How Eric Dressen Met World Champion Misugu Okamoto! What I'm Riding | Santa Cruz Skateboards

If there is one thing we are certain of, it's that Eric Dressen knows skateboarding. He turned pro in 1987 for DogTown Skates, and became one of the biggest names in legendary style, Dressen has acquired a fine taste in skateboarding. When Eric first met Misugu, he had guessed she was on the Santa Cruz International team from all of her SC gear. When Eric learned Misugu was buying it all, he immediately called SC Brand Manager Andrew Cannon and Ricta Brand Manager Steven Troullos to make some calls and get Misugu properly hooked up! Misugu has since gone on to become a World Champion winning eight titles IN A ROW! Join Misugu and Eric D as they tell their tale of blossoming friendship, epic skateboarding, and lending a helping hand.
👉 Misugu's setup:
8.0 VX Deck
139 Independent Trucks
56mm Ricta Wheels
Bronson Bearings
Mob Grip
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Follow Eric Dressen on Instagram!
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Filmed by Trevar Cushing!
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Edited by Eric Danescu
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WATCH Til The End Vol. 5 on THRASHER HERE! 💥
• Santa Cruz Skateboards...
Santa Cruz Skateboards, located in Santa Cruz California, was established in 1973 by then owners, Richard Novak, Doug Haut and Jay Shuirman who founded NHS Inc. Santa Cruz Skateboards has long been revered as one of the original skateboard companies that has not only survived over the years, but contributed to the innovation and modernization of skateboards and skateboarding. From the beginning, 'TIL THE END.
Santa Cruz Skateboards Team: Blake Johnson, Emmanuel Guzman, Eric Dressen, Erick Winkowski, Fabiana Delfino, Henry Gartland, Jake Wooten, Jereme Knibbs, Justin Sommer, Kevin Braun, Maurio McCoy, Steve Alba, Tom Asta, Tom Knox, Tom Remillard, & Yndiara Asp.
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[@surfb4work1]

This is why Eric Dressen is my favorite skater. What a great dude!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Absolute 🐐

[@bigteej8366]

What a cool story. I love the paying it forward. You can tell Eric is proud of her.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

If ERIC DRESSEN is proud of you, you must be doing something right! Or everything 😳

[@Skateboardingofficial]

We love you Misugu Okamoto 😍

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

❤️

[@sdhaskell]

It's weird, i grew up skating SC decks in the mid 80's - 90's, and guys like Dressen, Salba, Roskopp were idols, legends, and role models. 30 years later, here I am, mid 40's being once again reminded that my childhood hero's are just genuinely rad, loving individuals. Makes me feel proud to have recognized the inner souls of these dudes, and not judged them as dirty skaters the way peers of mine have. Keep up the good work SC, much love to Eric and the entire crew. Thanks!

[@tylerlacroix6036]

She was so close to getting podium and it kinda broke my heart when she cried after she missed that last trick, but shes only 12 so shes got a lot of time to get even better, and she already kills it, so hopefully this loss is just more fuel for 2024

[@tennisone6376]

shes 15 next time will be already too old miss her chance

[@goddessmerveille783]

Again, WERE YOU EVEN WATCHING. What I saw was way beyond "winners and losers." All the girl skateboarders proved it all night in Tokyo. Sky Brown said it well when she declared that she "came to Tokyo to skate with my friends." THEY MEAN IT. Misugu Okamoto did what skaters were born to do, to not back down, not even .001% and charge that sh*t 100%, no matter the cost. Skateboarding doesn't need the Olympics, the Olympics needs skateboarding. The Olympics came to HER and all her predecessors, like Dressen and so many, many others before him, and after Misugu. And then got taken to the woodshed. "Go home and get your shine box." It was beautiful. "You had to be there," is what the surfers say but it has so much deeper a meaning. It means don't show up unless you are willing to learn respect and live it every day, an unspoken code that goes back to Hawaiian royalty and the roots of roots you can't even see that allow us to live on an island surrounded by mother ocean. Misugu says it all on her social media, which has a total of five words to it. "I Skate. Not an instagrammer." You play soccer, you perform gymnastics. Boxing? YOU BOX. Skateboarding is like that and then so much more. No rules, no coach, no limits. And no one wins when someone else loses. We all fall, we all get back up. Together. I've already said too much secret stuff here. Just sit down and watch closer, my friends.

[@tennisone6376]

@@goddessmerveille783 the ones that didnt win lost, dont really get it

[@goddessmerveille783]

@@tennisone6376 yeah, you don't get it. and girl skaters know you don't get it. And we don't care lol GO SKATE AND CREATE

[@TheManPromised]

@@tennisone6376 sakura yosozumi is Olympic champion at 19

[@commandZee]

Dressen's a mensch! Misugu was the best park skater in the Olympics; ripping fast getting mad air, reminded me of Christian Hosoi!

[@kentakeura1617]

Eric Dressen is such a cool dude! still after all these years, when I think of "Santa Cruz" - Eric Dressen is always the one to come to my mind - A pure LEGEND and a fantastic ambassador of the sport!!!!

[@mc540flip]

So sick! Eric seems like such a good dude-always a ripper. She also rips!🤘 Right on Santa Cruz

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

They're the best ❤️🙌

[@jaewan234]

I love Misugu's varials. So powerful and consistent 👏 I agree she should've placed on the podium. She did a varial 540!

[@darthsk8ter480]

When you have judges that don't know Jack shit about skateboarding thats what happens

[@jaewan234]

@@darthsk8ter480 i am not completely sure, but I think the judges were skaters. I heard Renton millar was a judge.

[@iamphilclark2695]

Dressen man, what a legend!

[@radchad666]

Dressen is rad, what a sick story. Passing it on...

[@MarcoEckhardt]

That's what skateboarding is about. Eric is a legend helping super talented Misugo to get where she needs to be. Was really bummed when she only almost landed her final kickflip Indy in the Olympic final - so damn close to winning a medal. What an absolute shredder she is and her flow + style just make it look so easy. Definitely one to keep your eyes on for the future!!

[@lophloph07]

Eric Dressen... legend.. such a humble dude.

[@zackfleisig7932]

Been following Misugu for awhile now, it is crazy to see how much she has done to progress the sport at her age. Also, her airs are so sick.

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

I’m getting a skateboard. I’ve wanted to do it for a long time. Both watching Okamoto and this guy who is maybe older than me, it’s so encouraging.

[@user-sy2zj3xu7s]

The Speed and the Power she showed at the olympic finals were unbelievable… too bad she bailed but watching her skate was pure joy to me!!! So good.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

She skates so fast! We will be seeing plenty more Misugu in the near future

[@oscarmanrique5054]

For me , Misugu always Gold Medal 🏅. Good speed, altitude, and actitude.

[@dieseldabz7104]

For all those compliments to come from a skate OG and true Legend like Dressen himself should mean the world to anyone and I'd hope it did with her as well. Can only imagine how good she'll be in a few more yrs with the right people in her life helping her progress and hopefully remain injury free. Edit: Oh and nvm how awesome those 5 sponsor's are to have. Same companies I've been skating and supporting since the 80's myself and just hitting 43 in January.

[@scrappyhustler7467]

I actually had the pleasure of meeting Eric not too long ago during the summer at a local to him 1 hour for me skatepark and damn can he still carve and ride very well for an older guy and my son was sessioning the bowl in between rounds awesome down to earth guy and called my son a rebel never forget that good times!

[@sangyenamdrol9392]

This is why skateboarding is the great sport of all time. Touches the heart to hear and see the story. Love like father and daughter given birth by skayeboarding.

[@envyuno9899]

Eric is a class act hands down my favorite skater

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

One of the best to ever do it! 👑🙌

[@envyuno9899]

@@SantaCruzSkateboards yes he is

[@davidristic3800]

Eric has always been a great dude...one of my favourites for like 35 years....

[@timmybrown250]

This is why I love Santa Cruz man damn.... in fact this is why I love skateboarding ❤️

[@camilojantti3789]

That story is so rad!!! I'm so glad the women are killing it on the skateboard 🛹 🙌 👏

[@siropderableskateshop763]

this edit spread love ! sweet ! (and we love Dressen !!!)

[@guinee1974]

Supercool from Eric. What a dude. And Misugu deserves it.

[@FIRSTGOENTERTAINMENT]

Almost made me cry have she got on all the brands. 🥺❤️💯

[@MarcS4R]

Eric is such a nice guy. a true legend

[@Wladislav]

It's insane how fast she goes and how much air she can achieve. The future is very bright, indeed.

[@rigocardenas5365]

Eric is such a great person, and misugu has technical abilities that rival the men. Her 540 was way above coping her varial 5 and varial backside put her on a totally different level. She has speed and control and her landings are solid. She has a rad future two of my favorites indeed

[@saulgood2548]

Eric Dressen is inspiring generations.

[@chrislarsen1033]

Well done Eric way support the next generation of skaters!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Paving the way for the next generation 🏁💨

[@titancheat]

Nearly an all Japanese podium. So much young talent in skateboarding. Thankfully they got to compete on that stage.

[@mathisk8life]

Awesome!!!

[@nitrojunkie9027]

Dressen is such a stand up guy man

[@dreamchaser7554]

you make the history with her together. Cool. man

[@eden1597]

Much Respect

[@gabriellaforce2041]

Sick story!!!

[@daverodrigue9198]

Wow !!! just Wow !!!! #legend

[@205WILD]

So rad!

[@SeniorMojo]

she was sick in tokio! keep killing it

[@thomaspreszcator]

This was awesome

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Epic story! ❤️

[@stevee.7419]

Payin’ it forward.🍻

[@Skateboardingofficial]

Awesome 😍

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

She sure is 🙌

[@brianscott5455]

Love to see stuff like this Nhs is the best

[@williammadray7818]

What a legend!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Both of them are! ❤️

[@riikza]

Misugu should be podium at the Olympic. She has the best trick other than contestants. She is the best risk taker than other. Good luck for the next tournament Misugu

[@drawwithbeektor6329]

Eric seems to actually be fighting back a year at the end just talking about how awesome she is.

[@slimnics]

Beautiful

[@johnpark888]

Wish my family would have suported me when I was younger! Ftw

[@jimmys1219]

Sc, oj, independent, mob, bronson are my favorite brands

[@CK-fs5tn]

みすぐちゃん、最高！！ ドレッセン最強！！ みすぐちゃんを、vansがスポンサーしてほしい！！

[@davidbarrus6542]

Been riding Santa Cruz skateboards since 1976

[@Jacob-vb4zv]

Yeah misugu

[@Miguel-jk7qq]

Cool

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Misugu is the coolest! 🙌

[@JoeKyser]

The rider who loves the equipment is definitely the one you take care of. How could you go wrong with Santa Cruz?

[@elmercyperro]

Dressen is so cool

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Absolute coolest

[@marcelboogaard3809]

When Dressen wants you on NHS you’re on.

[@jakethesk8roberts763]

Man I saw her rippn dude she shreds so hard

[@crispcaddy3064]

Yeah I cried

[@davidbarrus6542]

♥️

[@wiiroifco2]

Misugu Misugu 応援しているよ 頑張ってね

[@vigor60cs]

👏👏👏✨✨✨

[@goddessmerveille783]

The essence of skateboarding is a fusion of two things: progression meeting passion, under pressure. Misugu Otamoko is both the distillation and the explosive propulsion of past-and-future skateboarding. TEN SECONDS of seeing her skating is enough for any serious skateboarder to know and recognize she is the real deal, all killer/ no filler. I hope the IOC and NBC brought their wood screws because she blew their doors COMPLETELY OFF when she and her friends all laid waste to Tokyo like the devil spawn of Godzilla run amok. They SHUT IT DOWN which is why these ladies are 100% girl skateboarding. That WAS the Jesse Owens / 1968 raised-fist "Olympic moment" and they all did it by SCHOOLING the Olympics. Skateboarding IS falling. And falling is the part right before you get back up and go again. "4th place" is right of first refusal not to stand on a volunteer slave auction block. "Were you even watching?" is what I keep having to tell people. The whole world just got schooled on why skateboarding is _never_ a competition, even when it's proffered as one. She was "robbed, then mobbed" and carried off a field of HONOR by the only people alive fit to judge her, HER FRIENDS and fellow skaters!!! Mahalo plenty Dressen, Santa Cruz, and especially Misugu Okatmoto and her crew. ありがとうございました

[@TheManPromised]

Does anyone know where she is today? she completely disappeared after the Olympics. i'm still hopping for a comeback

[@tadashi6381]

101A, such hard wheels. I'm old, I ride soft ones lol

[@75YBA]

MAKE MINE DRESSEN! MAKE MINE MISUGU!

[@vincent6670]

rip'it up Eric D!

[@aaronwetzel1981]

eric and his lil buddy

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Under Eric's Wing! 🔥

[@david_blomquist131]

❤️💛💚🎁🎁🎁 Patinar O morir 🐱

[@stephenross4435]

best female shredder I've EVER seen, kickn ass b*tchs

[@user-nk7ys1vg1d]

あなたが世界一

[@coborin]

戻っておいでよーパリにまだ間に合うんじゃないかな。

[@aaronwetzel1981]

sad seeing her pound henrys fist

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

EHG♾💜

[@aaronwetzel1981]

@@SantaCruzSkateboards thanks to some of the Santa Cruz guys for coming here to Minnesota for Henry's memorial.

[@7zforce]

She got robbed at the olympics. Her run and varial mctwist were better than Keegan Palmers.