Interview by Jenkin Au
Words by Jenkin Au
Photography by Jenkin Au
Coming from Mosaic Skateboards is Ryan McKellar, the creator/motivator for the brand. As a small production, Mosaic Skateboards has moved a long way since it’s first inception, achieving distribution deals and store placements. This small brand is quickly moving with many products along the way. Joining the justalilhype! Crew for a few words, we sat down with Ryan to talk about the brand and his struggles while bringing it up.
Can you tell us a little more about yourself?
My name is Ryan McKellar. I was born in Richmond and I grew up in East Vancouver. It was good times and did lots of skateboarding. I started when I was 10, in ’88, and I just always said, “I’m going to skate in ’88.” It’s been a blast ever since.
As the main creator of Mosaic Skateboards, can you tell us more about what it is?
In 2000, I was skating lots, lots, lots and I wanted to keep going and I knew I wasn’t going to turn pro anytime soon. It’s pretty tough to get there these days. Skateboarding was my passion and wanted to keep going with it so I might as well do something with it. I wanted start my own thing and I’ve always like the name Mosaic. I started thinking about it in 2005 and it started in 2006. I got it together then and just been going since.
Did you have any help along the way?
I had help from the bank. You need a bank loan to help you here and there, but no regrets. I’m glad I did it and it’s starting to pay off. I just got my first distribution deal with Meridian Distribution and new graphics and boards are coming out.
What got you skating in the first place?
It started when one of my mom’s best friends had a little banana board and I just started trying to learn how to push and keep balance. In the ‘80’s, pro boards like Tony Hawk and those guys and now it’s 2010, damn!
And today, you’re rocking a separated collar bone. Is this the biggest injury you’ve had?
Skateboard wise, probably? It doesn’t feel too great, but you got to live with it. I thought they were going to pop it back in place, but no, they just left it. Other than that, the biggest one was way back in the day. I don’t know if you remember this, but it was at the Richmond Skate Ranch.
No, that was too long ago.
Way back in the day, me and my old buddy Lee Matasi would skate there every day and he would drop in from the big half pipe. I had to do it too, because I was the older dude and stuff. I did it and crashed and smoked my helmet. It cracked right in half. Nothing really happened but I was just K.O.’d and seeing stars, while Lee was just laughing. Other than that, it’s just rolled ankles and smacked heads here and there.
How did you get this separated collar bone?
I was skating out at the Lonsdale park the other day at night time and this kid was trying to go for the six-stair ollie. It was one of those, “You do it, I do it,” kind of things. I do it, and I land it. But then, I do it again and rolled three feet and then I Superman’d it to my shoulder. It didn’t feel broken so I went home and chilled for a few days. After that, I got it checked out and yeap, it was popped. A little pain, it’s good. It makes you feel like you’re living.
Where is Mosaic today?
As of yesterday, I got my first board in the SBC Skateboard Magazine. Spencer Hamilton is on the cover and he’s killing it! I wanted to give him some props. I’m working on a new video now. I’ve got the camera, I’ve got the computer, and I’ve got the team now. Hopefully, I can release it late summer.
What is the biggest accomplishment to date for Mosaic?
Just keeping it going – it’s tough. It’s a lot of ups and downs and you just got to stick with it. I got my board in Antisocial, which I’m really HYPEd up about and Michelle is really accepting and I’m excited about it all. Alex at Underworld and Zoltan at Showcase have all supported me. I’ve got boards and stickers and gear and hoodies and so far, so good.
Where does Mosaic want to head to?
We’ve got a long way to go. I don’t want to get overwhelmed with the big picture of world tours and this and that. It’s a lot to think about so I’m just taking it year by year and growing and progressing.
Your official title is creator/motivator. How do you fulfill that role as motivator?
I just talk to the riders. You can’t be pushy but you got to motivate and you have the gift so just use it. Now that I’m almost 33, time flies and you have to get stuff done. Back in the day, I was into music. I played drums in a band called Ocean3. We were great and we were together for four years. We did a lot of touring and our highlight was one year, we were up in Whistler with Gob and then the next year with SNFU and then next thing you know, all hell broke loose and all you got is the CD’s, photos, videos and the memories.
Five minutes of fame.
Oh yeah. I could have kept it going but skateboarding won.
Now, 30 some odd years in, you’re someone who lives for the moment. Has there been any incidents in your life that had lead up to the mentality where you have to enjoy your moment right then and there?
Yeah definitely. Time flies and stuff happens. One of the main things that’s happened before that I really hadn’t talked about is that I was born with cystic fibrosis. It’s a lung disease and it’s not fun to have. A lot of kids don’t make it in their late teens and I was pretty health growing up. I did sports, girls and skateboarding, but when I was 18 or 19, my health started to go down and it was not looking too good. The doctor was like, “Ry, do you want to live or die?” I told him that I wanted to live and then he was like, “OK, double lung transplant then.” It was pretty heavy at the time but I wanted to live. It was 1998 back then and then 12 years later, I’m still kicking.
How has this single event inspired you in almost every aspect of life?
Just keep on pushing it and don’t get too bummed out or negative. You have to look at it in the big picture and just reach the top of the mountain. It’s been a struggle and I’ve had a lot of support from my parents and friends. It’s been good overall.
That’s some deep stuff. Let’s move back to skateboarding. What are some of the biggest tricks you’ve done?
I once switch tre flipped a 20 stair… nah, it was a two stair. I always want to do it big, but I was more of a tech guy with manuals and flip tricks.
What are some of your staple moves?
Nollie cabs and nollie 180s, varial heels, switch manuals, nose grinds…
Nice! What are some of the new products that are coming out for Mosaic?
I’ve got some new videos coming out. My buddy Rob Lyons helped me out with that, good times. I got two new board graphics dropping this summer…
And how do you think Mosaic is helping the scene?
It’s going great. There aren’t too many companies, Western Canadian wise. We got Kitsch, and Monke. We sponsor guys and lots of people have talent. I don’t offer big money, or any money, and I don’t offer 10 boards a month, but I definitely help them out and get them exposure. Jordan Repin is doing really well now and Lanny DeBoer is just killing it.
How do you guys pick your guys?
You got to have the skills. Some of the main things I’ve learned is that you can flip in and flip out of this but it’s about attitude and communication. If you’re a prick, no one wants to be around you. The bigger one is communication. If you can’t make it, just say it and say what’s on your mind.
What is your current setup?
I’ve got the eight inch board with Indie trucks and Bones and 52 mm wheels. I also created the Gator Grip and you can pick it up at Push Skateshop. I spent a long winter making the stencil and I’ve got the two colour way going on.
What is HYPE?
You get excited and all the new things are happening and you’re pumped. It’s rare and 10 things are happening at once.