It’s been a long time_Fabio Montagner x FVTVRA_video & interview.

Coming out from the Italian north east, Fabio Montagner has been on top of national scene since early 2Ks. Strong, focused, professional: he’s a man of not many words, but when you are out on a mission with “Monty” you can bet a million is no wasted time. The fine tricks in this part, released as a Welcome to the Team for FVTVRA Skateboards, are just a selection of a true gold mine, that’s been dug in the last 4 years of filming and ripping. More unreleased footage will be out soon and more is gonna be filmed. Yes, because at 28 years of age, Fabio is nothing but still progressing in taste, style, tricks and determination for breaking new barriers.

[vimeo width=”750″ height=”422″]https://vimeo.com/185034026[/vimeo]

2016 was a year of great changes regarding sponsors and life in general for you.
I had always used Emerica ever since I started skating, I had never tried a Vans shoe! Apart from the product they give me, I know that as a shoe it gives me more quality both in terms of comfort and materials/duration. I see Vans being way more active in supporting skateboarding through events and tours (at least in Italy).

Why did you decide to ride for Vans? You went from being paid in Emerica to be flow rider in Vans…
Ha ha ha, you must begin at the bottom in order to climb up, and remember that Monty never gives up, ha ha ha.

You recently left Strange skateboards for FVTVRA skateboards. How did this decision come about, and what do you expect to come out of this project?
I think Strange skateboards shot itself in the foot over the last few years. I wasn’t perceiving much will to do things and invest in skateboarding and the company was getting lost in other things, so instead of staying on the team and slowly disappearing I decided to end it, holding on to my memories from the golden era when I used to skate with Angelo, Mattia, Barozzi, and Picozza. I preferred to change in order to find new motivation. With FVTVRA skateboards, instead of expecting anything, I just feel more motivated, there’s a creative energy and desire to skate, and this motivates me.

In 2015 you finally started working a full time job… where do you work? How does this affect your skateboarding? Are you more motivated to skate and learn new tricks now that you have less time to skate?
I work for a company that makes industrial dishwashers, I’m comfortable there because the place is ok and my work hours are good so I can skate. I don’t skate every day because I alternate it with crossfitting, which physically helps me a lot. When I do skate, I spend less time doing so compared to before, but I skate more determined and with my head. The only backdrop is that with my job I’m a little stuck when it comes to long tours, but there’s a solution to that as well.

We all know of your passion for fishing, in what way does it relate to your skateboarding? And just like skateboarding, does it require a lot of patience and hard work? What type of fishing do you do?
I fish mainly because I enjoy it and also to take a break from skateboarding. For example, when I’m out skating, having a bad day with it, instead of continuing and risking to hurt myself, I’ll just go fishing instead. Yeah, maybe I’ll cuss a lot while fishing too, but that’s a whole other matter!

Over the years you’ve been a promoter for new kids in your area. You bring them to the spots, you shoot and film them, etc… how does this satisfy you, and when do they actually get on your nerves?
Yes, a lot of new talents have come out of the Casteo skatepark, but now there’s only a few of us left because some people are studying, and others have quit skating, but there’s still some movement! Hopefully some new talents will emerge! Well, more than satisfying, I think about the fact that I too had people bringing me around to streetskate, and shoot photos and videos. It was definitely satisfying to land certain tricks in the streets, so by bringing them around, hopefully they can find more motivation away from the repetitiveness of the skatepark.

Over the years you have developed a passion for photography, and you’re even good at it. How was this passion born and what inspires you to shoot both skateboarding and other things?
Well, I’ve always liked photography, and by being around various photographers I learned the basics, and the rest just came with practice. More than an inspiration, if I like something I just shoot it, whether it’s a trick or a landscape.

Who are the most interesting kids in skateboarding in Italy now?
Hhmm, lately I haven’t seen many talents in Italy, but over the last year apart from Carozzi, I like Davide Holzknecht and Massimo Cristoforetti. I think they can go far.

What’s next for you?
Well, my next project is to get a boat, regarding everything else we’ll just see what pops into my head.

All photos_Davide Biondani.

Interview_Guido Bendotti.