Vanessa Torres

Thrasher Magazine, Jan, 2005 by Michael Burnett

That sounds like a girly way to steal a cart.

Well, Amy's a freak about her nails, so she always carries a file in her pocket.

A lot of girls have written in to the magazines over the years to tell how hard it is to be a girl skater. Is it hard?

Yeah. It's definitely hard. In order to get in the top mag you seriously have to do some shit. I'm all about it, but I get hurt a lot.

What's the worst slam you've ever taken?

I was skating this rail and I tried to backside lipslide it, and when I bailed out I kind of landed backwards and hit my head so hard. I was out for a couple seconds.

What's your pain threshold like?

It's good. I can take a good amount of pain.

I don't mean to get personal, but have you ever gotten clammed on a rail?

Yeah. I've gotten muffed and I've taken the board up the ass at the same time!

The clam/credit card combo?

Yeah. It sucked.

So you're pro now. How did that happen?

It's funny. I went to Australia and ended up going on tour with Element. So I stayed for a little while after that and I guess when they got back they were already working on my board. I didn't know, though. I guess they put it out in August, but I didn't see it until I got back and got a package. But I've been riding for Element for three years, from like one board a month to being pro.

So are you rich now?

I'm not rich, but I'm really good with my money ... except when I go out and drink.

What's the dumbest thing you've bought so far?

I bought a $600 digital camera. But when I get home, my mom is going to come down and we're going to shop for my house. I'm going to get a bed and a plasma TV.

Get a canopy bed!

I'm getting an orthopedic mattress.

You should get a diamond Globe necklace.

Nope.

You know how to get your Element board to fly off the shelves?

How?

Put the word Bam on it.

Ha-ha-ha! No!

Who's your best friend on the Element team?

Well, everyone gets along on the team. But I'd have to say my best friend on the team is Dewitt, my team manager.

Who's taller, you or Billy Pepper?

Oh God. Probably me.

Is there anyone on the Element team that you like more than a friend?

Fuck no! I've gotta keep it straight!

Do you get your own room on tour?

Yes! If not, I'm sleeping in the hallway.

So you're pro now, but have you ever been in a video?

No, but we're working on an Element video.

Finally! How's filming for a video compared to your old schedule?

It's good. I like it a lot, and I'm actually getting more into it and more motivated to skate harder. I just got off an East Coast tour and it went really well.

How long will you try a trick?

Until I land it. I won't give up. It's kind of harsh.

What's a trick you can't miss?

Backside lips, I guess.

Can you do them down rails?

I'm working on it. I'll call you soon and we'll shoot one.

What's a trick you'll never be able to do?

I've got a couple. Three-sixty flips down stairs and fakie frontside flips, but nollie.

Nollie backside kickflip?

Yeah. Those.

Are you one of those kids who have no idea what the names of any tricks are?

Yeah. I live in my own world.

Do you know the two girls who've had the cover of Thrasher?