Jon Fromm Interview

Look Out World

Ahead of his appearance in the forthcoming Razors amateur team video, we catch up with Jon Fromm to find out how he plans to see everything there is to see.

2012 is gearing up to be a big year for Jon Fromm. At the time of this interview, he had just finished filming for his section in the as-yet-untitled Razors amateur team video and he seems pretty happy with the footage he has collected. Considering the Florida native has build a reputation for making hurricane and 360 grind variations on handrails look terribly simple through various online edits, it is a little worrying to consider the kind of jaw-dropping feats he must have accomplished in order to satisfy his self-administered high standards. In addition to his section in the follow-up to Steal The Video, which is arguably one of the best amateur team videos to date, the 22-year-old will be making several more appearances in the next twelve months, as he is currently filming for profiles in two independent videos. Plus, the year is still young – he could get more offers.

Over the past four years, Fromm has gradually progressed through the ranks of the US scene, delivering consistent performances at national competitions, and he is now widely-considered one of the most talented amateurs the country has to offer. Until a couple of years ago, he was representing Valo through regular online edits but, after sensing that the company was beginning to go in a new direction that did not include him, Fromm made the decision to part ways with Jon Julio and took the opportunity to join the Razors flow team. It looks like things have worked out for the best, as the company seems to appreciate Fromm’s strong work ethic and ability to put out high quality online videos with alarming regularity. Could this be the year Jon Fromm breaks free from his amateur status and proves his worth a world-class street skater? It looks like we will soon find out.

Wheel Scene: Hi Jon. Let’s start off with a few easy ones. How old are you, where are you from and how did you get into blading?
Jon Fromm: I am 22-years-old and I’m from Boca Raton, Florida. I got into skating at around 11-years-old. I had already been rollerblading, playing street hockey, and my friends told me about some skatepark near my house. I went and checked it out one day, and saw these kids with aggressive skates. I was immediately hooked, and it’s been history ever since.

So you have been at it for a while now? Who are you riding for at the moment?
I am currently riding for Razors, Create Originals, Scribe, Jug and Asphalt Beach Skateshop.

That is quite a selection. I know that you were on the Valo flow team for a while. Why did you decide to move from Valo to Razors?
I knew one day somebody would ask me! Well, here it goes: Let me just say my time with Valo was amazing. I can’t thank Jon enough for the opportunity to ride for his company. It was my first real shot in blading. About two and half years ago, skating began to go through a little change and it seemed as if Valo was changing their image. Their image was important to them, and I felt that I wasn’t really the “Valo” type. Over time, I started to feel more excluded from the team and I even emailed Jon about it to see if he really wanted me to ride for his company. I assumed he was just super busy because he never got back to me, so I really didn’t know what was going to happen. About two weeks later, Mac from Razors hit me up. I was riding for Ground Control through my shop sponsor at the time and he asked me how things were going with Valo. I told him that it was not going as well as I would have liked and he said if I ever wanted to try Razors he would send me a pair. I thought about it and, finally, I just decided to go for it. I wrote a long “thank you” letter to Jon and parted with Valo. Within a few months, Geoff Acers started getting me skates and more exposure came with them. I haven’t looked back since, and I can’t thank Razors enough for what they have given me.

Did Jon Julio ever get back to you after you sent him the “thank you” letter?
Unfortunately, he never did. Jon is a busy guy, so I’m sure it got mixed up with things. We still always say “what’s up” to each other at events, so it’s all good. I can’t thank him enough for giving me my initial start.

I understand that you are filming for the Razors amateur video at the moment – how is that going?
Yeah, I’ve been out to Cali twice to film for it. It’s been going really good. My part is about wrapped up. The video is going to be incredible – so much diversity throughout our team. I think everyone will really enjoy it!

So you’re going to have a section in the video?
Yes, and I’m super stoked about it!

Who is making it? Do you think it will match up to Steal This Video?
Phillip Long is making the amateur video. He has done an amazing job so far – super professional and an awesome dude to be around. Steal This Video was a classic – it’s always hard to compare a video to a classic! But I think this video will open a lot of people’s eyes and showcase something new and exciting!

Are you filming for any other projects at the moment?
Yeah, I just finished a section with my long-time friend Alex Beaupre. I have a section in his video, Hope Dies Last – the teaser can be found on Vimeo. The video is set to come out at the end of January. Also, I’m filming a section for my friend Frankie Terranova of Central Florida Rolling for his video Feel Good Feel. It should be out sometime this spring.

Are you working or studying at the moment?
Currently I’m studying here in Florida. I am going for my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

A degree in electrical engineering? That sounds pretty interesting. How much longer have you got to go and what would you like to do after you graduate?
I took after my dad; He got both a Masters in computer-science engineering and electrical engineering. Technology fields are what I enjoy, so I went that route. I have about three semesters left until I graduate. I’m not really sure what I will do. I want to skate as long as possible and live out this dream. It’s a once in a lifetime thing but you always have to prepare for the future, which is why I go to school. I would love to do something with planes, though, work with Boeing or Airbus. I’m always so interested in new planes and their technology, so I think I would work well at a company like that.

What other interests do you have apart from rollerblading and planes?
I’m really into travelling. I know it comes with blading sometimes, but I love going places, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and just being away from home. The world is a big place and I plan to see the whole thing – or as much as I can!

What is your local scene like in Florida? Are there any other bladers down there that we should be looking out for?
The scene is really tight down here. We have our ups and downs for sure, but the scene has been coming together recently with Wednesday and Thursday night skates. As far as up-and-comers, there are a lot of real good young kids popping up at the skateparks. I’m starting to see a few of them have that drive, the drive I had when I was young. No one specifically yet, but I think you will be seeing some new young faces in the coming years!

Do you want to give any shout-outs?
I would like to thank all my sponsors, Andy, Geoff, Mac and Matt from Razors and Sunshine – thanks for giving me my opportunity this year! Thanks to Dan Fabiano for making the best wheels (Scribe) and being a great friend! Hakeem and Brian from Create Originals – I can’t thank you guys enough for the support. Steve from Asphalt Beach, thanks for helping me with whatever I need. To all my friends, there’s too many to name! Thanks for the good times! To the two photographers that shot this, Kyle Strauss and my main homie Edwin Omar, thanks for coming out and putting in work! To Phillip Long, Alex Beaupre, and Frankie Terranova for giving me sections this year and for putting in all the hard work! To my parents, Fred and Charlene Fromm, thanks for putting up with me all these years – love you guys! I’ll hopefully make you proud some day!

Words: David McNamara             Photos: Kyle Strauss and Edwin Omar