Fritz Mead

Skater: Fritz Mead
Trick: Bs Noseslide
Photography: Xeno

What exactly is your full name, how long have you been living, and who tickles your fancy with free goodies?
Fritz Friedrich Howard Kelly Mead. I've been on the planet Earth for 18 years. For now, Jetty Clothing, Tasty Skateboards, Devo at VOX, and UG Skateshop.

Damn, that's a long name! How did that happen?
I don't know. I wrote a school paper on it once, and it was really long.

So, you've got a mysterious, but casual job, that you don't get paid for?
I do get paid, $7 an hour, painting pictures for Artists for Humanity. It's a local program in South Boston that hires youth to do artwork.

In addition to painting, you've built a bowl in your basement that's hardly easy to skate. Is that how you deal with Boston winters?
Boston winters are dealt with multiple pairs of long underwear, and thermal clothing. But I spend a lot of time skating the bowl.

Who in particular inspires you to keep progressing?
Um, who inspires me to keep progressing? I usually skate with Doug and Max. When they learn a new trick I'm excited to learn a new trick myself.

Are you at all involved with making the Charles River Skatepark happen?
Yeah, my whole family has been involved with making the skatepark happen. More people need to get involved so that it becomes a park built for skaters, by skaters, and not a park built for skaters that has little to no appeal. More people need to get onboard quickly! Charlesriverskatepark.org! Colin is the guy to talk to.

What makes a day in the life of Fritz a good one?
Fun skateboarding, Milkway candy bars, pizza or calzones, and sleeping with the window open.

What's the most fun spot youve skated recently?
Bro from Orchard has a friend in Dorchester with a ramp that's incredible. A tree growing out of the transition always makes for a fun skate session.

You speak a lot about Doug's ramp. What's the deal with that?
Doug is the maximus legend, and his ramps are really fun. Over the past year I have gotten somewhat obsessive-compulsive over them.

What's with one beer effecting you like 10 Red Bulls would?
I don't know, I guess I'm kind of a lightweight.

So that's what's up with that photo. Thanks or shout outs?
Pat, Xeno, Andrew, and everyone who helped out with wood or labor to build the bowl. It would have never been possible without all of the combined forces. Jetty and Tasty Skateboards for making skateboarding way more fun, allowing me to skate new and different spots. Will Mead, my brother, for introducing me to a skateboard.