Former Baltimore Orioles minor league pitcher Matt Bruback spent most of his time as a kid skating. He would stay out all day and night trying new tricks. His dad–who longboarded in Northern California in the 60s when the sport was just taking off–bought him his first board when he was eight. He continued to sneak out at night to skate in a nearby parking lot while playing professional baseball.
“Skateboarding is the ultimate freedom of expression,” Bruback, 36, said.
The Sarasota local now hopes to turn the circus capital into the longboarding hub of Florida with his newest venture, Fusion Longboards.
“Sarasota is an iconic place,” Bruback said. “I see it as a hub of creativity, and hopefully by the end of the year, a hub for the Florida longboard industry.”
Photo by Thomas Bender
Bruback’s board design channels the old school 60s look with its pintail shape and promotes creativity through his “sacred flower” design. A Sarasota sunset peaks through the flower on three of the four designs. His sister, Michelle Bruback, designed the fourth.
Bruback says his multicolored trucks and Golden Ticket wheel make the boards unique.
“That’s what I hope fusion longboards gets across,” Bruback said. “Be unique and be yourself.”
Fusion Longboards can now be found in two local shops. V-Town Surf and Skate 2 and American Shore Trading Company carry the board.
“It’s something different, something local, something the kids can relate to I guess,” said V-Town owner Aren Howard. “Somebody local doing something cool.”