CULTURE SERIES VOL II: SURFER & SKATER ROARK ALBERTS

by Hamish Wilson

We are so stoked to introduce you to The Merchants Culture Series.

A series in favour of championing the artisans, the earth-dwellers, the creators, the movers, and the merchants.

A chance for the Merchants of the Sun community to get a glimpse into the 'behind the scenes' of the brand, and the people that make it.

The Merchants Culture Series

Episode 1 with Roark Alberts

Video: @nathanprostamo

We have officially released the first episode of The Merchants Culture Series with skater/surfer and musician, Rork Alberts.

Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, Roark has already lived an interesting and eclectic life. Home schooled with his four siblings, Roark comes from an extremely talented and close knit family. Like most young men in Queensland, Roark grew up surfing, skating and maybe partying a little too much.

And when he’s not doing either of the above, you can find Roark traveling the world with his brother, musician Ziggy Alberts, (pre-covid that is) and working alongside his family at CommonFolk Records.

Equally dedicated to his friends and family as he is to his crafts; he was more than willing to take us out for the day and show us ‘A day in the life of Roark Alberts.’

A true legend and change maker, read more about Roark below!

How did you get into skateboarding?

I wanted something to do when I wasn't surfing because it’s always flat and I grew to love it.

I was doing cutbacks at the skatepark and it gradually grew, I knew it wasn’t a cool thing to do after a while. I still get a shit for skating a bit. Shit for surfing from my skate friends, because my surf friends and skate friends are different, but I think they tie together quite well I think.

Do you like surfing or skating more?

Surfing 100%

Who were your favourite skaters growing up and who are they?

Currin Caples, Chris Russell, probably like Rune Glifberg and Grant Terrilin and stuff.

What are your favourite skate shoes?

Vans, vans, vans, lovely. Nice board feel.

Where did you grow up?

Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia - my whole life, i'm stuck.

What siblings do you have?

Four brothers and a sister, so it’s a busy house.

What was it like living with so many boys?

You wake up and throw punches at each other. Besides that, it’s like having close friends that are closer. Which is good, we can surf, skate and talk to each other.

What was the first trick you learnt on a skateboard?

Stand up and push, probably a push shove it, that's pretty low key.

What board set up do you prefer?

Polar, indies and bones, whenI could afford that. I’d been buying it when I was young and I couldn't. I was probably riding Kmart.

Dream country to live in?

Probably Australia, out of everywhere I’ve been. Australia or New Zealand is probably my favourite. Amsterdam, Netherlands somewhere.

Do you feel like you’ve been seeing the world enough?

No, not since the covid.. but it will come round soon enough. Save your money and travel later for now.

What do you do in your spare time?

Spare time I pretty much surf, skate, hangout with friends and family - maybe party, a little bit too much sometimes.

Do you have any hidden talents?

No, not really no hidden talents that people wouldn’t know about.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Go to the toilet and try to find coffee. Or atleast check the surf on my phone before I go. That’s probably the first thing.

What are you trying to achieve?

I’m a bit of a lost guy right now, just trying to achieve happiness in a way, doing what I like to do and being around good people which is the most important to me at the moment.

What’s an album you couldn’t live without?

Ignorance is bliss by Skepta, or Psychodrama by Dave.

How often do you skate?

I usually skate at least twice a week. With friends in the afternoon after work is always fun, otherwise most weekends - could be hungover, could not.