Notis

Give us a little background on yourself.

I’m Notis Aggelis, I’m from Thessaloniki in Greece – that’s where I grew up and have been skating most of my life.

How’s an average day in Thessaloniki?

It’s pretty chill these days. Usually wake up, skate, try and film some stuff. Go to the bar at night, have some fun… you know the drill. It’s really hot and hectic here in summer right now, around 40 degrees. When we go on summer missions it’s pretty savage, way too hot – full sunstroke vibes. Winter here however is amazing - you can skate pretty much every day as it doesn’t rain that much here in Greece.

How would you describe the skate scene in Thessaloniki?

It’s pretty small to be honest, we don’t have any skateparks or anything like that. There are maybe 30 skaters in the city, it’s not a big scene but we all know each other - it’s a nice family vibe. In Athens, it’s a much bigger city and a much more vibrant skate scene. I feel like in Greece in general the scene is getting bigger, teams are coming here on missions and local crews are seeing that, getting hyped and inspired to do their own thing which is dope.

What have you been working on recently?

We’re working on a new Screw Loose video with my friend Mike. Screw Loose is a hardware company I started with a friend of mine, we’ve been running for about five years now, making a lot of VX videos but now transitioning into HD. It’s all a work in progress…

Tell us more about Screw Loose.

As I said, we’ve been going for around five years now. We do hardware and a bunch of clothes which is great as we make it in our friend’s local factory. We’re all friends working together, that’s the best part about it. Sitting together, throwing ideas together – it’s fun. We have a space where we do pop up stores and people come to see the products and buy stuff - it feels good!

How do you find the rewards and challenges of running your own brand?

It’s not a huge brand – but it’s challenging sometimes. In Greece there aren’t a ton of skaters, and those that do skate don’t have a ton of money so it’s not the best market, but we’re really grateful when they do show support and buy stuff. I would say we mostly sell outside of the skate world.

It’s really rewarding when people show up and back our stuff. It feels super nice when you see someone wearing your clothes on the street or when you release a collection and people give you props.

The best though is being out on missions with the crew filming videos. That’s what it’s all about. It keeps us busy. I like that.

What inspires you in skateboarding?

Honestly, I love skateboarding so much, it all inspires me - everything I see is an inspiration. This last trip we did to San Francisco really, really made me fall in love with skateboarding again. Martino, Willow and I went to film and just had the best time. So inspiring to skate with those guys, they really motivate me. That love for skateboarding is the most important thing.

How would you describe the vibe within the Vans skate team?

I’ve had some of the best times of my life the past years riding for Vans. On missions, in the van with the boys – there’s nothing like it. It’s so good, constant laughs. It’s a beautiful collection of humans. Filming for Where is Tom has been a career highlight for me, non-stop good times. So many special moments, a real highlight was Pfanner’s mum Frieda cooking the most incredible food for the squad. Such a vibe.

Favourite Vans shoe to skate in?

I like the Crocketts a lot – that is what I wear right now. I have to say though the Half Cabs are always a classic, I’ve been wearing them for years.

Any last words?

Tell your friends you love them.