UGLY SKATEBOARDS
‘This brand started with a $325.00 loan and has slowly snowballed into what we are today.’
Lawrence Clayton
October 2025
What trigged the idea to start your own skateboard company in 2016?
I decided to start my own company simply because it’s something I’ve wanted to do since I started skating. In high school I would draw board graphics and make like a lil mock up page like ccs of different board designs and board technology ideas. I always thought they should market a board for bigger riders as I was 300lbs then. Anyway, moving forward. When I used to work for the Skate shop, I eventually ended up buying, my partner and friend presented me with an opportunity to start my own company and I just went with it. This brand started with a $325.00 loan and has slowly snowballed into what we are today.
Why ‘Ugly Skateboards’?
I named it ugly skateboards because it just made sense. Short and easy to remember. The world is an ugly place some time, people can be ugly, situations can be ugly, let’s make something positive and beautiful out of something “ugly”.
Can you tell us something about yourself?
Something about me? I started skateboarding in a small town named Copperas Cove Texas about ten minutes away from Killeen fort hood area. I was once blamed and arrested for skating in a school cafeteria. Vandalizing the school and changing the times on the clock (laughing). Funny enough I was at work at Jack in the box at the time. Had a time clock sheet. Had several witnesses. Still the county tried to get me to plead guilty despite alibi’s and literally being at work on camera. Eventually my case got dismissed after they figured out it was another black skater. So essentially because I was the only black skater known in town. I was told “it had to be you; I can tell by your hair” (laughing). It got dismissed. I was right. Watch out for them small Texas towns yall.
‘They used to say “do a jump black Tony Hawk” …Hilarious.’
‘I live at the complex directly next to this bus stop. Every single day for a year and a half I looked at it. Driving in, walking up, etc. Tried it once got kicked out by police. Cops said it was a sick idea but I need a permit or some jazz. Came back a few weeks later. Did it third try on a Sunday morning at 8am. Stale fish dump truck.’
You seem to very cool about this incident. How was it like though growing up as a black skater in white dominated community?
It was definitely interesting. I can tell you that much, however, I wouldn’t change a thing. It gave me thick skin, great clap back ability, aka the ability to go back and forth when someone is joking on you and it taught me not to assume things about others and encouraged me to be my authentic self. They used to say “do a jump black Tony Hawk”…Hilarious.
What got you into skateboarding in first place?
What got me into skateboarding and you’ll get a kick out of this Do you remember the Disney original movie called Brink? That got me into aggressive inline which turned me into an adrenaline junkie. So, when we moved to Killeen Texas in 2001, I tried to show off in front of some skateboarders at this street spot. I tried like a front flip 180 thing and rolled the crap out of my ankle. So, I went back to the hotel we were living in at the time and beat THPS2 with Rodney Mullen. I saw the 411vm video and it absolutely blew my mind. The freedom in which he had to create his art and express himself was jaw dropping. From that very moment I knew I was a skateboarder. I don’t condone stealing but I stole a mongoose board from Walmart and eventually just got a job to be able to buy real skate stuff. Been skating ever since. Thanks Rodney!
You are calling yourself ‘Working Class Skateboarders’. What do you mean by that?
We call ourselves working class skateboarders because it’s exactly that. We’re all talented individuals but it’s hard to make a living just skateboarding. So, we work out day jobs and go skate when we can and put out quality projects and merchandise and just keep it rolling. There’s not the most money in doing this but it’s not for the money. We don’t know how to be civilians at least me personally. So, we work we skate and encourage others to make time for their passions as well. Keep pushing yall.
‘You start to over analyse and suck the fun out of it and push yourself further away from your goal.’
Your general message is #havefunskateboarding. Is there anything about it that is not fun?
As far as the general message #havefunskateboarding for one. WE all started skateboarding because it looked fun. Then we kept doing it because it was still fun. So, you gotta remember why you picked up the board. It’s an escape. It’s fun. It’s art. It’s a challenge. It’s whatever you want it to be at the end of the day. Secondly. Have you ever noticed when you’re gonna try a trick or perhaps film even. You usually get closer to landing whatever trick the first few attempts because you’re excited about the idea and you’re having fun. So, if you notice after let’s say four or five tries. You start to over analyse and suck the fun out of it and push yourself further away from your goal. If you can find a way to remain positive and keep it fun. You usually have a way better chance of rolling away. So have fun skateboarding ya know.
Proudest moment so far?
So we have a full-length video on YouTube named the ugly video. We had our premiere at a venue and went all out and it was absolutely amazing. Literally a dream moment. We had art we had music food and most importantly our community so right before or after we ended up winning KOSA which is San Antonio’s version of king of the road. The guys who ran that kinda surprised us by showing up to our premiere with the award and the whole team was there and we just didn’t see it coming. So, it was an amazing two for one moment and thank you to our community and friends for having our back and making it amazing.
Most embarrassing or funny that you can share?
I don’t get embarrassed very easily. I kinda learned to hone that in years back. No one has control over my situation besides me. Funny. I would have to write a book and get it narrated by Morgan Freeman because we have way to many funny experiences together. But umm. One that sticks out is trying to nose blunt a rail at the old conder skatepark in Killeen, anyways true to nose blunt, board locked in completely vertical, sacked myself. Not only did I sack myself it ripped perfectly thru my jeans, thru my boxers, everyone was laughing, I was bleeding, but I too was also laughing while in so much pain because. When does that even happen. (laughing).
‘So, shout out to Austin but our tacos are still better.’
Which city would you consider the skate capital of Texas?
Look I’m biased, in my heart it will always be San Antonio Texas. But since Austin is now little California. I’m gonna have to say it’s currently Austin. They regularly have Thrasher edits and for Christs sakes ‘No Comply’ skate shop is immortalized in a video game. So, shout out to Austin but our tacos are still better. (laughing).
Which part of Texas are you representing and what is the local skate scene like?
I live and have lived in San Antonio for a little over two decades and what’s great about our city is our scene is pretty tight knit. Everyone looks out for each other. Everyone does events together. You can practically go to any park at any time and see someone you know. Our skate spots are sick, and the city keeps expanding. And our DIY scene is growing as well. Every year this city seems to get better, and I consider myself very blessed to live here and be a part of it.
Who do you consider the godmother of Texas skateboarding?
As far as the Godmother of Texas, I am going to have to say Cat from Cherries Wheels. The things she has done for skateboarding and girl/women skaters is absolutely astonishing. She’s created safe spaces for all types of skateboarders, and has thrown magnificent events, travelled, promotes positivity, challenges herself and still skates, while also being a mother! That’s gnarly, she’s gnarly and my hat goes off to her for sure. The products are definitely top tier as well. So check them out and thank you Cat for everything you do for us skate rats.
If you could sign up any skater for Ugly Skateboarding, who would it be?
Thus Guy Angel Rangel aka @toothar on Instagram. I’m telling you. Dude is next in line. Probably one of my favorite skaters currently. Check his page on the gram.
Last Question. If you could interview any person in the world, who would it be?
Probably my grandfather. I never met the guy but he is a Texas blues legend named “Bee Houston” his music is still circulated online via Spotify, YouTube, and of course tangible media like vinyl and cd’s. I always wanted to hear about old Texas, what it was like back then. What inspired him to get into blues, what was it like playing with BB king, big momma Thornton etc. He passed before I was born and ironically, I look just like him. That dude has some strong genes and my love for music just leaves me curious every time I listen to his albums. So yeah. I would interview my grand pops. Anywho. Shout out Texas skateboarders. Keep pushing, keep skating, do that thing you’ve been wanting to do. Stop putting it off. We only have one life. Let’s live and #havefunskateboarding.