J. T. Aultz: "Justin Travis Aultz" - Heads - skateboarder - Brief Article - Interview

Thrasher Magazine, Jan, 2002 by Michael Burnett

Are people ever surprised to hear that you're from San Diego?

Yeah, kinda because of the whole Deluxe thing.

Is it difficult to be a Real-sponsored skater living in an Osiris-held stronghold?

Not really. I get a lot of shit sometimes. Deluxe, you know, they talk a bunch of shit.

Describe a time of great discomfort around Micke Reyes.

Maybe when I first met him. Just because of things I'd heard about him. On the first couple of trips went on I was expecting all this gnarly shit to happen. I was kind of intimidated.

Does the threat of. physical violence have anything to do with you staying on the team?

No. No way. I love it.

So you wouldn't take the punch to get on another team?

I don't want to get on another team, so I don't have to worry about it.

Did your resemblance to Max Schaaf have anything to do with your getting on Real?

I didn't know I had a resemblance.

You think they wanted a Street Schaaf?

Maybe. I don't think so.

Who should be Skater of the Year?

Rowley, but he won last year. Appleyard?

What ams should be pro?

It seems like everybody's pro now. Maybe Paul Rodriguez.

Does JT stand for Jamie Thomas?

No, Justin Travis, Some people call me Justin.

Does Willy Santos rule Poway?

No. No way. Maybe Penasquitos or Mira Mesa.

That's his turf?

Yeah. Not Poway.

Did you ever buy any of his used shoes when you were a kid?

No, but I bought some boards.

What does a used Santos deck go for?

It depends.

Let's say it's in good shape with a great sticker job.

Probably 10 or 15 bucks.

What would he sell used bearings for?

I don't know if he sells used bearings. He'd give you a deal.

Have you ever half-stepped in Claremont?

What's half-stepping?

Well, Smolik warned that if you come to Claremont, you'd better not be half-stepping.

What is it?

He said, if you come to Claremont, you'd better bust your best shit.

So is half-stepping bad?

Yeah.

Then, no, I hope not.

What's the worst skatepark in San Diego?

The worst one? Probably Vista. It's not that bad, but I hate it.

Are you down with Blink?

Blink 182? No.

Do you party with them?

No. Definitely not.

Do you ever skate with Sheffey?

No. I saw him at the Santee park once. He was skating. I think he was drunk. It was cool.

Can you skate drunk?

No. I don't drink.

Do you smoke cigs?

No.

Vegetarian?

No, I'm not a vegetarian. I might drink when I'm older, maybe. When I'm 40.

What's your least favorite kind of music?

Country. I can't stand country.

Even classic country like Merle Haggard?

I've never heard of that, but I'm not down for any of it.

What would you do if you met a nice girl and had a great time with her and then went back to her house and she had Limp Bizkit and Korn posters all over her room?

That might be a problem.

Who was the first person to have a pro model on Real?

I don't know.

Guess.

Gonz?

Nope. He was on Blind.

Huf?

No. This was 1990.

I have no idea.

It was Henry Sanchez. What would you do if you were drafted?

I've been thinking about that one a lot lately. I don't know.

Would you go to Canada?

Yeah.

Or you could chop one of your fingers off.

That will get you out of it? I'd do that then.

Rather than go to Canada?

Would they let me come back?

Probably.

Ok then. I'd got to Canada. Maybe Australia.

Would you rather go to war in Afghanistan or jump the Leap of Faith?

Jump the Leap of Faith.