His killer hardflip and jaw dropping moves have earned him the respect of the skateboarding industry. His good looks and style have won him the hearts and minds of the ladies. Ben, AKA England’s finest, has relocated to LA where he is making the transition to pro appear effortless.
Ben Nordberg’s formative years, where did you grow up and were you always fearless as a child?
I grew up in a small city in England called Bath. I think everyone is fearless when they’re young, because they don’t know any better. As you grow up, certain things can become scary because they might have consequences to the people around you, your lifestyle and work
How old where you when you got your first skateboard?
I think I was 11, maybe 12.
Who has influences you when it comes to skating?
Stefan Janoski was a big influence to me and also John Cardiel.
What do you feel has been the most defining moment in your career so far?
Hard to say, I think a lot of things have been defining so it’s hard to pick one specific moment. Getting on flip skateboards is up there though.
Moving from England to LA is quite a shift, was the move instinctual or strategic?
It was something that just made sense for skating, England is great but it’s not too productive for skating due to the weather. California has everything you need.
What do you love about living in LA?
The weather is unreal! You can go months without seeing rain. It’s nice to know that you’re going to wake up to blue skies every single day. There are great restaurants and the beach is 30 minutes away, not to forget the hot girls…
You sartorial style is a departure from that of the typical skater. How did you get interested in fashion?
I just got really into how clothes feel and look, the material is important to me. I prefer a t-shirt to be thin ‘cause’ it just feels better when I skate and I don’t feel confined.
You are affiliated with certain brands. Which are they and how do you go about deciding which ones are right for you?
Aside from Flip, I’m with a new shoe company called Filament. It’s a ‘rad’ new company started by Tim Gavin (legendary street skater). It’s exciting to be part of something brand new and they have given me a lot of control over what products I want to bring out in the future. I’m excited to work on them and get people stoked.
How do you personally measure success and what does it mean to you?
I guess I just measure it on how hard you’ve worked for something and being able to support people who have helped you.
Interview & grooming by Amanda Bell
Photography by Andrea Vecchiato