Name: Nick Dompierre
Birthplace: New Bedford, MA
Resides: New Bedford, MA
Years skating: 8
Music: Everything
Last skate magazine looked at: “Fastest Street Car”
Last video you saw: Fallen Video
Favorite video: Welcome to Hell
Favorite place to travel to: Europe
Favorite DC’s: Biltmore

BIO
A heavy hitter for some time, Nick Dompierre is the newest east coast recruit on the DC team. Hailing from New Bedford, Massachusetts and known as a serious gear head (he drag races a blue Iroc-Z when he’s not skating), Nick’s skates fast, and he’s got really smooth style especially on big rails and down big gaps. 2006 was breakthrough year for him—two covers (Thrasher and Slap), a part in the Real video, contest successes, and and a TWS nomination for Street Skater of the Year. The next year he turned pro for Real, and the rest, as they say, is history.

What’s up with Barry Bondo, and how does he fit in your crew?
Haha, I think Barry Bondo is cousin's with ANNNDAYYY. He really helps out with skate spots. Makes them smooth and perfect. Thanks Barry Bondo!

You got any more stories about your boy Big John?
Whenever i hang out with John there is a new story to tell. Kid is nuts, but a good friend. First off, he is 100% sober, doesn't drink or smoke. He probably has more fun than anyone. The other night we all had a little party at my house and he was the light of it. From spiting freestyles to doing the backward worm dance—fuck he is nuts. Yeah John!

I was going to ask you about being a gear head. A lot of people say you’re one. Is that a good description of you?
Well I guess you could say that. I'm super into wrenching and going fast, man. There isn't anything else like it. It feels awesome to build a car by yourself and see what it can do. Plus it’s cool when you get complements on the car, like when people ask what shop built it and you can say you did it.

So calling you a gear head is pretty accurate. Is there anything else people call you?
I have been called a centaur before (laughs). Ernie called me out on that.

That’s a pretty crazy hobby you’ve created for yourself: racing cars. How did you get into it?
Well when I got my Camaro, it was my first car. I got it when I was 16. It was just stock. 305tpi/700r4. I would drive it around and beat the shit out of it. Then one night I drove by a Dunkin Dounts, where there were a bunch of cars in the lot. A couple Mustangs and Camaros with slicks and skinnies, ready to race. It caught my eye; I was like hell yea. So I hung around there and would wait for people to setup a race. Then I would follow them and watch them. It was so bad-ass. That made me want to be fast. Now I’m in the crew racing with them.

Ok, so you’re a thrill seeker. Does the adrenaline rush you get from racing compare to anything in skateboarding?
Yeah, definitely! It’s identical. When I'm at a skate spot and trying to get myself to go for the first attempt, I get the nervous feeling in my stomach. But I just go for it anyway. Once you get the first one out of the way it tends to get easier. Same goes for racing. When I’m at the starting line at the track I’m super nervous to. [It’s] only for the first race—just like skating a new spot for the first time.

2006 was a pretty crazy year for you, with the two covers as major highlights. Whether it’s self induced or otherwise, do you ever feel any pressure to relive or better that year?
I don’t know man; I just skate. I don't have any goals or anything. I think it's easier to just go have fun with no pressure. That’s when I feel good and get tricks.

Any immediate thoughts on getting on DC?
Yeah, I'm real stoked. Everyone at DC is awesome. In the office and on a skateboard, they got their stuff on point.

How did you hook up with DC?
Josh Kalis approached me a long time ago about riding for DC. It was when my shoe first came out on Adio, and it just wasn't the time. Then some things changed, and it was never the same afterwards. That is what made me make the move.

Who is your favorite skateboarder?
I got a lot of favorites. I'd say Chris Cole is probably top. He's a well-rounded skateboarder that can skate anything. I really look up to that dude.

Who are some of your favorite guys with Deluxe?
I don’t really have a favorite for DLX. Everybody is awesome over there. It’s rad. I’m so stoked to be a part of DLX. I don’t think I would be where I’m at right now without the help from those guys. Thank you!

You skate contests here and there. You always have good style too. How much do you think judges take style into account in contests?
I have no idea man. I just skate and try to do stuff that others don’t do. That’s what makes a trick stand out a little more, rather than a kickflip over the pyramid or feeble on a flat bar. You just see that a lot in contests.

Do you ever change your style when you do contests?
I'm just myself.

If you could change one thing about skateboarding, what would it be?
Make the old new again.