the years?
Generally back in the day people hated skaters. Back in school there was me and two others who skated, we were ridiculed. It’s much more socially acceptable now, which is great.
There are skate parks now; there wasn’t when I was younger, we had Golden Hill fort, which was a concrete nightmare and the mini ramp in Shide. Other than that we had to find spots to skate, and be inventive with it. You can actually get a girlfriend through skateboarding now, the kids today have got it easy!
Q: Has the scene lost something now it’s become more acceptable?
It was more of a statement back in the day; it was the punk era that was the soundtrack to what we were doing. We were tough back then.
When I was sponsored, I was still bunking trains to get to the competitions, hiding in the toilets, there seems to be more support for riders these days. Now it’s fashionable and there can be money it with big brands wanting to get in on the action.
Q: What did you want for Wight Trash when you started and have you achieved it yet?
I wanted to give people who weren’t necessarily in the main stream skate radar some exposure. I didn’t necessarily want the biggest or the best; I wanted the most creative people on board. That’s how I have seen my skateboarding and that’s who I wanted around me. I have achieved that and more, heroes form my childhood, like Alex Moul and Chris Markavich being guest riders, it’s awesome.
It all started with a team of friends who I pieced together like Greg Nowick, Flynn Trotman and Chris Atherton, they all had the same ethos. It’s been great hooking people up on the Island and giving them the kind of encouragement that wasn’t about when I was a young skater.
I was asked recently how long did it take for me to find out how little money small skate companies make, but I knew that before I started. Money is never my motivation – not the best business principle! If it makes me smile then I want to do it. It was always going to be an expensive hobby. If I thought about the money I would have never done any of the things I have done. Having fun is really what Wight Trash has always been about.
Q: Where did the name come from and what was the first board graphic like?
The name came from the term I’d use with my friends when we were kids. It alluded to the fact that the Island was ‘stuck back in time’, and had the reputation of being a bit ‘red neck’. That whole, ‘trailer trash’ lifestyle was something I wanted to celebrate, it was fun and carefree, and there was something about supporting the underdog, so Wight Trash just fitted.
The first board was a simple Wight Trash logo in a stencil font, designed by Andy ‘Zip’ Pritchard; we re-launched it at the end of last year in green.
Q: Do you see yourself selling up and and buying a trailer park then?
I don’t mind that idea – as long as it was a big park with friends/family/people I admire. A commune of idiots. It’d be awesome! Maybe it’ll happen one day!
Q: Looking back would you change anything about Wight Trash?
I don’t think I would change anything. It’s been a real education and a huge amount of fun. I have done a lot over the years, and in the early years I had no money to invest in it, so all the events, and films, competitions and craziness has been great, stuff has happened, really good stuff.
There’s been a lot of talk about a new Wight Trash film? Should we expect a new release?
Good question…something WILL happen this year. It’s been a long time coming…but it will come!
Q: Which pro skater dead/alive/in prison! Would you like to have on Wight Trash?
Without a doubt, Matt Hensley. He was such a huge influence on my skating in the late 80s, early 90s. He was the reason I wanted to try new tricks and progress my skating. I was lucky enough to stay with him out in America in the early 90s when he was at the pinnacle of his career. It was THE BEST time.
He’s who I want as my next guest rider. If that was to happen then I would have achieved everything I wanted with Wight Trash. I’d go into my old age a happy man.
Q: Every skater seems to have a Wight Trash sticker?
Yeah they are great, and a lot of them around! They are printed up by Don Brider, he has the patience of a saint, and manages to make something out of my incoherent wants and ramblings, coming up with the goods every time.
Don’s an inspiration, reading the magazines in the 80s, he was pushing what you could do on a skateboard. I’m really stoked he continues to be involved, he’s a British Legend.
Q: The David Icke graphic was inspired, has he seen it?
Yeah. Jon Honer came up with the graphic and we just knew we had to use it. Jon’s amazingly talented and a pleasure to work with. We showed David, he laughed and took some of the tee shirts.
Q: How do you still skate so much?
Stubbornness I guess. I’ve had plenty of injuries and been pieced back together but I won’t let it stop me. I still have the desire to go out and learn a new trick, knowing that, at my age, it may be the last trick I get to learn!
Q: What’s the most Wight Trash thing ever?
There’s a lot too rude and downright disgusting to mention, but the first skate festival we did ‘Firstival’ when we took over a holiday camp in Atherfield was pretty legendary. A load of misfits, playing music, skateboarding, camping together and having a great time. We made the owners cry, as we weren’t there usual type of guests!! Anyone that was there will remember it fondly!
Q: So what’s in store for the next ten years?
There’s some pretty cool stuff planned for this year and beyond, it’s the best stuff that’s happened with Wight Trash so far, from new boards and clothing to events. I’m lucky to have people who are still supporting and making things happen.
I’m working a lot on the skate schools, teaching skateboarding to a whole new generation, the Wight Trash of tomorrow.
To keep up to date with Wight Trash news follow on FB and Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/WightTrash
https://twitter.com/WightTrashWorld
Watch footage on YouTube
www.youtube.com/user/WightTrashFilms
Buy stuff at
www.Wight-Trash.com
