Brevard Native Mark Lake Began Pro Skateboarding Career at Age 19, Still Going Strong 35 Years Later

Q&A with Coping Block Skateboarding magazine

“I got my first skateboard in 1967; I was ten years old at the time.  My brother Mike made the board from a street sign shaping it into a deck. The wheels came from an old pair of roller skates, which he cut in half.”

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Mark Lake, a 2020 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame inductee, began his pro skateboarding career at age 19 in 1985 and has been competing throughout the country for the past 35 years.

The following Q&A interview with Lake is by Cleo Coney, courtesy of Coping Block Skateboarding magazine.

Mark first let me thank you for allowing Coping Block to have a few words with you.

You have skated for some time, and in that time you have earned major respect from your skate peers through years of shredding. Let’s start from when you first picked up a skateboard, when did that happen?

“I got my first skateboard in 1967; I was ten years old at the time.  My brother Mike made the board from a street sign shaping it into a deck. The wheels came from an old pair of roller skates, which he cut in half.

You had the opportunity to skate some classic skate parks here in Florida, which one sticks out in your mind as the most fun?

It would have to be Indian Harbor Beach (IHB) Skate Park.  It was the local skate park in Melbourne, I skated the park just about every day until it closed. It had a big fast snake run with a vert extension in one bowl.

A few of my other favorite skate parks were in Ft. Lauderdale; they were Skateboard Heaven, Skateboard USA, and Paved Wave in Cocoa Beach because it was the first park I skated.

Q&A continued below>>>

Who was your first sponsor and how did that come about?

There was a Surf and Skate trade show in Melbourne that I went to, it was a good day for me; three sponsors picked me up. The owners from Flite Skateboards out of Rhode Island were looking for skaters to sponsor. The owners went to the Indian Harbor Beach Skate Park and saw me skate and asked me to join their skate team. Also, I got picked up by Tracker Trucks, and Excellarator Wheels!

How did your family respond to your skateboarding addiction?

My Mom and Dad were both totally into it; we lived across the street from the beach, so all we did was surf-n-skate.  We built one of the first big vert half pipes in Florida in our backyard. Back then there was no such thing as flat bottom.

The ramp had a ten-foot transition with two feet of vert, no flat.  Skaters from all over the county came to skate that ramp. When the movie Skateboard Madness was filmed, they came to my house to shoot some of the footage. Another good day of skating!

When did you turn PRO?

I turned PRO in 1978 for Flite Skateboards, that’s when I started traveling a lot.

Who were your major competitors during that time?

My first PRO Contest was at the Kona Nationals. I skated against Tony Alva, Jay Adams, David Hackett, Mike Weed, and Shawn Petty.  There were so many good skaters back then I couldn’t fit the list of the skaters on this page. Shogo Kubo, Chris Strople, Mike Folmer, etc.

Did you ever want to leave Florida for California on a permanent basis?

No, I have always loved the East Coast and Florida has always been my home. I have some good friends that I have always skated with here.  When I traveled to California it was always great, I learned new tricks to bring back east, but I always looked forward to coming home.

To me, Florida was different; we did not have skate parks on every corner or the magazine that would give you a lot of exposure.  We built all of our own ramps; most of them were in the middle of the woods hidden by trees. You had to LOVE SKATING, just day after day of pure skating with your friends, to me that’s what skating is all about.

Q&A continued below>>>

The shape of your model is fish-like, when did you come up with that design?

I believe it was around 1985. We were skating Sun Tree Ramp (which we built), back then it was a nine-foot transition with a foot and a half of vert.  I got the idea for the hooks on the front of the board when my hands kept slipping off from the sweat when doing airs and the hook on the tail was for slides hooking your toe or heel to keep the board sliding with you.

The board was designed for function; it was so different a lot of skaters did not know what to think about it. I will say, “It was a fun board to ride and a lot of good skaters use to ride them.

When did Lake Boards come out?

I started Lake Skates in 1987. I came out with ten different skateboard designs with graphics and ten skateboard designs that I called “Lake Naked Decks” no graphics. We had t-shirts, stickers and grip tape.

Lake Skates grew really fast in a short period, it was hard trying to run the company, manage the team, travel doing demos and contests. It was one of the most enjoyable times I had skating.  Skaters were so loyal back then and committed to whom they skated for, we had a killer team.

You’ve had some injuries over the years; I remember an ankle injury you got at the St. Pete Ramp back in the day. I believe one of my best friends, Joey Foronda’s mom was your doctor at the time, how are you today and what kind of and what other setbacks have you’ve experienced?

Yes, that was in 1984, the ankle break was really bad, the entire ball and socket were broke off and in two pieces, they pinned my ankle back together. They told me there was a possibility that the bone could die and I would end up with a clubfoot.  But I was lucky, and everything healed and I was back skating in eight months.

I was injury free until 1996 when I tore my left rotator cuff in a little four-foot concrete bowl doing a layback slide. I had surgery and was in physical therapy, which kept me from skating for about a year.  Then in 1997, my first day back at the skate park I put my right arm out to break a fall and tore my right rotator cuff, surgery again and another year of no skating.

Then I had another great run with no injuries until 2006 when I slammed on a hip-hop invert at Olliewood. This time the left rotator cuff was detached, this injury was worse than the first two rotator cuff injuries, but the recovery from surgery and physical therapy was quick because I knew what to do this time, especially how important the physical therapy was with regard to regaining use and strength.

Then in 2007, I detached my left biceps, surgery and physical therapy again, and I was back skating within two months, no big deal this time.  Then in 2008, riding a mini ramp, I locked up on a rock to fakie and slammed on my right shoulder.  This time I had a detached rotator cuff and torn biceps, so surgery and physical therapy, again.

Thank GOD for good doctors, they just keep putting me back together, the doctors know that the injuries I have sustained will not keep me from skating, I am addicted. I have been back skating for about three weeks now, the beginning of June. I have been skating Olliewood once a week and hope to come skate the Tampa Red Bull Ramp soon.

You are a very determined soul, motivated, aggro, focused and energized. How do you get the steel you have in your belly, to get back on your board?

That is an easy question for me to answer, “ I love to skate, and it is in my blood and has and will always be a big part of my life”.

Where do you skate frequently and with whom?

I have been skating at Olliewood; it’s one of the only vert places in South Florida left to skate. Some of the local skaters that I skate with at Olliewood are Mark Carpenter, Andrew Murray, Dan Murray, Chris Griffiths, Kurt B., Lloyd G., Fion and Junior (Lake).

Q&A continued below>>>

Do you have a preference, Ramps or Pools?

If I had to choose, first vert ramps second flow parks and third would be pools.

Who are your all-time favorite Florida skaters?

My all-time favorite Florida Skaters are Lonnie Reiter, Mark Wilson, Mark Buncy, Dr. Bona, Mike Cruz, Mike Frazier, Kelly Lynn, Chris Baucom, Monty Nolder, Junior (Lake), Brad Baxter, Chris West, Chuck Laguana, and Pat Love.

Looking back, would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, is there anything in your skateboarding career you’d have done differently?

Maybe of moved to California long enough to make some money. Staying on the East Coast there just wasn’t enough opportunity to make the money a skater could make living in California as a PRO skater. Otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing; it’s been such an awesome experience. I have skated through the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and now the 2000s. WHAT A TRIP IT HAS BEEN!

You were selected to the Florida Skateboarder Hall of Fame, a very big deal, how did you feel when you were selected?

It was a surprise, there are so many good skaters in Florida, and for your peers to vote you in is a great feeling. All of us who have skated and stayed here on the East Coast skate because we have a passion for it.

It was great winning contests and getting my picture in the magazines, but what I have enjoyed the most about my life skating is the bond that comes with the people I have met through the years. It’s an honor to be in the Hall of Fame, and thanks to Steve Marinak for making it happen.

Q&A continued below>>>

What skateboarding advice do you have for all those young skaters that will read this?

Don’t be afraid to train and workout to make your body strong so you can skate to your best potential. Also, so your body can handle the big slams and so you are able to get up and continue skating.  Don’t ever get an attitude because you skate better than someone; be humble because you are the lucky one.

Today, you can make a good living from skating, so if you love to skate and it’s in your blood go after it.  Most important, skate because you love it, though the years you will develop lifetime friendships.
Always remember, no pain, no gain!

What does the skate future hold for Mark Lake?

The same as it has always been, more skating, maybe a book.

Anybody or company you’d like to thank at this time?

Thank you to my daughter Marlee, my Dad and the entire family for all their years of support. As for the others, the list would be too long, so anybody who I’ve skated with and all my past sponsors, and Coping Block for letting me share some of my experiences from skating.  Skate Fast, Skate Hard!

Help support Coping Block Skateboarding Magazine by sending your gift to Coping Block Skateboarding Magazine, P.O Box 13012, Saint Petersburg, Florida, 33733.

THE 2020 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 8.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT the 2020 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

CLICK HERE TO SEE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame selection committee announced an impressive array of outstanding individuals to be inducted into the 2020 Class of the Hall of Fame.

The 2020 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and Sports Awards will be held Friday, May 8 at the Cocoa Beach Country Club.

The festivities include a meet and greet with the area’s sports royalty beginning at 6 p.m., and the dinner and induction proceeding will start at 6:45 p.m. and includes compelling video tributes of each of the inductees.

The 2020 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction event, and the 2020 High School Breakfast of Champions recognition awards, are sponsored by Health First, Erdman Automotive, All Points, Clear Choice Health Care, Savings Safari, Friday Night Locker Room and Rock Paper Simple.

The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame includes an impressive array of outstanding individuals to be inducted into the 2020 Class of the Hall of Fame.

Dozens of nominees were considered in four categories including professional sports, college sports, high school sports and amateur sports.

Special honorary recognition will also be bestowed upon individuals and teams that have made significant contributions to sports on the Space Coast.

Space Coast Daily created the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and has so far inducted more than 160 of Brevard County’s most outstanding athletes, coaches and sports personalities.

Serving on the committee are Space Coast Daily President & Publisher Tom Palermo, Vice President Giles Malone, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo, Managing Editor Zach Clark, the Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson and Orville Susong, former Health First COO Larry Garrison and Amateur Athletic Union Vice President Rusty Buchanan.

“The list of inductees for 2020 induction include athletes and coaches everybody knows – and some that may have been forgotten with the passing of time,” said Tom Palermo.

FOR INFORMATION about the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, or to make a reservation, e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com or call 321-615-8111.

SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Tim Wakefield talks about his induction into the first class of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020

• PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Jamel Dean, Football; Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Wrestling; Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Football; Mark Lake, Skateboarding; Juwaan Taylor, Football

• COLLEGE CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Derek Hamm, Football; Paulette King, Basketball; Dylan Lewis, Soccer; Melanie Murphy, Softball

• PREP CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Lexy Denaburg, Volleyball; Apryl Bigham Nickson, Swimming; Andi Sellers, Soccer

• AMATEUR/RECREATION CATEGORY INDUCTEE: Peter Blount, Track & Field; Karina Villegas, Sled Hockey; Caylor Williams, Wrestling

• COACHING CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Sean Ballard, Wrestling; Doug Butler, Cross County and Track; Aubin Goporo, Basketball; Gerald Hodgin, Football; Bill Sinclair, Softball; Don Smith, Basketball

• SPORTS DEVELOPMENT INDUCTEE: Loren McClanahan

• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT INDUCTEE: Clint Hurdle

• SPORTS OFFICIAL INDUCTEES: Ted Ruta

• SPORTS JOURNALISM INDUCTEES: Steve Vaughn

• SPORTS AMBASSADOR AWARD INDUCTEE: Congressman Bill Posey

• CHALLENGER AWARDS INDUCTEES: Brevard Special Olympics

• TEAM OF THE YEAR: 2019 Satellite High Cross Country

• LEGACY CHAMPIONS: TBA

• SPECIAL TRIBUTE: TBA

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

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