Contenders: Elijah Berle
Wallride. Photo: Sam Muller
Interview by Austin Mayer
Elijah Berle has managed, somehow, to become a man before the age of fifteen. No little-kid style here, just full-grown pop for full-sized spots. That always makes for a good Contenders.
Ollie. Photo: Bart Jones
I got a text from her saying, “There is something weird about you. Please don’t contact me ever again.
So what did you think of this year’s Crossroads?
I don't like those types of events. It’s like no one has time to talk to you. The conversations are always like, “Hey. What up?” “Nothing. How you been?” “Good.” “Okay, later.” The water gap event was cool, though.
I missed that day. Who was killing it?
My friend Tim [Williams] was shredding in every event, even the barrel jump, and that dude Frecks is awesome.
I heard Tim made some cash skating that thing. It was also his birthday. Didn’t you guys come back and party after?
[Laughing] Not really partied. Kinda like a barbequed with a couple friends at Tim's parent’s house. He lives in this shed in the back of his parent’s house. That’s where I stay when I come down to San Diego.
You guys take turns hooking up with girls in the shed? Do you think you’ve gotten more action than Tim in there?
No way. It’s usually when he goes to the bar or something then I can use it. It’s only gone down once.
Back lip. Photo: Sam Muller
When did you skip from kid to man? You completely missed the whole awkward teenage pimple years.
I don't know. I get one here and there.
You just started riding for Pacific Drive, right? What’s so sick about that shop that has everybody down to ride for them?
Their fuck-it attitude is sick. It is a real core skateshop that carries all the sick brands, and I don’t mind wasting the day lurking there.
180 fakie five-0. Photos: Sam Muller
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I know they carry a lot of brands that support you. Who would that be?
Foundation, Emerica, Altamont, Pig, and Pacific Drive.
You seem to be into older women. Tell me about the most recent one who might have suspected your real age and cut you off?
It’s not really that cool, but I was talking to this girl and it was going good and then one night I get a text from her saying, “There is something weird about you. Please don’t contact me ever again.”
How does a normal day of home school go versus real school?
Get up, get coffee, sit in my room and do work for like three hours. Versus waking up early, having to leave my house, and being late every day. Plus I don’t have to worry about any annoying teachers because I only have one.
When I first met you, you had the dirt bag steez going. Now you’re all cleaned up, haircut, nice clothes. What made you switch it up?
I still wear jeans and a T-shirt. All I did was cut my hair. Just getting it out of my face? No more beanies.
What’s the deal with calling me a pencil pusher for wanting to go to Subway? Describe a pencil pusher to me?
Someone who works an incredibly boring job. Most likely the person also exudes extreme boringness. Those people go to Subway.
You just got back from Ohio. How do the spots compare to LA?
I hate LA. I really like the Midwest. It’s mellower, for sure. The spots are amazing and endless. I can’t wait to get back out there.
Who did you stay with out there?
I stayed with my friend Andrew [Elliot]. It was funny because the only thing in his house is a bed, a fridge, and couch. He is the best person to skate with because he knows every spot ever and how to get to it, and he is pretty good at knowing what people would want to skate.
Let’s do the whole shout-outs thing. Who would you like to thank for keeping you on board?
I would like to thank Justin Regan, Jeff Henderson, Mike Sinclair, PD, Tim Williams, Andrew Elliot, Eric Wall, whoever has driven my ass around, Mom, Dad, and brother.
50-50 transfer. Photo: Sam Muller
10 months ago skatebored said:
Really incredible photographs. good job Sam!
10 months ago Adam L said:
hell yeah elijah! &nice photos sam
10 months ago mike said:
should have left that ugly Bart Jones photo out of this. everything else is dope!
10 months ago Brute Force said:
jah's on a one way train to hammerville. he's a force to be reckoned with
10 months ago yes said:
Mini Kirchart?
10 months ago burrr said:
leo jr jasssskeeeeeen
10 months ago steven s said:
so sick, good job elijah!
10 months ago Mickey said:
Hows bout ditching that sequence and tossing another Jart Bones photo up!
10 months ago Matt Williams said:
fuck yeah elijah. killin it man
10 months ago Dale said:
Rumpus time is over!
10 months ago victor zanoni said:
hell elijah, keep it up man.
10 months ago Garbutt said:
Elijah u left out the part about the cat and the pencil...
10 months ago beuke said:
total madness! this kid kills it! cant wait to see mag minute... I think the perfect SAM MULLER photos had a impact as well.. great photos dude.. go midwest Indianapolis fuckers!
10 months ago adrian adrid said:
the pictures are photoshopped
10 months ago skeey said:
wata beast
10 months ago baby gaga said:
180 switch crooks on that rail is so gnar
10 months ago alexM said:
fucking ill
10 months ago ian mac said:
who shot those shitty photos of the back lip and 50-50 transfer?
10 months ago not a jackass said:
you fucks wouldn't know a good picture if it slapped you in the face. bart jones' picture does suck. ever heard of composition, dude? you can't even tell what the fuck he's doing an ollie over. no shit they're photoshopped, they're called professional photographers for a reason.
10 months ago am a jackass said:
nevermind field
10 months ago Garbutt said:
You fucking marks need to hop off Bart's dick
9 months ago aPONTSSS said:
FUCKIN ROLL
9 months ago maxk said:
His brother goes to my school, he rips too.
9 months ago aehetheth said:
hes only 14?!!!!!!!!!
9 months ago travis said:
He is too young to drink coffee. But he does sweet grinds. Coffee joke there: grinds, like grind coffee, aka coffee grounds. You'll all understand when you get older.
8 months ago boobie said:
he is 18 not 14 where did u here that
7 months ago kingmazto said:
Old age has a great sense of calm and freedom. When the passions have relaxed their hold and have escaped, not from one master, but from many.
Quotation of Plato
5 months ago joey said:
i like how u said to get the ugly bart jones photo out of there when he is one of the best skate potographers around. fuck you!
5 months ago joey said:
bart jones rules! dont hate on his photos