ABOUT US

RANDY KORWIN

1992 was the year of my evolution, from a hunched over knee boarding hobbyist to an upright bipedal obsessed skate rat wearing out the magnetic ribbon on my copy of Plan B - Questionable video. Eventually my sponsor-me tapes went out via the postal service and trips to Tampa Am representing companies filled my 20s.  

Along this road I would be a skate shop employee, a designer of a skatepark from clay and I would eventually find myself in the commercial photography industry in Chicago as my love for skateboarding transitioned into a pastime.

I have enjoyed the viewpoints of others that echo our cultures approach and world view. From Neil Degrass Tyson’s interview with Humanity Stoked – saying “Skateboarding is a society that values people for their differences and promotes their ingenuity.  Followed by Jerry Seinfeld talking to Chris Rock during a comedian in cars getting coffee saying, “One of the great activities is skateboarding, you learn to do that trick, now you have a life lesson.”   

  • Year I Started: 1990

  • Stance: Goofy

  • Favorite Tricks: Nollie Flip. Back Smith.

  • Favorite Skaters: Marc Johnson. Mark Suciu.

MIKE KAUFMAN

I’ve had so many great hobbies throughout my life: video games, BMX, freestyle, skateboarding, snowboarding, mountain biking, skydiving…many of which I still do to this day. But skateboarding will always be my one true love. Ever since I saw my uncle Rich pull out his launch ramp and do some airs with his board, I just knew I had found my calling. My parents got me my first skateboard for Christmas that year, and the rest, as they say, is history.

There are so many things I love about skateboarding: the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you land tricks, the never quit mentality, the strive for constant improvement and perfection, creating your own unique style, and just doing what feels fun to you. I credit skateboarding for my strong work ethic and success in my professional career in IT. I also think about all the great friendships I’ve made skating over the years. The countless memories of all the skateparks and spots we skated together. Cheering for your friends even when they’re competing against you in competitions, and your friends losing their sh*t in celebration of you landing that trick that took you so long to get. What other sport gives you that?

Skateboarding will forever be a part of my life. I’m so thankful for my supportive wife, who always encourages me to skate even to this day. I look forward to teaching my son how to skateboard, and seeing if it hooks him like it did me. And I’m really excited to share Bolts Cards with all of you and give back to the community that’s given so much to me over the years.

  • Year I Started: 1988

  • Stance: Regular

  • Favorite Tricks: Impossible. Blunt variations on transition.