By Matt Moro
Staff Writer
Sophomore Logan Kirshak has been skateboarding since he was five years old. According to fellow Costa skateboarders seniors Dakota Buckley, Justin Melnick, and Dylan Harkenrider, Kirshak’s skateboarding journey has led him to where he is today as a role model to others and an influential figure.
Kirshak was born in New York where he began skateboarding, and later moved to Maryland where his dad coached him in a local indoor skatepark. According to Kirshak, he built a strong foundation to his skateboarding on the east coast before moving to California in 2016.
“I started skateboarding when I was five or six I would say,” Kirshak said. “I was fascinated by it and wanted to learn. Skateboarding on the east coast was fun for me because I had a lot of friends who skated, but once I moved to California, many opportunities opened up for me.”
In 2017, one year after Kirshak moved to Manhattan Beach, Marine Avenue Skatepark opened, and it became his new local park. Kirshak began to skate and film videos with his friends almost every day after school. After posting these videos on Instagram, he started to gain followers and currently has 63,000.
“Having this new skatepark next to my house really changed everything for me,” Kirshak said. “I was able to skate more than I used to be able to, and that privilege allowed me to get better and better every day.”
Kirshak has since worked with companies such as Powell Peralta, Grizzly Griptape, F***ing Awesome, Converse, Active Ride Shop, Inflamed Studios and Spyder Boards, who have sponsored him and facilitated numerous opportunities for him.
“Getting sponsored and having the support of these companies behind you is a feeling like no other,” Kirshak said. “It shows they really believe in me and are investing in what I have to offer them, which is my talent and influence.”
According to Kirshak, when he isn’t at a skatepark, he loves to film street footage with his friends. Kirshak skates street spots all over Los Angeles, such as Hollywood High School and Downtown Los Angeles. He occasionally flies out of state to skate different parts of the country such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Nevada to experience different atmospheres.
“Filming street footage has always been a staple part of skateboarding which I love to do,” Kirshak said. “It’s the most fun part of it all to me, so when I am able to do it, I have a lot of fun.”
One of Kirshak’s more recent sponsorships, F***ing Awesome, noticed him through his social media, which showcases his skateboarding abilities. One team rider from F***ing Awesome, Na-kel Smith, showed an interest in Kirshak’s skating and requested that the owner, Jason Dill, supply Kirshak with free product.
“Riding for Powell Peralta was sick and [everyone]’s super cool, but a dream of mine that I’ve always had is to ride for F***ing Awesome,” Kirshak said. “When I was given that opportunity, I had to take it.”
Kirshak’s biggest dream has always been to be a professional skateboarder. He works toward this goal by consistently skating at the highest possible level and dedicating hours of his time each week to the sport, according to Kirshak.
“One day I will be a professional skateboarder; it’s something I’ve wanted my whole life,” Kirshak said. “I believe if I work hard enough and continue to be an honest, good person, I’ll be able to achieve it one day.”
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