As a kid, I always believed that skateboarding was my ticket out of my hometown, but I never imagined that it would take me all over the world and be my career for 20 plus years. In that time, I have never forgotten who I am or where I come from. I never lost touch with that wide-eyed 14-year-old who discovered and fell in love with skateboarding on the streets of Edison, New Jersey. Those were the most crucial times of my life, those early years of discovery, and I carried them with me to this moment. It is my roots that have kept me grounded, humble, and appreciative through good times and bad, through all the hype and indifference.

Oh man, I feel like I’m one of the guys now. How long you guys been skating? A few miles? Oh man, that’s cool. I’ve been skating for almost 25 years. It’s like over the limit for pro. You might be right, you might be right.

I have never forgotten who I am or where I come from. I am and always will be Mike Vallely from Edison, New Jersey. Several times a year, at least, I find myself back in this area, this region, and specifically my hometown of Edison, New Jersey. Something just keeps calling me back. The memories don’t get really that intense until I’m 14 and I start skateboarding. That’s where my life really begins, and really, I have a story for every crack in the sidewalk.

I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up, but skateboarding changed all of that. Suddenly, I had a peer group with the same interests as me, and we had a thriving skate scene. Albe Tagliati was one of the best skaters in our town, but unlike me, he wasn’t a show-off, so he never got the recognition for how good he really was. But being a hardcore skater, he has always remained involved in skateboarding, opening his own skate shop in our hometown, Central Jersey Skate Shop.

Hey, Mike. Hey, man. Welcome home. Thanks, man. Head on. Hi, you’re my wife Helen. Hi there. This is Little Al. Little Al, you made it. Future shopkeeper. How long are you here for, man? A couple of days, man. Awesome. Place looks great. Hey, I love the new shop. This is like that, huh? I like that. My Mike V collection. Favorite skater of all time. Come on, you wanna go skate? Of course, man. Let’s do it.

Anderson. Alright, Mike, right here.

Nolan Skate Park. Backyard skate park, huh? Yeah, the place we never had growing up. I want you to meet the two luckiest kids in town. Nice. Yeah, Jimmy, Billy, come here, guys. Jimmy, Mike. Yo, what’s up, man? This is my belated birthday present to you. How’s it going? Alright. Nice skate park you got here.

Wow.

Mike Schwartz grew up across the street from my grandparents. We went to the same schools, played on the same baseball team, and started skating together. Although Mike stopped skating at some point and became a police officer, he has always remained supportive of the skate scene in Edison’s.

I look, and now you’re on the other side. What’s that like? It’s cool because, you know, I could roll off my kid’s skateboard, and I’d really like, “Do I gotta get out of here, officer?” I’m like, “No, no, you gotta show

me some cool new tricks.

Yeah, I may be wrong, but I credit you with pretty much discovering East Coast skateboarding. I know there are some great ones out there, but you actually put us on the map. And I mean, Al, I picked up so many tricks from you that I became known for, you know what I mean? It’s unbelievable.

It truly means a lot to me to have this connection to you guys and making me feel so good about where I come from and my past here. And we’re so proud of you, man. It’s always good to come home, but it gets better and better, and I’m right on, man. Thanks for coming. Thanks for calling.

Mike! Oh, yo, man. Mike! Me, what’s up, Rob? Hey, man, how’s it going? See you, man. Yeah, same here. Good to see you. Who’s this guy? This is Rowan. It’s my youngest. This is Kiernan. He’s four. What’s up, buddy? This is Ty. He’s 12. What’s up, Ty? How’s it going, man? Cool.

Rodney Smith was my mentor when I started skating. I met Rodney when he worked at a store in the local shopping mall that sold skateboards, and I was lucky enough to be taken under his wing. Rodney had been skateboarding for a long time, had been to California, skated with the pros, and harbored knowledge about skateboarding and a passion for it like no other. His friendship was one of encouragement and kindness, and it meant everything to me.

Alright, well, you want to get rolling? Sure, let’s do this. Alright, it’s good seeing you. Okay, everybody. Hi, guys. I’ll talk to you later, bro. Be good for your brother, okay? Bye-bye. Give me a kiss. Alright, see you later. Alright, we got it. Thanks.

Rodney has remained active in skating all of these years, forming the original Shut Skates brand back in 1986. He was also an integral and founding member of the Zoo York brand until resurrecting Shut just a few years ago.

To come back to Edison now and to be received so warmly by a whole new generation of skaters and kids and to see some old familiar faces out there still cheering me on means everything to me. This town is where I started riding. This town is where I fought for my independence. This town is one I had to leave to grow and become the skater and man that I am. But it is also a place I think of fondly and hold dear and continue to come back to.

Hey, guys.

Applause continues.

The applause continues to resonate as Mike Vallely stands before the crowd, his heart filled with gratitude. The documentary captures his journey, his connections, and the impact of his roots in Edison, New Jersey. It serves as a reminder of the power of skateboarding to transform lives and create a sense of belonging.

As the camera pans over the faces in the crowd, Mike realizes the profound influence he has had on the local skate community. He sees the spark in the eyes of young skaters, eager to follow in his footsteps. It’s a humbling experience for him, knowing that he has played a part in inspiring the next generation.

The documentary concludes with Mike Vallely’s final thoughts. He expresses his appreciation for the unwavering support from his hometown and the enduring friendships he has formed along the way. He vows to keep returning to Edison, to keep giving back to the place that shaped him, and to keep spreading the love and passion for skateboarding.