The Friday Interview – Catching Up With Dakota Roche
Dakota Roche had a busy summer, and it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down anytime soon. We caught up with him to see what he’s been up to and talk about things like getting tattoos, X Games, filming for the Cult DVD, being on TV with Andrew W.K., and more…
How’d the summer treat you this year?
Super fun summer…filmed for “Talk is ¢heap” a bunch, got quite a few surf sessions in, X Games, 6.0 HB Pro, Cult/Federal UK tour, and a bunch of other rad stuff. Great summer for sure!
A while back we got a press release about you being on a show with Chris Cole hosted by Andrew W.K., but we never saw the actual episode. I had never heard of the show (Destroy Build Destroy), so I looked up the trailer for it, and it looks pretty wild. What was that experience like? And how was it hanging out with Andrew W. K.?
Dude, I actually haven’t seen the episode either, haha. A couple of friends and family members saw it though. Filming for the show was tight—always stoked to hang with Cole, and all the kids were rad. definitely a sweet concept for a show. Andrew W.K. is a wild man, but was super cool. Only thing that sucked was our team lost. Sorry guys!
No-handed 270 - Photo by Jeff Z.
Let’s talk about X Games a bit…Did you ever think growing up watching X Games that you’d have a medal of your own some day?
Nah, I’m still tripping out over it.
Do you enjoy riding contests like that? What is the best and worst part of it?
Yeah, for the most part I enjoy it. I definitely get a bit nervous, but that’s not really a bad thing. I think the best part is just getting to kick it with all my friends that I don’t get to see too often. Practice just feels like a fun session with the homies. The worst part is all the hecticness that surrounds the whole contest scene.
Are you willing to say which riders you voted for in this year’s NORA Cup Awards?
Absolutely…
Street: Nathan Williams
Ramp: Dennis Enarson
Dirt: Chase Hawk
Video Part: Sean Burns, “Anthem 2″
Video: “Anthem 2″
I don’t even feel like I need to explain my choices to be honest. I doubt anybody would disagree that the above mentioned all killed it this year and always do.
Photo by Fat.
Right now you have a signature seat and signature grips from Cult…Can you explain what went into designing those products?
The process is easy. I have an idea for something, I discuss it with Neal Wood and Robbie at Cult or vice-versa, then the rest is history. I trust Neal 100 percent on design stuff because I’ve been working with him for a long time and he always kills it. He knows how important input from the riders is and I know how important his knowledge of design is. It’s a perfect situation.
Are there any other signature parts in the works right now?
Definitely talks about some stuff in the near future…
Speaking of Cult, how’s filming for “Talk is ¢heap” going?
It’s going well. So stoked on everybody’s stuff so far. Alex Kennedy is in Cali right now staying with me and we’ve been going out filming every day. The tricks he’s been getting are seriously ridiculous. It’s been keeping me so motivated. I love it. We’re taking off to Philly next week to stay with Navaz for a while and just keep the pace going. Looking forward to some more good times with the crew as filming continues.
Didn’t you get a “Talk is ¢heap” tattoo?
Yeah, I got it on the last day of a filming trip in Philly a few months back. I just feel like we’re all working so hard on this project and the vibes have been so good that it only made sense. These are gonna be some of the best memories of my life, so it was an easy decision.
Any plans for more ink in the future?
Yep, hopefully getting some more ink next week. Got a couple cool ideas.
270 Bars at X Games - Photo by Fat.
Describe your typical day if you are at home and want to go ride with the homies…
Wake up around nine, do some e-mails and whatnot. Wake up Codey with some funny music like The Beets, “Killer Tofu” or something. Grab coffee; meet up with Camden, David, and Eric L.; hit Centennial or Liberty skatepark. Eat lunch then spend two hours trying to think of a spot we can hit that isn’t a bust. End up at one of three spots in HB, then sometimes hit an evening surf session. Dinner after that, then just chill all night watching “Dog the Bounty Hunter” and laughing at a bunch of nonsense.
Do you have spots near you that you hit up for daily sessions, or do you always explore new areas and go to different spots?
Yeah, there’s spots around me we’ll hit on the regs, but when I’m solo, I’m always driving around new areas looking for spots. I’ll spend five or more hours a day in my car sometimes just exploring and listening to music. I love it…Especially when I come up on a fresh spot.
Wallride to no-hander - Photo by Jeff Z.
Besides your section for the next Cult DVD, are you currently filming for anything else?
Yep, yep. Working on a little Cinema joint. Not sure when it will be done yet, but we’ll keep you posted.
Give us a good story from your last trip.
I was driving home from Vegas last week after NORA and I pulled over to the side of the road to pee real quick…I locked myself out in the process with my wallet and phone in the car and the AC blasting. Had to walk to the service station and call a tow truck to get the whip open. One hundred and two dollars later I have a funny story. Vegas will do it to ya…
Tooth hanger - Photo by Jeff Z.
