A TRIBUTE TO OUR HOMEBOY - Ole Rauff
THE OLE RAUFF STORY by skate-buddy Finn Dynesen /
Ole is and always was a good lad. He started skating around 1987. Sminge Hallen near Århus was where he by far skated the most. I think that was also where he took up skateboard-photography… and he has since taken a thousand radical skate-shots both in Denmark and abroad. Ole has always been really good at travelling going to contests, demos and events like that all over the world.
One of the trips I remember best with Ole was a trip to Münster Monster Master Blastership in Germany in the late 80’s. After way too many tequila slammers he and I skated from the center to Halle Münsterland to watch the contest, amazingly we made it to the contest without scratches. Rauff was not holding back on the tequila you know… and we could hardly walk… but skating there somehow worked out ok.
Ole has been working hard for many years cleaning and taking care of the 2 public skateparks in Malmö (Sweden) and he is also by far the coolest dedicated private chauffeur for skaters at VertAttack.
Photo by Bryce Kanights.
I will not hesitate to claim that Rauff is a certified piece of Danish skate-history and that I could go on and on with rad skate-stories about his life. I think he should have all the credit in the world, and this tribute from Act in Public is super cool and well deserved.
THE OLE RAUFF INTERVIEW - by Act in Public:
- WHAT DOES SKATEBOARDING MEAN TO YOU?
Skateboarding means freedom! When you step on your board You forget the real World! It gives you a form of freedom like nothing else. Once you get into it for real it is for life!
- HOW DO YOU EARN A LIVING THESE DAYS?
I have been through a couple of hard years; Loosing the love of my life and my cleaning job at Bryggeriet Skatepark in Malmo, Sweden; All within 14 days, and that broke me down very hard! It let into a harsh alcohol abuse. In April 2019 I was breaking down real hard and asked for help. Admitted into 24hour rehab for 70 days. 6 months in a shelter afterwards and 6 months in a good friend’s apartment. Now 1,5 years sober!!!
- WHAT PART OF COPENHAGEN DO YOU LOVE MOST?
I always loved The Inner City with its old buildings. In the late 80´s we had many fun days at Israels Plads and Storkespringvandet. In 1988 the old Fælledparken opened, that changed the scene a lot. I was at the opening in June 1988 shooting photos and had to fly to California 2 days later; Full chin slap in the Asphalt Hell, bleeding like a stung pig, Frank Messmann took me across the street to Rigshospitalet. 7 stitches later I was carving again. I did not look real stellar on the flight to LA with a fat bandage; Luckily the wife of the couple I stayed with in South Pasadena was a nurse, she took out the stitches and saved me 100 dollars. Good times!
- THE BIGGEST BATTLE IN YOUR LIFE WAS?
The biggest battle of my life was getting sober for sure! Both physically and mentally. In Denmark alcohol is everywhere and very socially used and accepted. I have no problem hanging out with my good friends that drink, the urge is totally gone! I do admit, at the recent CPH OPEN, I split everyday around midnight when the good homies were starting to speak in funny ways. All good though, I had some really rad days.
- WHO IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE SKATEBOARDER?
I gotta say Lance Mountain. When I travelled to California back in '88 I stayed really close to him; I borrowed a bike and went there; Lance and the Bones Brigade Team was in Europe, but his Dad gave me a tour at his war museum with swords, armor in a showcase. I was blown away, it was rad. 2 weeks later Lance was back in LA and I went again; Had an awesome day shooting him and Chris Borst, both on a flyout on the downhill road and the vert ramp in the backyard. I was pretty blown away biking back from Alhambra. But there are many; Nicky Guerrero, Rune Glifberg, Chris Miller, Jeff Grosso RIP, Mark Gonzales. There are many; too many to mention all.
- YOUR FAVORITE SKATEBOARD MEMORY?
Favorite memory is the Cali trip of course, the old Scandinavia Open in Forum, Copenhagen, and the new 2001-2003, big up Steen Kelså and Dave Duncan plus everyone that made these epic contests possible. The indoor barn in Sminge Skatepark that had a huuge vert at the time, Q-pipes and Denmark's first concrete pool! It almost went to vert, steel coping and a wide ass channel. I have had so many fond memories through skateboarding: travelling, documenting, and meeting new awesome friends around the World. Thank You Skateboarding!
- WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUED SKATEBOARD PHOTO?
Favorite skateboard photo, amongst others, is Chris Miller at Upland, Crossbone, shot by J. Grant Brittain. Grant used a pole and put the camera on it, gave it a radical angle. Nicky Guerrero's, Fs Invert, cover in Transworld Skateboard Magazine, Dave Hackett's shirtless Slash Grind and the list goes on.......
- DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DRINK/BEVERAGE? WHY?
After I quit drinking, I turned to FAXE KONDI, tastes a bit like 7UP or Sprite, and then not. I probably had around 7000 in the last 1,5 year. Good homie Jonas "Ginger" Bunger and I are probably the biggest fans in Denmark. Let's write them a “sponsor me” letter G!
- WHAT’S UP WITH YOUR ACT IN PUBLIC TRIBUTE?
I was kinda baffled and stoked when Søren Aaby asked me to be a part of this. Humbled to be in the mix with Lau and Thomas… the Good Lad's! Never thought I'd have my own shirt collection. Thank You Act In Public.
- ANY REGRETS? GOOD ADVICE?
I think we all have regrets; I try to learn by them and be a better person every day. It is dangerous to think too much of the past, what happened cannot be changed. Now I am looking forward living in a new crib. Good things on the way. Good advice: Be kind, humble and treat your fellow human beings like You want to be treated.
Browse the Ole Rauff aka The Rauff tribute collection here:
