USA DSA: First off, huge congrats on qualifying for the World Skateboarding Championships! How does it feel to be part of the team representing the USA at the World Skate Games?
MO: It’s an absolute honor to be a part of the team! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d make it to the big stage and get to represent the USA in Downhill skateboarding! Just trying to make my mom and dad proud, and myself, of course!
USA DSA: Let’s kick it back to the beginning. What sparked your passion for downhill skateboarding, and how did you get started in the sport?
MO: I’d steal my brothers longboard to get to school as a mode of transportation! From there it was YouTube and watching videos of people sliding down hills making it look easy! At the time of me getting into it I was 1 of 10 friends that got longboards and tried to slide and go fast! Im the only one that stuck with it and here I am 15 years later still going for the gold!
USA DSA: Every skateboarder has a unique journey. What’s been the key to your success and progression in downhill skateboarding?
MO: I live in a small mount town of 3,500 people so downhill skateboarding isn’t a thing here. The downhill skateboard community consisted of 10 riders in 2010 and then dwindled down to only 2 of us now in 2024. I had the passion for traveling and it was just a catalyst for me going to bigger and badder hills with faster and better riders!
USA DSA: Your setup is crucial in downhill racing. Can you walk us through your current board setup and why it’s your go-to choice?
MO: I ride a one off prototype racing deck with ronin trucks (45/25, 114-124mm) and venom wheels! It’s the best in the game so why not ride it?
USA DSA: Heading into the world championships, what’s going through your mind? Any specific strategies or mindsets you’re focusing on?
MO: I want to work on my push and get more comfy riding closer to people! Get physically and mentally stronger and overall just go out there and have fun!
USA DSA: Downhill skateboarding is all about speed and precision. Can you share some insights on how you maintain control and speed during a race?
MO: Focus on what’s ahead of you and never look back! Life is all about chances, so why not take a few?
USA DSA: Every skater has that one trick or aspect of the sport that took the longest to master. What was that for you, and how did you overcome it?
MO: The speed and not getting scared when I didn’t know what to do was my weakness! Knowing that I could do it and make it down safely was the only way to get past that fear. Speed is my friend and now I’ve become desensitized to how fast we race!
USA DSA: Downhill skateboarding can be thrilling but also challenging. Can you share one of your most memorable spills and what it taught you?
MO: Riding down my local mountain road, I caught my back truck on a Caltrans Car counter, and it took me into the ground at 55mph! I broke my collarbone and got head-to-toe road rash 2 weeks before leaving for the Euro tour in 2017! What I learned was never to take external risks and try to control as much of that risk as you can!
USA DSA: How has being a part of the downhill skateboarding community impacted you both as an athlete and an individual?
MO: Downhill skateboarding saved me from a normal life. The community that it holds is worldwide, and we seem to be able to share experiences with one another no matter where we meet or how long we’ve known each other! The friends I’ve met are now my closest and deepest friendships I’ve ever had, nothing superficial about them. We share real life experiences and share a lot of the same real life fears. They keep me up and I try to do the same!
USA DSA: What advice would you give to young skaters who aspire to reach the levels you’ve achieved?
MO: Take it slow, the process is what make it happen in the end. Enjoy all the pain and suffering that it takes to get to where you want to be! Keep trying and if you crash and fall, get up dust yourself off and try again! Also if you hurt yourself, heal properly before trying to get back at it! You only get one body so use it wisely!
USA DSA: Any shoutouts or thanks you want to give to those who’ve supported you along the way?
MO: Massive shout out to my mom(Jeanne), who’s no longer with us, for keeping me safe and pushing me to follow my passion! Shout out to my dad(Don) for always driving us up hills and pushing me to work hard and never give up, even when I’m down! Shout out my brother for getting me going in the longboard world, I’d never would have gotten to where I am if I didn’t have badass brother to look up to! Shout out to all the haters that told me I’d never amount to anything! We here baby, we keep making dreams come true even when it didn’t seem possible!
Morgan Owens is the 4th ranked Men’s Downhill Skateboarding Athlete qualified to race in the upcoming 2024 World Skate Games in Italy. If you would like to support Morgan and the USA Team, Donate Today.
