If there’s one thing I love (and hippo’s too) its skateboarding.  Since the age of 12 I’ve been calling people posers, shopping at Hot Topic and trying to land a kickflip.  Back East recently, a good friend of mine told me about a project a fellow friend of his was working on called Enola Skateboards.  Hand made, hand craft, kind of in line with the whole homegrown, home brewed  spirit of things.  Anyways, here’s an interview with Mr. Ben, the founder, shaper, master crafter of Enola…

Your name?
Ben Vaughan

When did you start rollerboarding?
2001

What is Enola, what’s your role in it?
Enola is my skateboard building project that i started right around Christmas this past year. I guess you could say i am the builder, shaper, and designer, but my dad helps out alot which is pretty rad.

Where did you come up with the name?
A friend of mine and i like to hang out at this small little secluded island on the James River here in Richmond. Enola is what we named the island (its alone backwards if anyone doesnt notice that). But it turned into a state of mind more than anything. The true definition of Enola is a worry free, relaxed state of tranquility in which nothing matters except what you have in front of you. So with alot of thought, and opinions from friends I named this project Enola.

Why make your own boards?
Well on of the reasons i started doing this is because our mutual friend Nick told me that there is tons of info online on the board building process, and when i looked it up I kind of became obsessed. It just seemed like a really enjoyable thing to do. I have learned that building a board with your own hands, then skating it is one of the most authentic feelings you can get in this world. Thanks Nick.
If I cut out a assymetrical shape on some 7 layer plywood, would I have a rideable skateboard?
Haha could potentially be rideable, but probably certain to be sketchy.

I see, well how do you craft up Enola boards (the process if you will)?
You take 7 sheets of maple veneer. Five of which the wood grain goes length ways, and 2 width ways. Set them up in the proper order (2 length way veneers, width way veneer, length veneer, width veneer, then 2 more length pieces). After that you evenly spread glue on all sides of each sheet except for one side of your outer veneers. Slap ‘em all together and throw them in the mold/press (I use a concrete mold). Take it out after 24-48 hours, let it sit for 24 more, then cut the specific shape you want to achieve, drill truck holes, then seal it up with lacquer. Then most importantly, SKATE!!!!

Whom taught you these skills in carpentry?
Props all go to my dad on this one, he has been wood working all my life. Grew up around it and learned a little bit when I was younger, but never really understood the passion until this project.

Have you cut off any limbs yet, if so, how many?
Just a few, maybe two or three here and there. Wal-mart has a pretty good selection though.

Which in your mind is more enjoyable, building a board or riding one?
They both rule, but i would have to say skating, always enjoyable when you’re out skating with friends.

Music you enjoy?
Aesop rock, Sound Tribe, Wale, Immortal Technique, Brand New, MGMT

Have you ever eaten a Crunchy Scrimp Taco?
Cant say that i have.

Biggest peer for you in the skateboarding culture?
Probably Nick, we both have similar skate style which helps us to push each other. But i cant forget Scott, he doesn’t ride skateboards but you have never seen anyone ride a pair of old school roller skates like this kid.

Shoutouts to the gang, friends, ladies?
Yeah I’d like to thank some people, my family of course, and Scott, Jim, Dave, Tori, John, Nick, Wassum, all the girls of Meadow and those that associate there (haven’t seen ya’ll in forever miss you guys), and the wife of course.

Have you seen Herbert. C Hippo?
Not in the flesh, but I want to for sure.

and where in your opinion would a Hippo hide?
Under a pirates eye-patch.

Thank you Ben, and Enola for your time and answers! Please contact us if you would like any of your boards stress tested via a large water dwelling mammal.
Thank you Kevin, and Herbert, hope to hear from you guys soon.  And Herbert is always welcome to ride an Enola skate.

Big Thanks to Nick and Ben for making this interview possible.  If you are interested in learning more about Enola, Ben or his project, send him an email over at  enolaskateboards@yahoo.com