From my point of view the scene in Poland was bigger back in the day – more people, more street contests, but whats more important there were more really good skaters. Before Hedonskate we didn`t have access to latest gear, clothing  only K2 or Roces…I was saving a year to buy some USDs – I ordered them but the customs were added and as a result I bought my first pair of Psirus skates for the price that I could have five pairs of brand new 5th Elements. It was hard but nobody was complaining like today, the approach to skating was different. Most of the guys quit due to work, career etc. The scene is smaller now but it’s very tight, there are not many newcomers, yet I can see that people start to buy skates again, and what’s more  older generations slowly get back to blading.

New Rokoko from sadi on Vimeo.

(here is an old video from the heyday of the Polish Scene, some ruthless skating in here!)

Why do you skate the way you do? Does this question even make sense? (I sometimes wonder)

hehe, I think that everybody get mature with their skating somehow, which means to get through every stage. It`s the same with me, my approach is constantly changing. Right now I like to search strange, creative spots. It`s the worst to stick with one thing, and skate the same rail everyday for the new trick.

Is rollerblading a ‘lifestyle’ for you? If so, what does that statement mean to you?

Of course it is! I have been skating through half of my life and they always come first. I wouldn’t change all the faces I met, all the places I visited and all situations I`ve been into for anything else.

Does it bother you that Poland has had a strong skate scene for a long time but it remains (at least from my perspective) relatively unknown?

Unfortunately Poland is not US, but I skate for myself with my homies and it’s enough. But with the help of Hedonskate everything is growing each year, Poland is promoted in every possible way. Now we have inmag.info which is visited by more and more people from all over the world.

What do you do when you are not skating?

I work, study and get shit done. Besides skating I like to chill with my crew, drink some beer or just get into some good reading.

Would you describe your passion for rollerblading as something that keeps your life from moving forward? In terms of getting a job and being an ‘adult’? Is this good or bad?

Yes and no. In case of rollerblading for sure yes, but as far as life is concerned I would say no – I have friends who goes to work everyday wearing a suit and keep asking me – ‘you are still skating?grow up man’ but I always say the same – Yes I skate and I will keep doing it, the time for everything will eventually come, no hurry. I keep doing what I love to do. I don’t have a need for serious job or anything like that, I just want to skate as long as I can – it keeps me true to myself  and I’m happy with it. In the other hand the time flows so fast, each year is more difficult to keep up with the passion.

What is the hedonskate thing all about?

Definitely the best skateshop in Europe, run only by the skaters with true passion and not by businessmen. Guys know what’s up! It’s my main sponsor, which helps me with everything. Hedonskate promotes Polish scene hard and supports everyone one here who deserves it.

Who are you currently riding for? And whats up with your new clothing brand?

Right now I ride for Hedonskate, TheConference as well as my own brand Hive. It is my old project revived by me and my friend Krzysztof Dziuba. We make cool rock`n`roll style clothes, we have the ideas yet we don`t have enough funds yet to get reallly into it. First line is available now, with the second in the works. Like with everything at the beginning it`s not easy, but I`m sure we will get somewhere with out hard work – right now we are filming for second DVD, you can check the daily updates on our blog –  http://www.thehive.ownlog.com/ , site – www.thehiveclothing.eu and facebook. Clothes can be bought at hedonskate.com.

What are some of the cultural attractions of visiting Poland? And how would you describe the women there, I have been told all polish women are gorgeous … are they also friendly?

I live in cracov, and from the tourists point of view it`s perfect place to start visit in Poland – low prices, old city, beautiful women who are very friendly most of the time. I warmly invite everybody to come here.

As far as poles are concerned – life can be hard. it`s simple – prices are high and earnings are low. For the lowest standard salary  you can afford a pair of skates but nothing else.. but complaining doesn`t make sense – its Poland so i get over it.

Do you have any ‘goals’ in rollerblading? Have you already achieved them? Do you think its rad that the majority of us destroy our bodies for free and for the ‘love’ or is it more of a bummer that we can’t make a living like skateboarders are right now?

I can tell that when I started my main aim was to grind a rail and I finally did it I don`t have particular golas to achieve, I just skate and take what the day brings. For this year I`m planning to film two profiles (one for hive 2), and I have a 2 months to finish the first one. As far as the injuries and stuff, we all know how our industry looks like, if you want to make a living through some sport, quit skating today and find something else.

Shout outs?

Thanks to all my sponsors: hedonskate, Theconference, Hive, my family,you for this interwiev and to all people that helped me through my life.

Greets for hedonskate working crew, hive crew, 034, JJ,  all my rollerblading  nad non-rollerblading friends and everybody that I forgot.

Thanks

photos by kuba urbanczyk and piotr głodzik

Mateusz Kowalski -Not for Sissies-new hedonskate dvd 09-sneak peak from Mateusz Kowalski on Vimeo.

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