Is Virginia truly for lovers?
I would say so. Virginia has that Southern hospitality thing going on.

You are a gnarly vert skater, but confessed to me that you are scared of heights; please explain.
Well, it’s true… I am scared of heights… I guess that’s why it took me until I was 24 years old to drop in on a vert ramp! Better late than never – remember that ladies (and guys)!

Are you trying to make a fashion statement with the broken wrist?
Um… no! Although I did go through quite a few different colored casts… I tried to make it fun even though it was smelly and annoying. I’m glad it’s off now!

How come when we’re in a big group no-one listens to you when you are talking?
I don’t know… for some reason that always happens to me! Story of my life…I guess I’ve always flown under the radar.

How on earth did you come to Encinitas and become a professional skateboarder?
It really just sort of happened by chance. I moved to CA to find surf with a friend from college. I’d never been west of Ohio. I didn’t know the action sports industry was based in so-cal – in fact I didn’t know much about the industry itself (which isn’t a bad thing in my opinion). I was blown away by all the places to skate out here, so I got hyped on skating again. Then I started skating vert, bowls and bigger transition, and then entering contests… One thing led to another.

I was able to graduate from college and live in the Caribbean for a while before I got into skating professionally. I’m appreciative of those experiences; they were valuable and played a role in helping me get to where I am today.

What makes you nervous?
Contests, heights, the unexpected…and the unknown.

What makes you hungry?
Food of course… and the thought of learning something new skating.

What gets you hyped to skate?
Good, loud music is crucial to any skate session!! YES!

What are your biggest pet peeves?
When people chew with their mouths open… Bad drivers… Superficial people…and session-killers! Boo!

Which one of the vert girls has the smelliest knee-pads?
We’ve all been there before… it really just depends who hasn’t washed their pads in a while. It can get pretty nasty.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?
A tiger… Rrrooooar!

What are your most embarrassing hobbies/interests?
Hmm… I like to watch Dateline NBC on Friday nights – I guess that’s semi-embarrassing.

What is your favorite word?
Here’s a few: pop-rivet, conquistador, twilight.

Is Cara-Beth Burnside really in fact, the horse whisperer?
She’s pretty darn close! She has many animals and talks to all of them on a regular basis.

What is your favorite type of dessert?
Cake!

What are your goals?
To keep living life to the fullest while riding and progressing on my skateboard!

More info on Mimi and the rest of the team at: nikitaclothing.com