THE NDN

Didn't stray too far from home with this week's NDN Insight.

Phil Davidson!



1. What does The NDN mean to you?

The NDN to me is the best group of friends a guy can have and some of the best, most funny times of my life! Along with the filming, editing and the great pursuit of clips.

2. When and how did you get into blading?

I started blading when I was 10 years old. My cousin gave me a pair of walmart blades so I started going to Rhodes and learned to drop in. I really enjoyed it so my grandma got me a pair of RB Suedes. I've always stuck with blading...it's my life and I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing.

3.You took the gnarliest most disgusting fall I've ever seen. What was up with that?

I remember skating up to the rail and jumping to backslide...then waking up in the hospital more fucked up than that favorite uncle in my family. I got the spins from all the morphine so I told the doctor I was doing a 900. He looked at my mom and asked her if that was some kind of drug haha. She explained that it was a blading trick. I told myself over and over that I wasn't ever going to be able to blade again. When I looked back at the clip I was shocked that I lost that much blood and still live to tell the story. I'm truely grateful for the friends I had with me that day and for Erik not throwing up and blacking out from all the blood. I had to wear an eye patch for three months. You don't know what you have until you've lost it. After going to hell and back I got back on the blades with more passion and motivation than ever.



Phil's personalized cookie at the Boise 'I Was A Cloud' premiere.


4. What's it like being a father?

Being a father is kinda' like landing a rail for the first time. You're proud and have a sense of accomplishment but don't know what to do in a way. Every day when you wake to see they've learned something new is amazingly beautiful.



Phil's daughter...with an NDN sticker on her forehead.

5. Who are 3 of your favorite bladers to watch at the time being?

I would have to say Shima, Stockwell and Farmer. Just 'cause they always push the sport to new levels.

6. If you aren't out booting, what are you up to?

If I am not booting there are 3 things I do: work, watch my baby girl Kairi, and kick some ass in Phantasy Star Portable 2.



Phil and his blade.

7. Which section/tricks are you most looking forward to in Dayshapes?

Damn, that's a hard question. You're really putting me in the hot seat here...
I guess it would have to be Nick Swan. It's his first NDN section plus his style/trick vocabulary is unique and smooth.

8. You get distracted easily by cars, bystanders, Corey, etc....How do you make yourself get over those things?

My mind wanders way too easily. I try to stay focused and block the shit out but sometimes it can be a real challenge. The best way I get through it is to tell Corey, my mind, the weirdo's with their kids running around screaming, and any other crazy stuff going on around me to sssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! for 2 seconds. If I don't land it...gotta' do it all over again.

9. I really like the story about when you first met Erik Bailey, care to share?

Haha ok. So, I was 10 and had just gotten into blading. One day I'm down at rhodes and Mr. Bailey shows up with Eli Dorsey. I went up to Bailey and asked for his autograph. He wrote 'vagina' and told me to go show it to my mom. I'm pretty sure he doesn't remember it but it's a good laugh now because I skate with him frequently.

10. Explain the ideal session to Fetus Phil.

Rhodes with my homies. Learning new tricks and switches is the best.

Phil Davidson - NDN Insight from erik bill on Vimeo.