Franky Morales is perhaps an embodiment of the modern skate legend. He employs a style that is nothing but a fuck you in the face of physics and conventional style. He appears fast and loose, seeming more at ease in the middle of a massive rotation than he does with his wheels on the ground. Despite the loose, fluid appearance, he throws this into paradox when performing one of his unnaturally creative switch ups. More often than not, slow-motion is necessary to process what has unfolded on the tiny youtube box/screen in front of you.
Franky began skating at the age of 12 at a time when the sport was still teething. The sport was evolving and it was just as fluid as his style. He recalls coming 5th in the beginners at his first competition; in his own words; “I remember seeing all the older guys and thinking I can't wait till I’m that good. Also remember doing a big front flip and front siding everything i could”
His first sponsor was Fritz Skate Shop when he was only 14, providing him with free skates and paying for him to enter competitions. Louie Zamora, Aaron Feinberg, Josh Petty and Dustin Latimer were named as some of his biggest influences.
Brian Aragon’s Hidden VG 22 section is his favourite edit. F.O.R. 2 and 14 Massacre are his favourite edits among his own. Being featured as a character in the game Rolling, is his proudest achievement. He has received pro skates from both Rollerblade and Remz. As well as being one of skating biggest names, he has also made a career out of his music, as well as being a co-owner of Renegade Bearings and M1 Urethane.
Franky was born in Miami, grew up there and currently resides there.
Name: Franky Morales
Nickname: YuckYukem
Date of birth: 08.03.1983
Hobbies: Rapping.
Sponsors: USD, M1 wheels, BladerGang, Jug, Psyko Clothing and FM Shoes.
2011
- 5th place at Chaz Sands Invitational Pro (Park) - 5 star event
- 5th place at Fise Pro (Park) - 5 star event
2010
- 9th place at Fise Pro (Park) - 5 star event
- 10th place at The Panhandle Pow-Wow (Park) - 5 star event
2009
- 7th place at Barcelona Extreme (Park) - 5 star event
- 4th place at Chaz Sands Invitational Pro (Park) - 5 star event
- 9th place at Fise 2009 Pro (Park) - 5 star event
WRS Uploaded 2012 is in full effect. Over the next three weeks top ranked skaters from the WRS and recognized bladers from all over will show off their skills in 60-second edits. A fan favorite will be crowned and six judges will pick the final winner. We let co-organizer Daniel Kinney shed some light on this fresh video-contest.
Man, look at the size of that jump. It’s like a super-mega ramp with a gap. 900…900..1080? What is this, freeskiing? Not even close. The danger factor just got amped up one thousand times. As if you didn’t know already from what we’ve shown, if you missed out on Air FISE Marsielle, you made one of the biggest mistakes of your life. If you have been following, you already know. Either way, it means you are thirsty for bangers. So, back to that super-mega ramp. Think you have what it takes? This is a do or die situation. You don’t clear that landing and you’ll be sipping out of a tube for the next year. So, why don’t you just sit back and see what Aragon, Morales, Haffey, Godenaire, and some friends have been up to. Don’t worry, we won't tell anyone about the drool on your keyboard.
While the rolling community celebrates Chris Haffey's world record jump, more and more clips of the Air FISE are popping up on the net. Below you can view Franky Morales lacing a super clean 900 over the Mega Jump. Additionally, we discovered another clip from Romain Godenaire that reveals the real dimensions of the ramps the pros are dealing with here. However, Romain over-rotated this huge flat-spin and accidentally landed in the flat. According to Freddy White from www.frenchyfries.fr Romain is doing fine again. As soon as we have more information about his health status, we will let you know.
After a long period of building up anticipation Chris Haffey went for the big one last night at the FISE experience in Marseille. Chris Haffey took the World Record with a spectacular 30 meter long jump! It took weeks in preparation until the final moment had arrived. Being who he is Chris Haffey not only pushes the sport in creative stuntman like tricks but now has decided to leave his mark by breaking records! Check out the video here. Enjoy the madness...
In a few hours (8pm) the big show will start. Chris Haffey had his final rehearsal this afternoon. Everyone is excited for tonight! Are you ready? Come back on be-mag to find out how Chris Haffey did on the world record.
Yesterday each rider had the chance to test the FISE big air ramp, except those that didn't dare to do it. Yeah, this jump is a serious business as you can see in the pictures below. The riders kicked off the session with a 'small' gap (10 metres). Chris Haffey was kind enough to share all his Mega Jump experience with the other attendees. The riders entered the ramp one by one. Their initial fears have been quickly forgotten: Straight after landing the jump they wanted to be back in the air. Jumping a ramp like this is not an easy task: You have to be fully focussed, even the smallest mistakes aren't allowed here. After a while the riders started to feel more comfortable to this new setting and therefore their jumps got bigger and more risky. This test session made us all pretty excited for the Friday show. To be honest - the world record attempt looks really scary. Only god knows if it's possible. Stay tuned for more action tomorrow.
More and more rollerbladers are entering the Air FISE venue in Marseille to check out the location. But the FISE staff is still working hard to prepare this massive course. We just have to be a bit more patient until the who's who in Rollerblading can roll on these massive ramps. Stay tuned for more updates.
The Fise Team arrived early in the morning to prepare the event venue. But what's the deal about the Air Fise event? Compared to the other Fise events the AIR FISE is not a competition, it's a show. Rollerblading plays an important part in the show. Additionally, we have an own area for wakeboarders which is a big pool set up in the Marseille Ice Ring and equipped with huge FISE ramps. On the other side of the ring there will be a new and exiting ramp set up for the rollerbladers. Brian Aragon, Franky Morales and Chris Haffey already arrived in Marseille to check out the location. French Riders Kevin Quintin, Romain Godenaire and Mathias Silhan are also on site and will enter the course today. As you might have seen on the Air Fise teaser the Air Fise will be the platform for another highlight: Chris Haffey will to try to break the world record for the longest jump. Stay tuned for further updates.
Waking up after a Thursday night in San Diego is tough to do but Mikey Roman, Tim Franken and I hopped onto “The Beast” early Friday morning and headed to Long Beach. We were on our way to the A Chosen-Few Finals in Los Angeles, which was scheduled for Saturday. So we decided to swag out early and head to Long Beach for the day to meet up with Erick Rodriguez and skate some local spots.
What a dork! Mike's passionate about culinary arts, a great personality amongst friends, and has a positive influence on anyone that comes in contact with him. Did I mention he's a dork?
New Bladergang edit by 9to5Mixtapes just surfaced, check it out! Dat ender! The edit features Erick Rodriguez, Franky Morales, Korey Waikiki, Rachard Johnson, Ryan Many, Coco Sanchez, Brian Aragon, Geof Leyva, Julian Bah, Mike Murda Johnson, Ranier Piramide, Dre Powell, and Chris Haffey. Filmed by Erick Rodriguez, Rachard Johnson, Armando Colunga, Jeremy Soderburg, and Max Manning, edited by Erick Rodriguez.
Franky Morales strikes again. Filmed and edited by Erick Rodriguez of 9to5Mixtapes.
Unreal, almost absurd skating by USD pro Franky Morales at Paramount Skatepark. Filmed Erick Rodriguez and Rachard Johnson of 9to5Mixtapes.
USD compilation edit featuring team members Richie Eisler, Demetrious George, Franky Morales, Nick Lomax, Worapoj Boonnim, Jeff Dalnas, Montre Livingston, Mathieu Ledoux, Jeremy Soderburg and Chris Hack.
Daniel Prell skating a rail in his new Franky Morales USD Carbon 3's. Filmed by Harry, edited by Prell!
Franky's new 14th St. edit just dropped, check it out! Filmed by Erick Rodriguez and Rachard Johnson, edited by Erick Rodriguez!
Check out Erick Rodriguez' 2013 edit, filmed by Rachard Johnson, Franky Morales, Jeremy Soderburg, Dre Powell, Ryan Many, Jordan Baez, Armando Colunga, Geof Leyva, and Matty Watky.
A new #bladergang edit just appeared, featuring Julian Bah, Dre Powell, Korey Waikiki, Mike Johnson, Erick Rodriguez, Franky Morales, Montre Livingston, Ranier Piramide, Chris Haffey, Ryan Many, Coco Sanchez, Rachard Johnson, Brian Aragon, and Geof Leyva.
Another 15th St. Massacre with Montre Livingston, Jeremy Soderburg, Damon Franklin, Coco Sanchez, Anthony Gallegos, Keith Hubbard, Rachard Johnson, Mike Murda Johnson, Franky Morales, and Erick Rodriguez. Produced by Erick Rodriguez and Rachard Johnson of 9to5Mixtapes.
USD sent Matthew Wattkinson out to Cali to film with the US Pro squad for 2013.
After Chris Haffey's solo mission a couple weeks back throughout California here comes the Yuckem and Woodster cruising the beaches and swamps of Florida from the Panhandle Pow Wow 5Star WRS competition in Pensacola to the pristine clear waters of...
Remz just can't stop touring. So far Remz has realized three big tours this year: one through Germany/Holland/Belgium, one through California and one through Florida which ended just some weeks ago. Now Remz will be back on the road again ex...
The Air Fise 2011 Rollerblading and Wakeboarding competition hits Palais Omnisports in Marseille, France on December 9th. Why is this going to be such an epic day? Well, other than the already expected great skating, we get a chance to see Chris Haffey make an attempt at setting a new world record. He claims to not only go for it, but stomp the landing and make it legit in the world's eyes.
Skater: Franky Morales
Trick: Freestyle Bs Backslide
Photographer: Paul Imperio
Location: Brooklyn IMYTA
Not sure if this place has an ER so if you get hurt they still might kick you out...
