Chainsaws and Jelly: Polite Conversations

Bluntside. Photo: Jon Glass

Hi Willy. Greetings from NJ. Can you tell me a little bit about Willy's Workshop?

What's good NJ? Willys Workshop... Actually this past Friday, July 17th was the 9 year anniversary for the Rancho Penasquitos location. Our Mira Mesa location has been around for 2 years now. My younger brother Wilfredo, Jr aka Mr. Mira Mesa. That's where I grew up skateboarding "Fresh off the boat" from the Philippines. Actually we arrived on a plane. It's amazing how time sure does fly. I've always wanted to be in some kind of business growing up. So, it seemed pretty natural to do a skateboard shop. Thanks to my loving wife Shalihe, my family, friends, employees & those that support the shop. I really appreciate it. It's been a journey. Growing up I've always appreciated the skate-shops that gave back & helped me. I hope to do the same with other skaters, the community & my shop team.

TransWorld Japan, June 2009.

What's an average day like in Willy Santos' life?

An average day for me usually is...

Wake up between the hours of 6am- 8am because that's when my son Willy, Jr is eager to play. We usually watch Sesame Street or I'll read to him. Sometimes I'll take him in a stroller & will go to the park or walk some trails around our neighborhood. Maybe once or twice a week I'll put sometime at the shop. In Between all that I'm just skating street spots, skate-parks, searching for new spots to skate & going on photo shoots & getting some footage so I'm ready for whatever project comes up. Last month I was in Japan with Dayne Brummet getting some editorial stuff for TransWorld Japan. I love Japan. Pretty much when I'm not skating I'm chillin' with my family.

What drew you to skateboarding? How long have you been skating?

The thing that drew me to skateboarding is that it's spontaneous. You can pretty much skate anywhere as long as you've got pavement. Skate & create. I never got bored of it. There's always something new to learn or re-learn. I've been skating for 21 years.

Feeble. Photo: Jon Glass

Was it hard to get sponsored? To a young skater looking for exposure, what kind of advice would you tell them?

Well my 1st sponsor was a skate-shop at that time the shop heard of me by word of mouth. My 1st real sponsor was G & S (Gordan & Smith) My friend & I got some footage together in about a 2-3 week span & I sent the footage to G & S. About a week or so later I got a call from the team manager & he wanted to go skating with me. So, I guess you can say it was like a try-out & I made the cut. Basically with some hard work & dedication it's possible but no matter what the most important thing I would say is have fun & skate with friends that are positively motivating so you push each other.

Favorite Filipino dish:

Hands down my moms Chicken Adobo. She puts the right amount of garlic & I got to have those onions.

B/S Smith. Photo: Joel Montecalvo

What current projects do you have for 2009/2010?

My projects for 2009/2020 is to continuing to skating get some coverage in the skateboarding magazines, pile-up footage skate around the world & be with my family. Also I hope to get Willys Workshop going in the Philippines in the near future.

Favorite trick:

Any trick that I land. I'm happy with.