| Greg Lutzka | |
| Birth Name: | Gregory Lutzka |
| Birth Date: | 20 April 1985 |
| Birth Place: | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Height: | 6inchesft0inchesin (ftin) |
| Weight: | 140lb |
| Sport: | Skateboarding |
| Position: | Goofy[1] |
Gregory Lutzka (born April 20, 1985) is an American professional skateboarder.
Lutzka was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 20, 1985.[2] Lutzka explained in 2014 that he "grew up on skates," and first tried ice skating at the age of two before playing ice hockey in high school.
Lutzka commenced skateboarding at the age of nine after discovering it through his peers in the ice hockey team. Skateboarding was initially an activity that he enjoyed as an aside to ice hockey, but three years later, Lutzka replaced ice hockey with skateboarding because he "loved it so much."[3]
Lutzka was first sponsored at the age of 15 and he explained in 2014 that, upon attaining sponsorship, he realized that professional skateboarding was a feasible option for him. Volcom and Oakley were two of the brands that supported Lutzka, while he was connected with established skateboarders like Rodney Mullen and Tony Hawk. Lutzka relocated to California, U.S., at the request of his sponsors.
Lutzka was one of the original team members of the Almost skateboard deck brand that was cofounded by Mullen and Daewon Song.[4]
Luztka is a former team member of the Globe shoe company team and released one signature shoe model with the brand, named the "Culprit" (also released in a "high-top" model, whereby the length of the shoe is extended to cover the lower shin).[5] A full-length Lutzka video part appears in the United By Fate series of short episodic films that were released by Globe between 2007 and 2009[6] [7] —Lutzka's part, edited to the Justice song "D.A.N.C.E.", is the feature section of the fourth episode.[8]
Following the completion of his contract with Globe, Lutzka negotiated a skate shoe contract with tennis shoe company K-Swiss in 2009[9] [10] and, as of August 2012, continues to develop the company's skateboard area. In an August 2012 interview with the internet-based Jenkem publication, Lutzka explained:
They’re building up the program but the economy kind of took a hit right now so like every company is cutting back. Actually I don’t think they’re cutting back that much as they are just taking time to think about the decisions we make. My shoe is pretty much done it just comes down to when they want to release it.[11]
In addition to changing shoe sponsors, Lutzka left Almost to join the Darkstar company (both brands are part of the same distribution house, Dwindle Distribution). Lutzka explained his decision to change sponsors in an interview with Poweredge Magazine:
Now it’s [Almost] just a lot different than it was then; it’s just a different program now than when I was on there. When I was on there it was me [Ryan] Sheckler and Torey Pudwill. Obviously none of us are there now but to me being on a skateboard company is about who you hang out with and who you vibe with and I vibe with those dudes really well, but I was skating with Ryan Decenzo a lot and we travel a lot together because of the Maloof Cup and the Dew Tour. We also skate street a lot together and film with the same dudes. It was a good fit for me with Darkstar because I hang out with Decenzo and I’ve known Chet [Thomas] because he’s helped me with my career since the beginning, so it was a really good fit. Pierre [PLG] was always at all the events and I’m really good friends with Pierre so at the end of the day I hang out with those dudes more than anybody else in skateboarding, so it works.[12]
An August 12, 2014, edition of Thrasher Magazines "Skateline" program announced that Lutzka had parted ways with K-Swiss and joined the Osiris Shoes company.[13] While an official announcement from either Osiris or K-Swiss was not published, the Osiris blog first featured Lutzka on June 22, 2014.[14]
In a September 2014 interview, Lutzka offered advice to young skateboarders:
Skateboarding is all about having fun and having fun with your friends; it’s always been that way, and it’ll always be that way. I think that is number one. Some kids just want to get sponsored and become a pro skater, but most of the pros didn’t ever look at it that way. They just did it because they loved it, got really good at it and opportunities just came from that. Number one, to me, is just enjoying skateboarding because you love it.
As of October 2014, Lutzka is sponsored by Darkstar Skateboards, Kurb Socks, Independent Truck Company, Ricta Wheels, FKD bearings, Osiris Shoes, Rockstar, Kicker, Daphine, Footprint Insoles and OC Ramps.[15]
Following his move to Osiris Shoes, Lutzka said that he would like to be a sales representative for skateboard brands that he believes in after his skateboarding career ends. Lutzka then revealed in September 2014 that he had started a yet-unnamed clothing company, following advice from sponsors, and was also interested in real estate.
Lutzka resides in Mission Viejo, California. He moved there in 2004, after living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his mother Lori, father, Jeff, and brother Andy. He explained in 2014 that he enjoys snowboarding and playing guitar when he is not skateboarding. Lutzka concluded his 2014 interview with the statement: "I want to continue to be a good role model. Finally, just enjoy life— people don’t realize how important that is."
Following his selection in the initial round of contracts that were offered by the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) skateboard contest company, Lutzka later negotiated a release from SLS as the contract required participants to compete exclusively in SLS events. Following Lutzka's departure, SLS founder Rob Dyrdek stated: "Despite being signed to a three-year agreement we understood that the companies that are willing to pay Greg expect him to win contests. It was clear after the first year that would never happen in Street League, so when Greg asked us to release him we decided it was the right thing to do."[21]