Hello, Amelia here, Rudie's wife and school admin. I thought about writing about my husband in the third person, but who knows this guy better than me? So here's a short and sweet version of his story. He's not your average skateboard instructor – he's got an impressive 26 years of shredding experience under his belt (you know, with the exception for that 3 year paternity leave around 2017). The decision to open a skateboarding school came 2 years after a tough loss in 2020 when we lost my big brother, Chase. Chase was a skateboarder too, and two years after his passing, we realized we could carry on his legacy through our mutual love of skateboarding. That part of the story was in 2022, however, we need to take it back to 1982.
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Rudie was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and as a kid, he was into rocker-inspired threads, breakdancing, and channeling his inner Michael Jackson. Right around the time Rudie hit his late pre-teens and early teens, he had fallen into new habits of getting into trouble. This is Tijuana we're talking about, so "trouble" wasn't like skipping class and getting detention. No, Rudie was running drugs, packing heat, and dodging bullets all before even entering high school. I'm telling you all this because it sets the stage for what came next—how skateboarding turned his life around.
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At the age of 15, Rudie stepped on a skateboard for the first time and the two just clicked. He described it as "natural". Skateboarding wasn't just a hobby for Rudie; it quickly became his lifestyle. Instead of cruising down a risky path, he chose the board and never looked back. Skateboarding gave him a sense of purpose and kept him hungry for more.
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When Rudie made the move to Victorville, CA at 17, skateboarding remained his first love. He even admits it kept him from having girlfriends often in high school, because all he wanted to do was skate (there's some hopeful words for all of the mom's out there!) Adjusting to a new country without knowing the language was tough, but skateboarding helped him find his way. Rudie has mentioned that back then, Hispanic skateboarders were a rare breed, so speaking Spanish fluently wasn't an option. Rudie learned English (of course in school, but also by picking up skate lingo and chatting with buddies at the park.
After years of honing his skills, Rudie jumped into the skateboarding industry, working for Donny Dorman, the brains behind Pharmacy Boardshop. Working with Donny, Rudie saw how a small shop could evolve into a 10-store skateboarding empire. Donny's lessons on generosity and passion left a lasting impression on Rudie, shaping his view of the skate community.
Rudie's not just about shredding; he's on a mission to share the skateboarding love. He wants everyone to feel the same thrill and freedom he does on a board. As an instructor, he's all about sparking that same passion in others, leaving a lasting mark on the skate scene and our community.
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