Mauricio Neira

After 18 years of street skating, I wanted to try something innovative and use my creativity to its full potential. I like thinking outside the box and freestyle is to me outside the norm of skateboarding. I’m self taught but Primo Desiderio, Diane Desiderio, and Rodney Mullen are my inspirations.

When I am not skating, which is pretty much all the time, I love practicing Brazilian Capoeira and Hip Hop break dancing because they also bring my creativity out. I also do Karate, Kickboxing, and love playing with my dog. I’ve played the guitar since I was little and grew up watching my dad play. Blues Rock, like Jimi Hendrix, is my favourite style of muisic, I also play the bongos and drums.

This will be my first time entering a Freestyle Contest. I’ve won 1st Place in Intermediate for Street in Miami, Florida at the Control Skatepark, won the Best Trick Contest in MIA Skatepark, and was sponsored by Blair Hess of BC Surf and Sport in Miami. I did these contests when I was 14 years old, but my real passion now is freestyle.