Fricis Strauss part from Clockwise video “Get Sh*t Done”. Unique street skatings skills from one of Latvia’s finest.

Words: Jan Kliewer | Intro: Madars Apse

Whiskey Fritz got his nickname from Wes Kremer right after he landed his first handrail trick and the photographer gave him a bottle of Whiskey for that. I guess that’s not necessarily his nickname, but it’s easy to remember, right? Anyways, Fricis is an artist just like his mother, to me he is inspiration as his passion for life is endless. He is always down, You know what I mean? I usually tell my friends he can go on a trip with a Euro and come back with ten. He also skates with the speed of a jet plane and a confidence of a tank! Big Up people, for Fricis comes through with some RAW skateboarding from the deepest streets of Riga, Latvia.

Hey Fricis, tell us a little bit about where you’re from and what got you into skating?

I am from Jurmala, Latvija but now I spend more of my time in Riga working and enjoying the good times with my friends.

I need to say thanks to my family who put me there when I was 8 year old. I started with snowboarding and then 4 years later my next neighbor started skateing and doing hip-hop when I was 12 – some of the best memories. Best think to do in small town! My first board I got from my mother’s friend who gave me a rough and super oldschool slalom board, just cruzing around all summer. Than my father bought a street board and my skateboard life got on its way with my town friends, that was the best childhood memories that’s for sure!

Describe yourself in three words

Peaceful, communicable, strange.

Best thing about living and skating in Latvia?

I like my friends’ vibe out there, it’s fun to be there just skate, film and create something ”one love” its the best thing to do. Spots there are so interesting you just need to open your mind and all the city is yours, just go shred and enjoy the city. It’s rough but also some legit spots… ”small NY” hehe!

»The shop is just a small thing behind a real skateboarding vibe«

Best fun fact about Clockwise shop?

Woow, hehe there is so many of them but the funny fact about this shop is we are just friends who skate and made something, with out sponsors and the shop is just a small thing behind a real skateboarding vibe, we just trying to make local scene bigger with couple boards, and shoes in the shop. But I hope  in the future we well be stable and we will be on fire!

Best thing to check out visiting Latvia?

Gtiim skatepark that’s fo sure, but for really all Latvia is full of beautiful Places you need to check Riga, Jurmala, Tukums, Saldus and many other places. It’s full of good spots to chill, just let us now!

Best place to visit with the Clockwise crew?

Prague.

Best kept secret about the Clockwise video?

The guy who made the film is Toms Bika.

Dream Haircut? »Hehe, long hair, don’t care!«

What’s your worst habit?

It’s hard for me to get home to see my family!

Dream haircut?

Hehe I don’t know, long hair, don’t care!

How do you get up smiling almost every time you fall?

Lucky because I’ve never hurt myself… that’s it!

Next thing you gonna do when you’ve sent this back?

I gonna get new board from my homie, fix a truck and fix a window in my job and the get a ticket to Jurmala to see my family !

Watch the whole of Clockwise “Get Sh*t Done”here.