‘If I could start life all over again, I wouldn’t have messed with alcohol in the first place.’
Todd Tessier
September 2025
Interview and Photos by Graham Vickers
#1 Name?
Todd Tessier.
#2 Age?
49.
#3 Where ya from?
Victoria BC Canada.
#4 Where are you living now?
China.
#4.1 What brought you to China?
A friend in China offered me a job as a consultant skateboard coach for the Olympic team just about when covid was finishing up. Tim Hero is his name from Guangzhou China. For anyone who wants to visit China he should be their first stop.
#4.2 Any Chinese skaters that we should be looking out for?
Too many to count, just keep your eyes open.
#5 Goofy or Regular?
Both.
#5.1 Both? Which foot gets out of bed first?
Both legs get out of bed first but started as a grom with left foot forward. Learn switch right away kids. It’s better for your body longevity wise keeps you more even.
#6 Skateboarding inspirations?
Danny way.
#7 Where have you travelled?
Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Macau, Indonesia, Philippines, Korea, France, Barcelona, Portugal and the multi verse and back.
#8 Favourite trick?
The ever so stylish pop shuv it.
#9 Favourite foods?
Apples, bananas and pineapple.
‘Too much flip in flip out robot skatepark shenanigans.’
#10 Sobriety? When/how and life now?
11 years ago, with a life coach for 2 years. Lots of meetings and life now is good but it’s not easy. Taking it one day at a time keeps it managed. Skateboarding supports the choice I made.
#10.1 What part is still ‘not easy’?
Sometimes it’s difficult being sober. You get people constantly trying to get you to drink with them or they’re ignorant and just don’t understand why you don’t. And to be quite honest, if I could start life all over again, I wouldn’t have messed with alcohol in the first place. But this is my journey I have to be sober day by day and be grateful. Alcohol messes up a lot of people’s lives even sometimes people that don’t have extreme issues with it and are functioning alcoholics. Everyone has their choice. So live life and enjoy it to the fullest.
#11 Favourite skater?
Tom penny and any part he has. True inspiration always.
#12 What do you see yourself doing beyond skateboarding?
Shooting photos and couples’ yoga.
#13 What does it take to be a professional skateboarder nowadays?
Being humble and determined to never give up.
#14 Where do you see skateboarding in 10 years?
Too much flip in flip out robot skatepark shenanigans.
#15 What’s your take on the death of print magazine and online mags?
Print is making a comeback because it is truly valued. Nothing beats having a print version to look over and over again. No value anymore. Tricks on IG come and go so fast and so does a link you click and read. Keep on bringing prints back. Thank you to my family and friends that helped along the way. The photographers, videographers and even the skaters that took the time to use their phones! T.T.