James Craig is probably Liberty Boardshop’s longest tenured team rider. Not too long ago James broke his arm and instead of dwelling on the tragedy of not being able to skate while he was injured, he came and worked with us at the Liberty Boardshop HQ. It’s almost as if James hasn’t missed a beat since being injured. The Blind Video just dropped and he’s been filming ever since – logging clips and making Liberty an all around better place.

We caught up with James since it was right down the hall and asked him some questions.

Check out James Craig’s section of the Free Press  – The Cliff’s Notes Blog.

How’s the arm?

The arm is feeling really good! No pain really at all

For those that don’t know what happened to it?

Well I shattered my Humerus bone or the upper part of the arm, then re-broke one of the fractures 3 months after.

How do you feel now that the Blind Video is out?

I feel good but just wish I could have been able to film for the last 11 months. It always feels good after a part drops, like a lot of weight of the shoulders and kinda refreshed to learn new shit.

Have you been skating a lot since the video premiere?

Yeah I have a few times with Ronnie, that dude is on fire. I have even learned a few new moves. I guess you can teach an old T-dog some new tricks.

So what’s it like to be managing 2 careers? You’ve taken on a pretty solid position with the Boardshop and you also have your Pro Skateboarder responsibilities – is that difficult to manage?

Well I’m really just about to find out cause the skate career was on pause cause of the arm and working at Liberty is fun for me… I think if I just maintain focus on what needs to be done and do it – I should be fine – just a little more stressed. Also, the pro skate career is not going to last forever. Sometimes you gotta keep looking for what’s next.

It seems like that doesn’t happen till it’s pretty late in the game for a lot of people. Is this something that’s always been in the back of your mind?

Well I love skateboarding and have been fortunate to be around almost every side of it and have always thought I would want to work in skateboarding after the pro chapter is closed. I have also had the understanding that kids are just too fucking good and to think a young buck could be right there and ready to fill the spot of an over the hill pro. I’m not saying I’m over the hill cause I’m like a fine wine yo! But, yeah man, kids are just so good these days and younger than ever.

A fine wine indeed. What’s you take on where skateboarding is right now?

Well it’s pretty big and I don’t see it ever being as small as it was in the early 90′s. We are accepted as a sport now, when before we were weirdos. Skating is going through a cleaning of sorts right now and I think it’s good cause whoever is left will have a good market to supply because people are still buying skateboards.

That’s an interesting comment – what do you think fuels that change – the cleansing?

Well it’s a product of an over-saturated market combined with the contraction of the economy which have made for a doozy of a shit cocktail. Greed is thrown into all of that and it becomes a big dick contest but really it’s part of the natural cycle of ups and downs in the industry. Skateboarding has seen this a few times during it’s years. It seems like somehow, someway it always happens.

Even if we are getting air time on ABC, ESPN and NBC we still have pro’s making peanuts and others rolling Aston Martin’s.

You’ve had a long career when a lot of other people have came and went. What’s the secret?

(Laughs) … uummm…. don’t give up even when they try to bring you down. (Laughs) no I don’t know. I have been fortunate to have Blind have my back through a bunch of injuries and shit and also having friends who always skate and film with – Jub Jub!

What sort of advice do you have for all the young and hungry rippers out there?

Kids, remember that skateboarding is fun first and if you want to make it as a pro/am never give up and be realistic. There is a huge talent pool so don’t be discouraged and keep given er’ !