Leo Romero

Leo Romero (born November 28, 1986^[1]) is a professional skateboarder whose early skateboarding influences included Jamie Thomas^[2] and Andrew Reynolds.^[3]

Early life

Romero was born in Fontana, California, United States (U.S.)^[4][5] and is the son of Mexican American immigrant parents. Romero first started skating around 1997 with his friendship crew "The Death Junkies".^[3] Romero revealed in a 2009 interview that he "was ditching school and skating with" friends during his adolescence, while in a 2010 interview he explained that when he was growing up he knew what he wanted and did not let other people bother him.^[2][4]

Professional skateboarding

Romero has credited his sponsor the Pharmacy skateboard shop ("The craziest family I've ever had ...") with facilitating his departure from his hometown for the purpose of commencing a skateboarding career. Conversely, Romero's father has believed that "he [Romero's father]’s the reason why I made it so far"—that "he’s the one who gave me all the inspiration behind my career" but Romero believes that his father is mistaken.^[2][4] Romero has ridden the same skateboard deck shape for nearly a decade and the original board shape was provided by the Pharmacy shop.^[6]

Romero appeared in the Foundation videos Madness & Mayhem (2002) and That's Life (2004).^[7]

As an Emerica team rider, Romero lived at the "Emerica Mansion II" with professional skateboarders Heath Kirchart, Kevin "Spanky" Long, and Bryan Herman.^[8] In May 2013, the Romero signature shoe model "The Troubadour" was released, and Romero explained that the shoe design was based on footwear that could be for both skateboarding and fashion.^[9]

Romero became a professional team rider for Baker Skateboards, a company that was founded and is owned by one of his childhood skateboarding influences Reynolds—in a 2010 interview Romero explained that his motivation for joining the team was based on his perception that Baker was "cool".^[2] Romero appeared in the Baker video production Baker Has A Deathwish (2008) that is a collaboration with "sister" brand Deathwish (as of May 2013, both companies are distributed by Bakerboys Distribution^[10]).^[7]

In 2009 Romero left Baker to join the Toy Machine company^[4] and explained in a 2010 Thrasher magazine interview that "I just don’t think I fit in with that crowd. It’s not really my bag." Romero revealed to Mike Sinclair, a senior employee of Tum Yeto (distribution company for both Foundation and Toy Machine), that Toy Machine is "100% skateboarding".^[2][6] Toy Machine and Emerica have collaborated on a Romero signature shoe line with Toy Machine founder/owner Ed Templeton, who is also sponsored by Emerica.^[11]

Together with friend Griffin Collins, Romero launched the skateboard griptape company Bro Style in 2012.^[12] While primarily a griptape company, thebrand also produces soft goods such as caps, socks, and shirts.^[13] Bro Style has released video advertisements on the Internet that feature sponsored riders such as Matt Bennett, Dakota Servold, and Daniel Lutheran.^[14]

Awards

Romero won Thrasher Magazine's annual "Skater of the Year" award in 2010.^[15] As part of the award ceremony, Romero performed karaoke for the audience.^[16]

Sponsors

• Emerica^[17]
• Toy Machine^[18]
• Pharmacy^[18]
• Eswic^[17]
• Independent Truck Company^[19]
• Pig Wheels^[20]
• Neff^[21]
• Bro Style^[12]

Personal life

Romero resides in California, U.S. in a "mock Spanish castle" property and owns a Harley Davidson motorcycle that he has ridden as part of the Emerica skateboarding tour "Wild Ride".^[6][22][23] Romero explained his life outside of skateboarding in a 2009 interview: "I’m a pretty simple guy. Not too much shit bothers me but I hate going to overcrowded bars and they’re overcharging you for beer. I hate that. The same things as everybody else I think: Playing guitar, listening to music, barbecuing on a summer day, finishing up some cold ones, fucking girls."^[15]

Videography

• Emerica: Made (2013)
• Thrasher: King Of The Road 2012 (2013)
• Toy Machine: The Subhumans (2011)
• Toy Machine: Brainwash. (2010)
• Emerica: Stay Gold (2010)
• RVCA: Dick Moves (2010)
• RVCA: Promo (2009)
• Transworld: Skate & Create (2008)
• Baker: Baker has a Deathwish (2008)
• Emerica: Wild Ride 2007 (2007)
• Streets: LA (2007)
• 411VM: Volume 3, Issue 4 (April 2006) – shared part with Tommy Gurrola^[24]
• Foundation: Gareth Stehr's Go-Go Toe Jam (2006)
• Thrasher: King Of The Road 2006 (2006)
• Transworld: First Love (2005)
• Foundation: European Tour (2005)
• 411VM: Volume 13, Issue 4 (2005)
• V7: Teenage Tour (2004)
• Foundation: That's Life (2004)
• Emerica: Kids In Emerica (2004)
• Emerica: This is Skateboarding (2003)
• Pharmacy: Chilly (2003)
• Digital: Fajsha (2003)
• Foundation: Madness & Mayhem (2002)^[25]

References

External links

• Bro Style