In the Know Iain McLeod - 06/04/25

Iain has been my best friend for a long time now. No matter what he has always been there and always down to kick it, skate, drink, party, or do whatever. I?ve known him for so long but it is a mystery what fuels Iain on his skates. Iain is freakishly good at skating. He doesn?t learn tricks anymore. He thinks of something to do, whether it has been performed for the first time or countless times before, and will land it perfectly first try. He?s got you (and your mom) on drop rails, ledges, flat rails, gaps, spins, stunts, and switch-ups. You name it, he?s done it, switch and natural. I love this kid. He has been my best friends since I can remember. If you don?t know now that Iain is one of the best skaters in the world, know this now.

- Connor O'Brien

Check out the short edit Connor edited for Iain's "In the Know" article.

1.) You've been pretty faithful to your sponsors throughout your career while a lot of others jump ship at the drop of a hat. Do you think it's important to support those who support you or are you just REALLY comfortable with your sponsors?

Iain: Yeah. I think it's definitely important for people to support the companies that support you. When I joined Deshi it worked out good for me, and I was already a part of Second Regime so it was cool getting to skate more with Randy and Louie and be a part of both teams. It's not really devoited to switch sponsors every other month. Its just flaky. But still I've had to switch a few times, so I guess sometimes people just need to find whatever theyre comfortable with or what makes them happy.

2.) Is there any secret to the I-can-land-any-trick-I-want-first-try steeze beyond skating every day?

Iain: Well I definitely can't go land any trick I want first try. But I had a discussion about this one time with Connor O'Brien a while ago about being able to land a certain trick. We were skating and he said, 'k, im gonna go for this trick, and im either gonna land it this try, or get really fucking broke.'� That makes sense to me. I try to think about this when I go skating and just fully commit to something. We'e BAMF's (bad ass muther fuckers).

3.) What up and coming skater is going to breakthrough big-time in 2006?

Iain: Ehh people always mention there friends on this but I'll just say Winston Wardwell. He's from San Clemente. He's amazing. Watch out for him cause he'll be blowing up forsure. Either that or he'll kill himself while skating.

4.) We all know you really get amped off your music. So what's playing on your I-Pod these days? What's your favorite song to skate to?

Iain: Yea I become kinda addicted to it lately. A lot of different rock and rap songs. No one in particular though, just random different songs.

It's always changing cause I get sick of the songs and change them everyday. I actually broke my shuffle the other day cause I got so frustrated I threw it, so I guess I'm music-less for a while, hah.

Someone was pointing something out to me the other day, and I realized while I was skating with music I wasn't hanging out with my friends.

I'd just be zoned out the whole time and wouldn't talk to anybody till we left the spot. I think that's part of the fun in skating, just sessions with my friends and shit talking and jokes in between. Maybe I'm done with music for a while. Still, it's tight to go to the skatepark with my shuffle when no ones around and feel like its my own music video hah.

5.) Do you have car is so do you drive to spots and what car is it?

Iain: Yeah, I live in orange County, so that pretty much means you have to drive to skate spots. All the spots are spread out everywhere so having a car around here is a necessity. I have a black Mazda Protégé 5 hatchback. I haven't done that much to my car. My brother has a Mazda too he's done more stuff to his. Eventually im gonna do a few things to it though.

6.) If you could learn one trick, what would it be?

Iain: If I could learn one trick? Hmm I dunno really. There's just certain tricks at certain places I wish I could do. There's this gap in SC I landed but really sketchy, and I been there twice in the last 2 weeks and I keep getting broke, I wish I could land that hah. And this double set in SC I tried to forward 7 it a little while ago like 10 times and I bruised my heel. A lot of gaps I want to do mostly.

7.) How long did it take you to learn all of the insane spins that you do on handrails?

Iain: I learned all my tricks on my play rail at home or at Mike Leafs house on his play rails. I can't even imagine how many hours I've spent skating play rails. That used to be my favorite things to skate, and start box rails. I learn most all my tricks on ledges first and then try it on rails.

8.) What is your favorite company your sponsered by, and which one trats you the best?

Iain: My favorite sponsor is Deshi. They've done everything for me. I've had so many good memories from them. The Deshi Europe Tour was one of the best times ever, the Catalina helecopter trip. ive gotten to travel, and do a lot of things most people don't get to do and im real thankful to Randy and Louie for everything they've done for me. Also I got a pro skate so that's pretty sick hah.

9.) I've liked your skating for a while now especially your US section keep up hte good work man for the past 4 years of my rolling life, i have looked at you like a god. when are you going to be dropping a new section, and if you could add one fresh thing into your sections what would it be?When's the next Iain McLeod section comin out..?? I've been wantin to see a new one for a grip now, because I enjoy watching you skate.

Iain: Thanks :). I have a ridiculous amount of clips right now I just been saving. A Deshi video was in the works a while ago but because of some team changes it didn't happen. But its beening planned out again right now. I been filming everyday right now for Zack, Brent Henderson, and Connor O'Brien's new video 'Teach Them Well'. It should be real sick. Lots of footage from Az, and Ca. It will be done and out soon. I also been skating with Carl Sturgess and Jeff whenever I can, so look out for Carl's new videos im always in those.

10.) How long have you been skating? How often do you still skate, we haven't seen much of you in any recent videos?

Iain: I skate pretty much everyday. I go to school now so it takes up some time but im always skating. On the weekend I usually go places to skate, or Connor and some friends come down and I been skating with them. Theres like 5 free skateparks around me, one of them my brother works at, so during the week im going to those a lot. My friend just got a generator and some lights so we've been having some crazy night sessions lately. It's fun. I just been laying low but saving up clips lately for my next section.

11.) Hey Iain, I've got a few questions for you. How old were you when you first started skating?

Iain: Probably like 7 yrs old.

What motivated you to start skating? Thanks Alot

Iain: I moved in Junior High and the first friend I made showed me the other side of skating. I haven't stopped since.

What were your first aggressive skates?

Iain: ­The first M 12s. I got them on my birthday I was fucking way juiceed.

And were your parents supportive of your skating??

Iain: Yea. My mom bought me my frist skates but they never really took it seriously until I got paid and started going on tours and stuff. They still, even now want me to concentrate on school. You can't do it forever, but I will be skating for a long time.

Be-mag would like to thank Iain for taking the time and answering these questions.

Photos: Clayton Woodley

Tags: carl sturgess clayton woodley connor obrien deshi iain mcleod in the know teach them well