Exclusive Interview | Zach Wagner

Interview by: Christian Senrud

Tell us a little about yourself. Your sponsors, age, where you live?
I’m 21 years old. I skate for the stereo sound agency, hi fi wheels, Ezekiel clothing, and I get shoes for Lakai. I currently live in the suburbs of Los Angeles.

Are you still living with your parents?
Yeah, I still live with them, but it’s cool because I have been on trips for the majority of the summer.

Does that get tricky when you want to have an adult-themed slumber party?
Yes. I don’t even bother to try.

Have you lived in California your whole life?
Born and raised.

How did you avoid becoming the typical Cali bro-brah?
Just being observant of everyone around me and saying to myself that I don’t want anything to do with these type of people.

Is it hard traveling the world with the Hills/Laguna Beach stereotypes already out there influencing how people view Americans, especially ones from Southern California?
I didn’t realize that until recently when I was on this Minnesota trip and people would ask where I’m from. When you tell them California they get all excited and say how badly they want to live there. People think Hollywood is all glamorous when really it’s just trashy and trafficy.

How often do you get to hang out with Jason Lee?
I see him every so often. He just had a housewarming party that was awesome. He had this treehouse in his back yard that was furnished that I would totally be able to live in.

Did you have a period in high school where Mallrats was your favorite movie?
It still is one of my favorites.

Have you gotten to visit any TV or movie sets as a result of being a stereo sound agent?
I was on the Daily Habit. I’m just hyped they let me skate the quarter pipe that everyone sits on.

How often do people ask you about Jason being a scientologist?
Not often.

Are you a scientologist?
No!

What’s your take on the whole religion/ spirituality scene?
I guess I would consider myself to be a follower of the Buddhist path. I don’t want to push religion onto anyone though; I hate that more than anything. Separation between church and skate.

I heard you do yoga. Does that coincide with any religious feelings or is that purely for your physical betterment?
I’m pretty much addicted to it now. I can’t start my day without it. It makes me calm and relaxed. All yoga really is, is opening up each of your body’s limbs and putting oxygen into it. It’s probably the best thing I ever found. It just opened me up to a lot of new things. If I’m ever stressed out or depressed I just stretch out and wait for the bad feelings to leave my body.

When was the last time you saw Danny Renaud?
The last time i saw him was on a SF trip a couple years ago, the dude was killing it. One morning he woke me up by throwing on orange at the wall above my bed.

Do you have any good stories about that dude from being on the road or just hanging out?
I only got to go on one trip with him before he had his accident but on that SF trip he switch fs heeled this street gap and bombed the hill afterwards. There was this taxi driving through the intersection that Danny was approaching. It slammed on its brakes and he jumped off his board onto the hood and jumped off with no scratches. Pretty impressive.

How do you occupy your time when you’re not skateboarding?
When I’m not skateboarding, I’m working on painting. I don’t really like to go out that much when I’m at home, I just work on art.

How long have you been getting shoes from Lakai?
Since I was 16, so 5 years now.

Are you going to have a part in the highly anticipated Lakai Am/Flow video entitled “slightly flared”?
Last part!

Obviously, I’m joking about that video, but it’d be a good idea right?
That would be rad.

You got anything else you want to add? Some shout outs, call outs or words of wisdom?
Thanks everyone who helped me out and remember that the only objective in life is to grow.

Check out more of Zach and the rest of the Stereo team here:

Stereo Team at The Berrics

Stereo Team Promo

Stereo Sound Agency
Lakai Limited Footwear
Hi Fi Wheels
Ezekiel Clothing