It’s not everyday that Flip makes additions to their already tight-knit roster. The truth is if you’re getting on Flip, you’re skating need to be beyond next level, amongst other things.
Flip’s newest Am, Matt Berger, possesses skills that are without a doubt, next level. We caught up with the Canadian ripper to talk about how he landed a spot on the Flip team, the Canada skate scene, upcoming plans and a bit more.
How did you find skateboarding? Well, my grandmother when I was 5 got me a Walmart board. Ever since I got the board that Christmas I’ve been skating since!
What part of Canada are you from? What’s the skate scene like there? I live in Kamloops, British Columbia. Our local scene is definitely not big. The city is small and the cold winters tend to keep people away from getting into skateboarding. But there is a scene here and the locals are constantly shredding.
Being a younger dude, did you look up to local Canadian skaters growing up? Who were some of your favorites? Haslam, Desarmo, Machnau, McCrank.
How did you get linked up with the Flip? I was in Washington DC this past summer at Maloof Money Cup and ended up chilling with Rowley. A couple weeks after the contest Geoff called me and offered me a spot on the team.
Were you nervous about rolling with the big dogs of Flip? Of course there’s going to be a bit of nerves when I meet everyone on the team, but I have met most of the riders, so not too nerve racking.
Who made the decision to get you fully on and how did Flip break the good news to you? Well after I met Geoff in Washington he had spoken about me to the team and then decided to make the call. Definitely glad I had my phone on me that day.
What did you do to celebrate your new spot on the team? Well I actually got on a couple days before my birthday. I guess you could call it a double celebration, but it was a rad night. Had a few drinks with the homies!
Who are some of your favorite guys from the Flip team? Well I haven’t met everyone on the team yet but they are all rad dudes, no favorites!
Flip’s team comes from all different parts of the world. As the only Canadian on the team, do you feel some pressure to represent your roots, or at least make Canada proud? Yeah it’s definitely a proud feeling. I wouldn’t necessarily call it pressure but I have a lot more motivation to skate harder!
What Flip board are you currently riding? I’m currently riding the 8.0 x 32 HKD Board.
What’s next for you, Matt? I got filming trips in the works. Between California and China I have a lot planned this winter! Super stoked to get away from the snow.
Any last words you’d like to end with? Sleep when you’re dead.
Photos by Jay Delaney, Courtesy of Flip.
Check Matt’s Welcome Clip.
iFrame Removed
Get the newest Flip product that Matt’s backin’ here at CCS.
