Thanks for everything!

The Paja Longboards crew love Miramar and Sasquatch!

Life doesn't get better than this. Paja Mike with his Sacred Owl and loyal dog.

Who are you and what is your role with Struggle?: My name is Ruben Najera and I skateboard professionally for various different companies. I started Struggle skateboards and its run by skateboarders for skateboarders. We sell our boards for a lot less than most skateboard companies in the industry. Skateboarding is our passion and there is nothing else in the world that means more to us than skateboarding. We are your brothers from different mothers! We thank anyone that has every supported us in any way!

Tell me a little bit about yourself, How old you are, what draws you to skating, your home town, anything and everything!: I am 25 years old. Skateboarding is my life. Its my passion and the only thing I truly enjoy doing in this world. Skateboarding has saved my life and taken me to so many different places. I was born and raised in El Centro,CA which is located in the Imperial Valley. I love it here, I have a lot of pride in my hometown there are so many talented skateboarders here as well. Shout out to my hometown shop and sponsor DRISCOLLS!!! Also to all of the companies that back me in skateboarding. All of my sponsors, thank you guys so much!
STRUGGLE skateboards
POWERBAR
SNUGGBUDS headphones
CLEVER griptape
SCOFF skatelaces
GLAMOUR KILLS clothing
PETER GRIMM headwear
ABSTRACT energy
POWER BALANCE
FILTRATE eyewear
HERRON trucks
OLLIEPOP
EPIC cameras
FREESTYLE watches
GRIPGUM
TAILDEVILS
BANSHEE BUNGEE
AIRSPEED footwear
S-ONE helmets

I read that you were once homeless, living in your car in Orange County. How did you go from that part of your life to founding and running Struggle?: One day I took off to work at a deck printing factory with a car full of gas and 10 dollars to my name. The company I was working for had problems and it got to the point where I wasnt even getting paid anymore and my payment was getting to make my own product instead of getting an actual paycheck. So I had to hustle twice as hard. I had no home other than my ride. I lived on the streets skateboarded everyday and worked my ass off to get things off the ground. I had a dream and a goal and I was focused. I never gave up and stayed motivated through times that should have been enough to bring any human being down. I had so many doubters and it only pushed me more and more. I stand for every skateboarder out there trying to do it themselves. For every skateboarder out there that shares the same passion of skateboarding that I do. And for everyone out there working hard in life to accomplish their dreams and goals.

What sets Struggle apart from other skate brands?: We are run completely by skateboarders. When I was making the decks at the printing factory we were making boards for some of the BIGGEST names in the industry. I am sure I could get in trouble if I mentioned the companies so I will leave it at that. But I basically took the same high quality decks and started selling them for way less than they were. The same quality deck that they were pricing at $50.00 to $60.00 was now selling with our logo for $30.00 to $35.00. It was all for the "Struggling" skateboarder. Not to mention life at the time was a complete Struggle. Everything was tough. But the way I see it when your on the bottom the only way left to go is UP!  

Where do you get your wood? The only other employee I worked with when I was making the boards ended up purchasing the screens and equipment when the deck printing business went under and we were good homies. So we continued to make my boards only this time I dont actually do all the hard labor like I used to. I will do the graphic design from time to time nowadays. Its all located in Orange County we are getting a full on STRUGGLE facility there within the next few months.

Tell me about the Struggle Showdown: The Struggle Showdown is one of the biggest games of SKATE in the world! Hundreds enter the Struggle Showdown and we have contestants from as far as Phoenix,and Los Angeles come down to the Imperial Valley just to compete in our contest. Its a solid contest that we will continue to do every year as a company.

What inspires you?: I am inspired by a lot of everyday things. I am always studying my surroundings, and analyzing whats going on around me.

If you weren't doing this what would you have chosen to do instead?: Nothing. I wouldnt be alive if I wasnt skateboarding! No matter what else I do that is not related to skateboarding it will never keep me from skateboarding. I will always and forever be skateboarding. Its who I am . I am one with my board. Even if I sit down and make music, or do some acting in something completely non related to skateboarding, I will get up and take off on my skateboard. Its always there. Skateboarding is my way of life. Its who I truly am. I am a SKATEBOARDER!

What is in your ipod rotation right now?: I have been making my own beats lately. I create them and put them on my ipod. Im planning to use some of my music in the upcoming Struggle video. It will save on some music right funds. So pretty much my beats lately. That and maybe some Atmosphere, 8 Ball and MJG, and some comic standup from Mitch Fatel.

What makes the Imperial Valley skate scene different from the Orange County or LA scene?: The Imperial Valley skate scene is big! The events we do out here attract more people and have bigger and better turnouts than events that I have gone to in Orange County and L.A. NO JOKE! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that things are burnt out over there in the bigger cities. There are to many things going on at the same time, all the time. And when we do the event in the valley its a big deal and its exclusive. It gets packed and crowded super quick. The Imperial Valley has some amazingly talented skateboarders as well. The skateboarding world is starting to take note. I am doing everything I can to help get the Imperial Valley into the industries eyes. I want to help make this one of the hotspots and major talent pools of the skate industry. Kids down here are better at their flat ground tricks than most other cities in the world as well. Our styles are influenced a lot on the fact that we still do not have a skatepark in my hometown. The city streets are our skatepark pretty much.

What's next with Struggle?: We have an Arizona Tour coming up soon and we are still trying to get the final clips and bangers for the Struggle Skateboards SWORN video. We have been working on this video for almost 5 years now. It WILL be our best video ever.



Free money you ask? On the money tree! We are finishing up the video tonight (this is Ryan) and Dave is killing it right now in the editing room (AKA Macbook on couch). I just got done recording the intro song on ukulele, yes you heard me right, so hopefully you all enjoy the final product that will be out in August on the Evolutions DVD put out by Concrete Wave...

p.s. if money is the root of all evil then i'm rooting for it

It was great! We sold a total of NOTHING and spent EVERYTHING!