I decided I would pursue it as a career once I figured out ways to make money beyond competition prize purses. Which, for me, was social media and marketing related work around my sport.
My name is Adrien Raza, 25 years old and a 4-times European champion skimboarder. I started skimboarding at the age of 12, which was a completely random encounter with the sport. I quickly got hooked to it after looking at what the professionals were doing and decided to pursue it at 100%.
Back in the day, there was a tight-knit community in the Netherlands, so I quickly got under the wing of top guys in the scene. They really helped me out at the start! I loved creating content, so I would film every single skimboard session and make a video out of it.
Looking back at my riding and reflecting on my moves really helped me progress. I started competing on a national level, then moved on to an international level. The rest was history!
2. How did you decide to make your passion your career? Was your family supportive?
Skimboarding is still a very niche sport. It's almost impossible to make a full living out of it. It only crossed my mind in the last 1-2 years that I could sustain myself doing what I love.
2. How did you decide to make your passion your career? Was your family supportive?
Skimboarding is still a very niche sport. It's almost impossible to make a full living out of it. It only crossed my mind in the last 1-2 years that I could sustain myself doing what I love.
I decided I would pursue it as a career once I figured out ways to make money beyond competition prize purses. Which, for me, was social media and marketing related work around my sport.
My family was very supportive of everything I did! When I was younger, they would take me to competitions and spots throughout the summer. Definitely wouldn't be where I am without mum and dad!
3. Who is your favourite player and what have you learnt from him/her?
I don't have a specific favourite rider. In general, the most influential players were the Dutch skimboard OG's. They are the ones that introduced me to 'real' skimboarding and paved the way for me! Forever grateful to all those guys!
4. What is the level of commitment and time required to make a sport a career?
Probably more than many other sports! Skimboarding is not an established sport where there is a format to follow to make a living out of it. Everyone that's making money from it paved their own way and found ways to maximise their income.
3. Who is your favourite player and what have you learnt from him/her?
I don't have a specific favourite rider. In general, the most influential players were the Dutch skimboard OG's. They are the ones that introduced me to 'real' skimboarding and paved the way for me! Forever grateful to all those guys!
4. What is the level of commitment and time required to make a sport a career?
Probably more than many other sports! Skimboarding is not an established sport where there is a format to follow to make a living out of it. Everyone that's making money from it paved their own way and found ways to maximise their income.
Beyond commitment, it takes other skills beyond riding ability to make it happen. It's not easy, but it can definitely work!
5. How can we encourage more youngsters to take up sports as a full-time profession?
Firstly don't give up on education. It's very important to have a back-up plan, in case it doesn't work out as planned. I studied marketing at university and use these skills on a daily basis in my career as a 'pro skimboarder'.
5. How can we encourage more youngsters to take up sports as a full-time profession?
Firstly don't give up on education. It's very important to have a back-up plan, in case it doesn't work out as planned. I studied marketing at university and use these skills on a daily basis in my career as a 'pro skimboarder'.
Don't stop having fun! It takes thousands of hours to get good at a sport. If you dedicate the same amount of time to a 'traditional job', you'll likely have a far more lucrative job in the end. So make sure you're loving the process!
- Adrien Raza (Skimboarder)
Youtube: Adrien Raza
Interviewed By Khushi Garg
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