Seegull (aka Stephen Brayman) Interview

Photos by Daniel Stelly, Theodore Maider, Dizzle & Sweeney Correira

Interview by Jonathan Hay

Article originally printed in Confusion magazine – Issue 39

What’s your real name, how old are you, and where did you grow up?

My name is Stephen Brayman, I’m 28, and I grew up in Groton, Connecticut.

How did you get the nickname Seegull?

I got the nickname when I was probably 13-14; I’d get all fired up and instead of yelling like everybody else I’d make this fuckin squeal noise. The owner of my local shop called me a seagull and it stuck.

How did you first get into skateboarding?

My buddy down the street had a board and we’d share it, then we put together one for me out of old parts. I was probably 14 when I got my first actual board. It was a shop deck from 7 Ply Skateshop in Westerly, Rhode Island.

Why did you decide to move out to California?

I decided to move because i got straight out of high school and straight into working my life away. Work is rewarding; don’t get me wrong, but I needed to put some miles on my soul before I settled down. I wanted to feel the open road; meet new people, share new experiences. I grew up in a small town and by now all my friends that never left have houses and kids and jobs they’ll never leave; and don’t get me wrong that is pure as life gets. But I didn’t want to look back on a long and peaceful life, having never left my hometown and regret that I didn’t do what I wanted.

How did you get hooked up with Western World and is that still going?

When I first came to SF I was staying in hostels, I was alone and had never been on a skate trip solo. I didn’t know anyone here. My buddy Chris Peterson told me to hit up Elijah and meet up with him. We linked up; bombed all night, and he let me crash at his spot in the warehouse. He introduced me to Zane and Adam as well. Time went by, I went back to my hometown when my trip ended, and a few months later Zane, Elijah, and Adam came to the east coast on a cross country trip. We partied at Robstock, and they stayed at my parents house on their way south. Adam told me then that I needed to move to California to see what life was really about. What it meant to be AWAY. That conversation changed my life. Shout out A-dum.

As far as Western World; all things come and go. It was a season of life. The effort that once was Western World is now Awaysted Skateboards. Go get you one.

Do you want to share any stories from the road or skating with Zane Timpson (RIP)?

Zane Cary Timpson was and always will be the greatest man I’ve ever gotten to call my friend.
A true man of conviction, a scholar, and a quality human through and through. I don’t think one or even a handful of stories could summarize who or what he was. Zane was a powerful skater, pain was part of his love for skating. He would push himself and all of his friends to their absolute limits; knowing full well what could be done. Zane’s perseverance through pain and struggle is the driving influence of my adult life. He is my hero. I live every moment for him. I love you Zane.

What do you get into when you aren’t skating?

When I’m not skating, I’m probably working, drinking beer with my friends, or hanging out with my lady. I’ve really been into cooking lately and get pretty hyped to cook something I’ve never made before. When you’re following a recipe it’s like a little science experiment. Kinda sick.

Do you have a job?

Yeah I work at this lumber mill, we make custom mouldings. So basically if you have an old house and need something recreated to match what’s already in your home; we can make that. We also do all sorts of other stuff like milling fencing, flooring, beams, ect… It’s cool, we work 4 days – 10 hours a day. So I always have a 3 day weekend which is epic, makes going on weekend trips real easy.

What’s a typical day in your life?

Typical day in my life; Wake up at 5am, head to work. Bust my ass. Get off at 4, head to Potrero and skate for a bit. Go home, eat dinner, rinse and repeat. On the weekends I really try to get after it and skate new stuff.

How has the skate scene changed since you first got into it?

I’m sure I could write a novel about how skating has changed in the past 15 years, but honestly there’s more skateparks than ever so I think it’s doing just fine.

What’s the craziest not made to skate structure you’ve ever skated?

We skated this giant fiberglass boat mold in Seattle that was like a halfpipe. It had this big hole in between the two halves and you had to ride over signs and plywood in the flat. There’s some footage in my Purge the Mind part of it. It’s probably the coolest thing I’ve ever skated.

What was the scariest “street spot” you skated?

As far as scary, I don’t know hahaha. I’d probably just say any handrail I’ve ever skated. That shit is a little out of my league.

Worst injury?

Hit my head at FDR during drunk v sober in 2018. Got hella staples in my head and had amnesia. That one was pretty rough.

Any tricks or solutions for quick recovery from injuries?

Honestly I’m pretty bad at recovering injuries, I always wind up skating too soon after getting hurt. Wouldn’t consider myself an expert.

Current set up?

I go back and forth between riding an 8.75 and a 9. Not too picky about what board but I do really dig the Orange Antihero Eagle. Solid shape and a nice long wheelbase. Super fun.
Also been riding these giant orange OJ Nick Boserio wheels. 60mm 97a. Super wide with a lot of grip. Slides when you need it to.

Any travel plans?

I took a bunch of trips this year so I’m broke now, but I’m definitely trying to line up a classic Oregon-Washington trip with the boys next year once it stops raining up there. Also craving an international rev so we’ll see what happens!

Where do you see the world five years from now and where do you see yourself?

Who fucking knows, the world could end in the next 5 years for all I know. Hopefully everybody is being a little nicer to each other by then. As for myself, I imagine I’ll be doing the same shit; working, skating, drinking beers. I’d like to get a piece of land for myself and build myself a house. That’d be cool. But for now, I just take it as it comes; one day at a time.

THIS OR THAT…

Bombing hills or bombing countries?

Hills over war 100%