Nasir Roumou - Skater
Introducing one of the London skate world’s hottest prospects - Nasir Roumou! Fresh off his first signature deck with Blast Skates, Nas aka Nasquik is crafting his own super fun and unique skate style and on the path to big things! We caught up with the incredibly talented yet humble young man at the spot where he first became transfixed with skating, Stockwell Skatepark.
Videography by Hedley Marks. Photography By David Wren and David Novak.
How did you first get into skating?
When I first moved to the UK, my grandpa used to take me around to just get familiar with the area, he happened to take me to Stockwell a lot. I used to just sit outside and watch everyone skate. Eventually it peaked my interest and then I’d say a few years later I started to try and skate.
What are your early skating memories from those times?
Just being in awe. Wishing I was in that position, of some of the people actually skating. It’s funny looking back it feels very surreal. Going from the person that’s seeing it and really wanting to indulge in it - to becoming the one that’s engrossed in it.
What does skating mean to you and how does it make you feel?
I’d say it’s all about self fulfilment. Starting off it was surreal and mesmerising to watch others do it. Then you start off with little goals and the more you carry on and it gives you an instant sense of gratification. You start off with little and then you build your way up and then eventually you get to a point where you feel comfortable just going around doing your own thing.
The way you can look at it is like escapism in a way, because everyone has their own reason. Over time it’s just something I really came to enjoy. Starting off it’s kind of odd to fit in, but it’s really inviting - so you feel distant when you start but that encourages you to get into it.
Any skating idols?
Yeah! Tons! So many I can’t even name them cos honestly we’ll be here all day. Literally just all the people I grew up skating with. They just all really helped me understand what I should be doing. In skating it’s really cool because everyone want's to imitate so hanging around with certain people you pick up certain things, and certain tricks and traits and you just go around and pick up all these things until you start to mould it all into your own genre.
How is the London skate community?
It’s cliquey at times for sure, but it’s pretty healthy. I think it’s good to have these cliques about because it’s something you aspire to be. Watching those people and then actually getting to meet them and you go from place to place and you happen to bump into someone you saw from a video. In the UK specifically it’s very tight-knit. It’s wide spread in it’s covering but it’s just one very large community. A lot of people know each other.
Do you have a clique of your own?
Pagans in the Mist crew, in Croydon. Just a bunch of really close friends, and we all skate Wandle so it’s really nice. I see them practically every day. Skating, eating, skating, eating and all the in-between. Literally just going around Croydon! That’s all we do!
What are your favourite London skate spots?
Have to rep the home court, Wandle! I love Stockwell, Stockwell is really cool. I mean that’s where I started. I’ve built a good rapport with everyone there. They've really taken me in and helped me. Shown me the ropes.
Do you think there is a link between skating and fashion?
Oh 100%. I think it definitely goes hand in hand. When you dress a certain way, you feel a certain way. And that definitely shows in the way you skate as well. You’ll just know the type of person, just based off the clothes they wear. In skating right from the get go you’ll see someone wear a specific outfit and be able to gauge the personality straight away. Ye it goes hand in hand!
What is your own personal style?
I switch it up pretty frequently. It’s funny because about the first month or so of skating I had so many different outfits and wardrobe changes, trying it all honestly just to fit in. And then you get to a point where you don’t really aim to fit in, you just become who you are, and people accept you for that.
Where did the name ‘Nasquik’ come from?
I’m literally the biggest chocolate milk fanatic you will ever see. Genuinely that’s one of three things I like to drink. It just fits well with my middle name. Put two and two together and it sounds pretty cool!
Have you seen a change in your skating knowing you have the backing of Blast Skates?
Oh ye defintely. As of late, seeing that there are people that aspire to be me, which is weird because I don’t even see myself in that light. It’s weird to hear little comments and people coming up to me telling me they appreciate my skating, honestly just the weirdest thing to me. I never thought I would get anywhere close to that, so it’s just, once again, surreal.
I used to sit and literally cry over and over again just to land one trick. And then I would get it and be unsatisfied because I would realise there’s a lot more to learn. It’s never ending. You always try and chase the next best thing, but it’s so hard to catch because there’s something new to learn every day. You have to love the process!
What’s your aims and goals for the future?
Honestly, just see how far I can get. I didn’t think I would get this far if I’m being completely honest. I’m just very grateful. As of late it’s been extremely overwhelming, but overwhelming in a good way. So I just want to keep going and just work with a lot of people, and keep doing what I love. That’s the way it should be, I don’t want it become a job at any point, or become too structured. It shouldn’t be scheduled, it’s just one of those things that’s almost habitual. It’s just a part of me.
And finally… What does Wonderland look like to you?
Just getting to a point where you can do what you want and your passion project is all you do. You can just indulge in having fun and feel positive from it, and just work on yourself and develop and grow.
