ESPN has a nice interview up this week with 2009 Dew Cup champ Chris Cole on splitting the difference between core skateboarding and chasing after contest cash and glory. The article is headlined "Balancing Act" and I can't think of anyone who is walking the particular line any better than Cole.

Here's an excerpt, via ESPN.go.com:

The stakes are completely different at different contests. It all depends on what's at stake. For example, you go out and compete in a Wallenberg contest for street cred. You know that you are going to come home exhausted and your body is going to be completely beat up and you might win $10,000. But you do it, and it's totally worth it and it's important. Then there are big money contests like the X Games and the Dew Tour... The old guard wants to hold on to the way it was -- on the streets. I care about street skating, that has to be respected, but at some point you have to look after your family. You have to pay your mortgage and I really don't think some guys understand what it's like trying to get by. You can't just get down on things that keep skateboarding alive. That way of thinking isn't helping anyone at this point.