Justin Girard

Muck Mouth x New Deal Interview

Where are you living today, and what is your current job?
I live in Washington State, near Portland, with my wife Kristle and son, James. Over the past twenty years I have worked between the creative and software engineering spheres, with a focus on software architecture. Most recently I developed and wrote the architecture for Akamai's Adaptive Media Player product, and I have an extensive background in software development for digital media.

When was your favorite era in skateboarding?
Definitely the 80s because that was my formative period in the sport, but every era has its own unique value. This current era is beginning to produce some of the best multi-discipline talent I've ever seen.

Who was your first sponsor, and how did you get hooked up?
Bill's Wheels skate shop was my very first sponsor, a local shop literally a few blocks from my house in Salinas. Brand-X followed that (via Sean Goff and Bob Schmelzer) from a flow standpoint, then Fogtown. My connection with Bob and Brand-X was what landed me on Circle-A eventually. ​

Who is your favorite skater of all time?
No single skater, but for street skating Randy Colvin was always one of my favorites, and for vert Ross Goodman and Ben Schroeder were influential for me. ​

How much, if at all, are you still skating?
As much as my body can sustain and the rain will allow. My primary challenge is a bum right knee.

Do you still follow skateboarding - even if it is just browsing YouTube/Instagram?
I keep abreast of developments via my industry friends. My interest is primarily the skating itself, then the culture and art. I'd say the skating is leading the way of those two.

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​Specifically regarding your time on New Deal...
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How did you get on New Deal? How long were you on, and were you pro or amateur?
I joined ND through Rick Ibaseta, Andy Howell. and Danny Sargent as a pro, a few months or so after the first round of products were released (I believe, Steve might be able to put a finer date on it). I stayed a team member until Me, Steve, Paul, and Andy agreed to start Mad Circle.

Which of the videos you were in?
I was in UWT, 1281, and Da Deal is Dead.

What was your favorite video part of yours, and what was your favorite part of someone else?
A mix of all of them. Rick's UWT and all the vert content. ​

Best thing about riding for New Deal?
Team camaraderie.

Worst thing about riding for New Deal?
Trying to stand out amongst a wildly talented field of teammates.

Who was your favorite skater on the team and why?
No favorites, but I'll single out Andy and Gorm for the scope of their contributions to the company and the team from creative and athletic standpoints.

Tell us something about New Deal that most people do not know?
Ask Steve and Paul about the infamous 1281 earthquake.

What do you think about New Deal coming back?
Overwhelmingly positive. It's great to see the impact it had on people, which you tend to overlook given we were all so focused making it what it was at the time.

Justin Girard - How much water polo, scamming on hot babes, driving your fast expensive car, and hanging out in your penthouse do you do these days?
Look for me on the 2020 Olympic Water Polo team, I limit my scamming to my wife, I'm a truck guy now and I sold my penthouse for a 5 acre nest on a green mountain in the woods ;)

Riders 1990-1992