Today we’d like to introduce you to Quasar Marshall
Hi Quasar, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started skateboarding at the age of 9, my parents purchased me a skateboard from toys r us, it was a Superman deck and I loved it. I would skate every single day that summer, making sure I was on my board everyday until eventually my dad noticed how much I loved the sport. He later took me to one of the first skateparks I would learn to skate “Owl’s Head Skatepark” in Brooklyn. If you’re tapped in the skate scene in nyc, you’d know that Owl’s Head park isn’t for beginners. At the time, I had never skated a ramp before and after being told that we would leave the park and never return to another skatepark if we had come all this way for me not try, I decided even if I hurt myself, I was going to learn. Fast forward to me in high school learning to skate ramps and street obstacles at my local skatepark “LES” every morning before class. Skateboarding has always been a means of learning to control myself, and learning not to give up when things get tough.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing about being a skateboarder is smooth. Add to the mix that I’m a black skater and that takes on its on pre set struggles. Environment for example, as a black skateboarder growing up I didn’t really see many other black skateboarders. Skating through the hood, I’d hear people ask if I’m “trying to be Tony Hawk”. I struggled with being confident in my own abilities. I struggled with finding the balance between pushing myself to my limits and accepting whatever comes from doing so. This road continues to be one that isn’t for the faint of heart, you’ve got be a little crazy, you’ve got be delusional enough to know that you can do what you haven’t seen it yourself doing yet.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently I am social media manager, brand & marketing strategist for TrapboardingCollective. I record and edit 90% the video content, and I would say I’m most known for the ways I promote and highlight our skills. I’m highly influenced by the recording style of 90s skateboarding (fish eye, low angles) so I’ve mixed it dynamic movements that help the video to feel more immersive. I want the viewer to feel like they’re tagging along with us on every adventure. I’m most proud of distinctly differently our brand is from any other skate collective out there. From how we share our experiences to the filming of it all, the combination sets us drastically apart from others.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Mentors are vital and they usually present themselves when the student is ready. If anyone is looking for mentor I suggest conversing, asking thoughtful questions and genuinely listening to answers. Becoming comfortable speaking to strangers, learning how to comfortably communicate we’re all things that have worked for me. I was blessed enough to find organizations like the “Harold Hunter foundation” that seek to mentor and uplift young skateboarders from Brooklyn. I would suggest to anyone looking for a mentor to start discovering more about themselves first. Where do you wish to go and are you open to change are the first two prerequisite questions. Hope that helps.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trapboard_quasar/
Image Credits
Adison James
Shawn P Bruce
James Mooney
Lito Flannigan
