Family member - Sofie Valle Mørk

Can you tell us about your journey into skateboarding?

I've always been energetic and tried many different sports early on. I loved snowboarding, and I had tried surfing a bit. Then I found my mom's old skateboard at home and started playing around with it in the living room. My mom thought it was a good idea to take me to our local skate park, and that's when it clicked. I was about nine years old and just felt that this was what I wanted to do. I felt free on the board and loved that I could do my own thing. I've never regretted it. Skating is what I love to do.

Skateboarding spots can vary greatly – from streets to skate parks to DIY spots. Could you describe an unusual or unexpected location where you've had an unforgettable skate session?

Absolutely. Or... it's difficult for me to pick out a specific spot because I've had so many unreal experiences at so many cool spots this summer. This year has been very unusual and unexpected for me. It started when Tiago contacted me on Instagram and told me to come to Oslo and skate with him and the guys. I was so stoked and starstruck, haha. Tiago is the coolest skater in the world and the nicest person. The first time I met them, I was really excited. All the guys are skaters I look up to, so it was insane for me. We skated, and I had a blast. Tiago filmed a little line of me too.

Tiago has been the nicest to me, and I'm so happy for all the sessions I've been a part of. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have met and skated with all these good and kind skaters. They've welcomed me so well, and the fact that I got to film street clips with Pekka is just crazy to think about. It was very fun and educational, so it's definitely something I want to do more of. I've skated a lot of different things, but street is what I like the most, and I hope to skate even more of it next year.

What's your favorite skateboarding trick and why does it hold a special place for you?

It has to be the switch flip. I landed it when I was tired of trying to learn the tre flip. That's often how I learn new things, when I escape from a trick that frustrates me. What's fun about switch is that I can kind of learn everything again and get a sense of mastery over the same trick. I remember very well the first time I landed it, at home on the ramp during quarantine under COVID. I was super stoked! Right now, I think nollie flip and switch frontside flip are really fun, but switch flip is my go-to.

Skateboarding is often considered a form of self-expression. How has your personal style evolved over the years, and how do you use it to stand out in a crowded skate scene?

I just do what I think is fun and hope that it shows in my style. That skating is fun and makes me happy, and I hope it can inspire others too. I want my style to reflect myself as a person, and I feel like I'm constantly evolving. But, of course, I want my tricks to look good too, haha! I like flip tricks, so that's probably a bit descriptive of my style.

How do you balance pushing the boundaries of your skill while staying safe and avoiding injury?

Haha, maybe I'm not the one taking the biggest risks compared to many others. I work my way up, so I know I have a chance to land the tricks. But I've had some practice falling too... I prefer my shins with bruises. I try to be good at warming up, hate flipping with cold feet, haha. I've also had some back problems, so I try to find time to do some injury prevention strength training too.

Beyond the physical aspects, skateboarding also involves a strong sense of community. Can you share an experience that highlights the positive impact skateboarding has had on your social connections?

Yes, I love meeting people and talking to everyone. Skateboarding has given me that 100%. I skate with people of all ages, so I learn a lot from it. I'm super happy for the good friends I've made through skating. You kind of make friends everywhere when you're out skating, and Instagram makes it easy to find someone to skate with in new places. For me, skating is very social, and that's great because I'm a pretty social person.

Music and skateboarding have a long-standing connection. Are there any specific songs or artists that you find particularly inspiring or that get you in the right mindset for a great skateboarding session?

I listened a lot to my mom's music when I was younger, so it was a lot of Bob Marley and Bad Religion. Now it's more Tyler the Creator and Brent Faiyaz and others in that vein, but I'm not that picky. I can listen to a lot of different things. A good song is a good song. At home in my room, I prefer playing on a record player.

Can you share some insights into your daily skateboarding routine and how you maintain your skills?

Yes, I actually created some routines during the COVID period. I made a list of all my tricks, and I set that every day. When I learned new tricks, I added them to my list. After I landed them, I played a Game of Skate with myself, haha. I had written all the tricks on slips of paper and put them in a box, then I drew a slip and had to do that trick. Those were times, haha. I still have a list I try to set as often as I can, but I switch up which tricks are on my list.

What advice do you have for aspiring skateboarders looking to make a name for themselves in the industry?

The most important thing for me is that I do what I think is fun and am happy. Don't skate for others but for yourself. Be nice to everyone you meet along the way. I don't want to be the one pestering sponsors, but I think that if I deserve it, it will come. I want my skating to speak for me. It's worked well so far! I'm very grateful for my sponsors and for everyone who backs me and helps me!

Thanks for taking the time!