Interview with Thanos Panou of Antiz Skateboards
Thanos Panou
interviewed & photographed by Christos Yiannaki
Additional photo by Fabien Ponsero & George Voudias
Intro by Christos Y
Whatever it is, Thanos is the man for the job. Whether it's fixing the run-up for a spot or some touch ups on a ledge, he always comes through with his "quick thinking and creative solutions". See, it even sounds like a company motto. Yet, from the plenty of DIY-spirited individuals that the skateboard world undeniably has, I think those qualities distinguish Thanos out of many.
He is a true life-hacker and I always learn things from him. Another quality that I respect him for is straightforwardness, cause it can open doors but can get you into trouble, too. One time in Faliro, I even saw him casually, while eating a sandwich, move a boat that sat in front of a spot. In addition, find him the gnarliest, most psycho, Ride On Grind or kinked hubba - still the man for the job. Like one friend did for Thanos to have his ender in the "Misinformation" part.
I already had all of the above as an idea of who he is, but it seems he levels up his game, in both fronts, every time we meet. That is, thankfully, more than once a year, lately. This time, we spent two weeks in Athens and Cyprus, one with Antiz and one with Indy Europe. I'm telling you, in Athens, even though the sessions and spot hunting lasted from morning 'til 8pm, he was still down almost every night to go at his friend's photo studio for a paint job on the backdrop he built for him.
Therefore, on the last day of the CY tour, while he was packing to get to the airport taxi, we managed to catch up. During that week on the island, of course, we didn't pause for a minute to do the interview cause of the shitload of spots CY has to offer and the never-ending missions. Again, early 'til late at night. And after dinner... it was beer session, equally important. So, this – more or less – conversation was left for the last minute. Let's call it a last minute chat with a friend.
You're the first Greek skater who has his name on a board from a company outside of Greece. Explain what this means. Does it mean you're rich now?
[Laughs] No, it doesn't mean that. It's a nice recognition that came over time.
Jokes aside, cause that was a funny question. At the moment, do you manage to get by only with skateboarding?
At the moment, yes. I have Antiz Skateboards, Vans, Volcom, Independent and Slut Boardshop on my side! All my favorite brands, they make it so much easier for me to keep on skating.
Let's talk a lil' bit about modern skateboarding. With social media and all that, the way people skate has changed a bit. What's your opinion about illegal tricks?
Which illegal tricks? Benihana, for example?
In general, you see more of these tricks now with social media.
First of all, I believe that the term "illegal tricks" has always been around. For example, benihana has been considered an illegal trick since long before social media. It's just that now most people can easily link with what tricks are cool and what tricks are a bit wack.
Since Cyprus, in particular, never had any magazines, something that I noticed is that the idea may be also based on how a trick looks printed in a magazine. It's like what (Jeff) Grosso said: an Indy Grab, you have to grab the board behind your back foot, on vert at least. I think it has to do with how a trick looks in a photo.
Hm, I agree. I never thought about it like that, but what you say sounds logical. Regarding magazines, it's the same in Greece. We used to have them, but it's been a very long time since we had any.
And you think that in Greece, too, you see skaters that need time to get into that mindset? That a trick has to look stylish as well.
Yes, but I notice also that it's in each one's understanding to define what style or cool mean for them. There are skaters that don't care if their execution is good. They care to be as gnarly as it gets. There are others who don't care about anything, not gnarly…nothing. They just want to skate. Everyone understands style differently. That's what is cool about skateboarding. There isn't a specific way to do it. Even though, going back to what you said earlier about social media, trends are more out there. To explain, it's easy to know which skaters are hot right now. With the media, it all becomes more reachable.
Tailstall to Grind, Nicosia, Cyprus
Regarding filmmaking, now, cause I know you're a filmmaker, too…
I'm not really a filmmaker. I'm a video editor. I don't identify as a filmmaker. For the Slut Boardshop Video, I've done it... I've done it before in my life, but it's not really like that.
There are a lot of skate videos coming out now and sometimes you see gnarly or good skating but with shitty music and editing. Could you, as Thanos, enjoy a video part where there's good skating but the editing sucks.
No, I couldn't. I believe that it plays a huge role. I would say that there are layers. It starts with the filming. It has to be filmed really nice, cause we've seen really bad filming, even though we know what the best way to capture a certain trick is. On the other hand, this isn't objective.
...I agree, there are rules you can break.
Yes, the point is for the trick to look nice. Then, another layer is the editing, which is very important.
Ollie to FS Wallride, Piraeus, Greece (look ma', no hands!)
Isn't everyone bored of a skater who does the same things over and over?
Let's switch it up. Would you consider yourself a skate-nerd, let's say, a skate-geek?
Yeah, I would say that in a small proportion, or big, I am a skate-nerd. Dude, I don't think you can be involved in this thing and community without being a skate-nerd. What it means, I'm completely up to date with what good has come out lately, I've watched them, I discuss about them with my friends. And as a matter of fact, this gives you hype to learn new things and always present new versions of yourself. For example, isn't everyone bored of a skater who does the same things over and over? To change your skateboarding, how are you going to do it? By watching your friends or, even more easily, by watching the best pros in the world.
So, you like to be influenced and up to date. I had this question written down, but it was cemented by a game with skate-terms we played in Athens and by seeing you, here at the hotel, be the one to ask the team "who's your favorite skater", "who's your least favorite" and so on.
Yes, and you've seen it yourself. You can't be involved in any way – like, for example, as a professional skater, filmer, video editor, or photographer – and not be informed. Information is a weapon.
Exactly. Now, about the way you skate. You're known for skating risky spots. Some of your Ride On rails / Drop to rails, especially, come to mind. I'd like to ask what's the motivation behind these tricks. Is it adrenaline? Is it that you want your trick to be seen and shake the skate world? Or is it the paycheck, the sponsors, too?
First of all, sponsors, money or anything like that was never the motivation for me to do something good or hard or something that hadn't been done before. Motivation for me is to always do different things. Because, I find being repetitive boring. It's still skateboarding to do a trick that's already been done, for example, a ledge trick. But, for me, there's magic in showing something that's unexpected.
What about the risky part, though? A local CY skater – who used to skate big stuff already, then had back problems and pretty much quit – had told me once that if he had a paycheck on the line he would've been going even bigger. Do you find this point of view completely wrong?
I don't find it completely wrong. It's just that, because I hear it too often from friends, people close to me from Greece and abroad, it's a statement that pisses me off, dude. It shows that your motivation doesn't come from within you. For sure I understand, if you get paid there's one more reason why you have to deliver. In the end, from what I see on tours, even skaters that get paid a lot just chill. So I'd say, eventually, it's a matter of character. There are people who get paid really good money and still don't realize they're lucky to be here, as there's a shitload of other rippers out there. They just live the tour life without trying much.
For me, it was the first time hearing such statement. I hadn't imagined that you hear it regularly.
Switch Rainbow Grind, Paphos, Cyprus by Fabien Ponsero
Years pass and it's a pity if you're young and you've got skill, but you keep saying "Hm, I'm not going today for the trick. Maybe tomorrow". Then tomorrow becomes a week and a month.
Something cliché, meaning, an interviewer could easily come up with this question for you. They call you with an army term. Is it general? Is it commander?
It's the general, I suppose. [laughs in the background from Marco Kada]
You already told me earlier who was the first to call you that. Danny Wainwright. When was that?
8 years ago.
And then DVL (Davy Van Laere) sticked to it. I'd like to tell you that I have great respect for you for trying to keep everybody motivated, you know, for the reasons that you've been called a general. Although, some people may find you uptight or strict. I heard it before from someone, not mentioning names, that you're too serious. What would you reply to them?
Alright, maybe this comes from my love for skateboarding. Other than that, it surely comes from my character. I like to be efficient. For instance, I can't let time pass without taking advantage of it, just doing spot-tourism and, in the end, not skating at all or getting any clips. Maybe this is why some people find me strict and, probably, all this is against their own character. They may be looser or see everything as a way to have fun. It's just that, at the end of the day, you have to present a video part and if 1-2-3 years pass and still you don't have a solid part in your hands...
What would you say to these people?
Think about it. After all, isn't a bit strictness, focus and organization needed?
To deliver and be proud of yourself.
Dude, I always say that years pass like that. Years pass and it's a pity if you're young and you've got so much skill, but you keep saying "Hm, I'm not going today for the trick. Maybe tomorrow". Then tomorrow becomes a week and a month. During that time, other skaters like Tsaga (Alex) would've already gotten ten tricks, would've already finished their parts.
Alex Tsagalidis - Kickflip on a street pyramid spot uncovered by Thanos, Athens, Greece
A bit about music. Recently, I opened an old Greek skate magazine and in there you'd suggested a rap album. Was it Jay Z or Snoop Dogg, I don't remember.
OK. A rap album? Crazy. The magazine must be really old.
[Laughs] Yes, it was. What do you listen to, currently? We saw a lil' bit what you played on your speaker during these tours. But, what's your mood or vibe, currently?
I'd say that, over time, I expand my musical horizons. My mood lately or these past months... I'd say, I discovered Rowland S. Howard and Warhaus and leave these here as a suggestion for anyone who wants to listen to good music
I liked the word "expand" right there. Also, your debut pro board on Antiz Skateboards was inspired by the classic film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". Was it your idea?
No, it wasn't my idea, but I'm glad that that was my first pro model, because I find the film iconic and it suits (the board graphic) really well.
Are you a film enthusiast? Hit us with your top 3 movies of all time.
Of course. They're "Pulp Fiction", "Snatch" and "Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?" from brothers Coen ["…and Harry Potter", Marco Kada says in the background, laughing.]
Tailstall to Boardslide, Athens, Greece
Alright, to wrap up the interview, something for the locals. What do you like most about Cyprus and what do you not like?
I can't find anything that I don't like. I wish I'd solved all my financial issues and come here to live quality life, eat good food, enjoy amazing weather, skate all these amazing spots. To all the Cypriots, especially now that all this architectural blossom is happening, it's a crazy opportunity to get out there and skate street, put out video parts, have everyone in Europe be like "Wow! Where's this new place?". And I'm sure that slowly-slowly Cyprus will become one of the hot spots in Europe for skate trips.
So, skateboarding is a driving force to bring you back here again and again.
Skate, sheftalia (local dish), the people. People like you that are so motivated. I always think that I have to be close to people like you to make the community stronger and inspire the others.
Cheers! I appreciate you saying that, because when you invest so much time and energy into something it's nice sometimes to get validation from people. I'm sure that you know that, too.
Of course.
And the last question I told you yesterday I was going to ask. What's your favorite Cypriot quote?
Ah, it must be the one you told me the other day. As soon as I heard it, I died laughing.
What did I tell you, though?
You have to remind me, dude. What did you say? Wait... We turned the master into... We turned...
"*We turned masturbation into a science." Not sure if I'm going to include this. [laughs]
Oh, right. "We turned masturbation into a science." Indeed, it's too funny cause it's very satirical.
*A Cypriot quote, if the translation is right, that's said when people, many times including the speaker, turn a relatively simple action or conversation into a complicated matter.
Looking equally impressive from all angles
Thanos w/ Kostas Mandilas and Christos Yiannaki shot by George Voudias
November 2019, we organized the opening event for Nicosia Skatepark and invited Vans GR riders
It was Thanos' first time in Cyprus
The interview was recorded beginning of February 2024 in Limassol, Cyprus, and then translated from Greek and transcribed into this written form.
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