Following up on her amazing full part from Bombshell that dropped last week, here’s the interview we did with Lacey Baker last summer during her trip through Europe! Hailing from California, that fabled land of sunshine and dry perma-skateable streets Lacey Baker first showed up at the X Games when she was just 15, placing third. Six years on and she’s considered one of the slickest street skaters this goddam planet has to offer. She’s in Europe for the summer so we checked in for a chat

Interview by Sam Haddad, photography by Ana Paula Negrao

Hey Lacey, what’s up? How’s 2012 going for you so far?
2012 has been great so far! Lots of new chapters in life happening. It’s good.

Is your knee fully better now?
Yes it is! Unfortunately my other knee overcompensated for that injury and gives me problems now. Luckily it’s not too bad.

How do you cope with injury?
It happened at a time when other things weren’t so great, it was a tough time altogether. I definitely did my best to be patient and take care of it everyday, but it does get really frustrating. I couldn’t wait to be able to skate again!

Where’s your favourite place to skate and why?
North Hollywood plaza is my go to, but I have the most fun when I skate with my best friends. All the dudes at the Pawnshop skate. We try to go filming every weekend for the video! So far so good! They’re my best friends ever!

I have noticed more and more girls coming into the scene. As long as they’re doing it because it’s something they love then it can inspire others to start doing it.

Did you enjoy Europe and how’s it different skating here to back home?
Europe is always a great experience! It’s surreal to be in such amazing parts of the world with so many people who are there for the same reason. Skating here at home is a lot more mellow for me, mostly because it’s just all my closest friends.

Do you prefer street skating or contests and why?
Street skating, always. Contests are contests, it’s all the same. Street skating is the best because I get to do it with my best friends and there is always something new to try.

How was growing up in California?
Before I travelled, I didn’t realise how great it is to live in California. I love the fact that it’s sunny all year around and that I can skate whenever I want!

When did you first step on a board and when did it become your life?
When I was four. Slowly I became more and more obsessive, by the time I was eight it was all I cared about.

Who are your favourite girls to skate with?
Most definitely Amy [Caron], getting to know her over the years has been awesome. Alexis [Sablone] is really rad too! Also Vanessa [Torres], Taylor [Beattie], and I don’t get to skate with Marisa ever but I have always loved her skating! She’s really awesome.

Before I travelled, I didn’t realise how great it is to live in California.

How can we get more girls into skating?
That’s a toughie, although I have noticed more and more girls coming into the scene. It’s a slow process. I think that as long as they’re doing it because it’s something they love then it can inspire others to start doing it.

What do you make of the trend for small 70s-style cruiser boards?
I think they’re rad and cool to look at. I like the bright colour combinations they are producing but I don’t have one. I don’t think I’d ever actually ride it anywhere.

Are you still studying art?
Yeah! I think I’m about halfway through. I’m taking it slow so I can balance it with skating and actually be able to retain information and get something out of it.

What are your favourite skate deck designs?
I have always loved Toy Machine, Ed Templeton produces some rad stuff. Slave is a rad company too.

What are your plans for this summer?
I’m going to take the quarter off from school, skate in the usual contests, I’ll be travelling to the UK, Prague and Barcelona, and have fun!

Lacey is sponsored by Billabong and The Pawnshop Skate, she also gets product from Vans, Indy and Bones.