Boardrider of the Month: P.J. Byrtus | The Beachside Resident

By: Scooter Newell

Article Category: Boardrider, Sea Level Leave a Comment

I first skated with P.J. somewhere in the neighborhood of 21 years ago. He seemed like someone who belonged in Venice Beach instead of Cocoa Beach. He had long hair, gnarly moves and always ripped. I remember my friends and myself trying to do lip-tricks “as stylish as P.J.” did.

P.J. was always one of the more advanced skaters in the neighborhood and was always down to skate anybody at any type of session or spot. Today, not much has changed other than his having a lot more experience and a lot more sessions under his belt. He’s also taking picutres, writing aticles for magazines (including the Beachside Resident), shooting videos, volunteering for Grind For Life — oh, and raising 2 daughters with his wife.

P.J. Byrtus: well-rounded surfer, skater and snowboarder, and the Beachside Resident’s Boardrider of the Month.

DOB: 1970
Years Skating: 32
Years Surfing: 32
Years Snowboarding: 16
Stance: Goofy
Current Set-up: 8.75 Grind For Life Deck; Independent 169s; Bones Grind For Life SPF 60 wheels; 6’4″ rounded Squash RJ SRFBRD shaped by Richie Buehen
Resides: South Melbourne Beach

Happy New Year, P.J.!

Happy New Year to you, too!

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

Yes I do. Well, maybe a New Year’s “re-focus” rather than a resolution. I want to appreciate everything I have. I never want to take things for granted. I am the luckiest guy on this planet. I have two wonderful daughters and a wife who means everything to me. I had a couple of scares in 2008. I was hit head-on by a drunk driver, and somehow I walked away with minimal injuries. Later in 2008, we had an unexpected and very serious health scare with my older daughter that required major surgery at Arnold Palmer Hospital. I realize how life can take a quick turn at any moment.

What are you doing right now?

I’m drinking super strong black coffee and hanging out by my pool. There are all kinds of noises and craziness going on around me. My two dogs are wrestling with the neighbor’s dogs. My two daughters are playfully arguing with each other. My wife is getting ready for a little New Year’s Eve get-together at our house. Johnny Cash is playing in the background.

Can you give us a timeline of your boardriding career?

My father was a helicopter pilot with the Marines. My family moved all over the world. I was lucky that we were almost always stationed close to the ocean. I started skateboarding and surfing around 1976 in Virginia Beach, VA. There was a thriving surf and skateboard scene happening there at the time. I was constantly relocating, changing schools and friends. Besides my family, my skateboard and surfboard became the only consistent things in my life. My boards made me happy; I could always use them with or without friends. There were no rules, teams, or points involved. They were always challenging, and I always wanted to get better at them. I didn’t start snowboarding until about 1992 when I fell in love with the speed and airtime involved. That led to a brief residence out west, but I really missed the Brevard County beaches, and came back home.

Who were some of your inspirations and early skate friends?

I was always inspired by the guys who had aggressive skate styles. I really liked Jay Adams, Duane Peters, and Cab in the early days. In the late ’80s I became very inspired by all the talented local guys around here: Bob Umbel, Lonny Rider, Pat Splat, Brad Baxter, Chuck Dinkins, Sammy Barker, Mike Freed, Kelly Cavanaugh, Aaron Helvie, Rudy Phillips, and so many more. It’s 20 years later, and I still skate with most of these guys on a weekly basis. They still inspire me. It is awesome to see a guy in his 40s charging the vert pool and learning new tricks. The passion was never lost.

Can you tell us a good story about one of your road trips?

There have been so many skateboard, surf, and snowboard trips over the years all over the world with so many great people. They’ve all been unique. I guess my most influential road trip was in 1984. I was going to high school in Tampa and my father and I went on a little surf road trip to Brevard County and Spanish House. I loved Brevard’s south beaches so much and told my dad that I’d live here one day. I’m now raising my family right down the street from that very spot.

Has competitive skateboarding changed over the years, and if so, how?

Well, it seems like the contest atmosphere is always changing. It started out on flat grounds, then pools, then vert ramps, and then street contests took over. I’d really like to see more major contests in the bowls and modern flow parks. This type of competition incorporates all the best of vert, pool, and street skills.

As far as skateboarding goes, what do you feel has changed over the years for the better?

Accessibility, for sure. We are in the middle of the rebirth of the skateparks. Kids have so many different places to practice their passion. It goes without saying that these new parks are keeping kids out of trouble, keeping them physically fit, and giving them a sense of belonging. It helps develop focus, goal-setting skills, and self confidence. There is absolutely nothing negative associated with building a skatepark. Every community needs one.

Where do you like to skate these days?

Brevard County has one of the best skateboard scenes in the country. I try to take advantage of all the options. We have a crew of older guys (35-57) and we skate everything. I like to skate wherever the session is happening, but I really like the Cocoa Beach Skate Park, Eastwood SkatePark, and The Park in Melbourne. I also have my own little ramp that I skate with my kids. Doing a couple of smith grinds on pool coping after work is a great stress reliever.

What are some of things you’re involved with currently within the surf/skate community?

I try to assist with the Grind For Life organization any way I can. Cocoa Beacher and two-time cancer survivor Mike Rogers founded this organization. GFL helps people with cancer through skateboarding. Mike and GFL put on skateboard contests and events to help provide financial assistance, disease awareness, and much more for those in need. This is a super important cause, and I love that skateboarders are giving back. Look for big things in 2009 with Grind For Life.

You’ve had numerous photos published in magazines. When did you get into photography and what is it that you like to shoot most?

I’ve always been into art and photography. I sufferred from numerous injuries a few years back. I couldn’t skateboard, but I still enjoyed attending all the contests and sessions and started shooting thousands of pics. I tried to get better at it, as with my skating and surfing. I enjoy shooting skateboarding much more than surfing. I like to be up close and use multiple angles. I am, however, learning how to shoot surf photos from the water, with water housing. This type of surf photography is more my style. I’m a wide angle kind of photographer.

Can you describe what a perfect day would be like for you?

That’s easy and it happens a lot. It’s the weekend, and I walk across the street to the beach with my family and neighbors. The weather is warm and the waves are 4-to-6, clean, and barreling. After a long day at the beach, my wife makes her famous arroz con pollo and the kids play in the pool or backyard. It’s the greatest. After dinner, the family meets up with friends at the skatepark. We come home and get ready to do it all over again.
If Barack Obama asked you to take over, what would be your first order of business as Mr. President?
Well, we all know the economy has been rough on most people lately. People are losing their jobs, homes, and livelihoods. However, there are also men and women overseas losing their lives. People are losing their fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, and wives. I, certainly don’t have the answers. I just think the first order of business should be to find a way to bring our soldiers home and out of harm’s way.

Any final words or shouts?

I’d like to give shout outs to all the soldiers defending our country and to all of the sick kids and their parents at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Our thoughts are always with you.

(Interview via email)