Today we’d like to introduce you to Rico Trevino.
Hi Rico, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Frederick Mays, but I go by Rico Trevino. I’m 34 years old, I’m bisexual, and I’m the owner and founder of SWA skate krew, which stands for skill wide Aggression skate krew. I started SWA in 2016 because I wanted a professional jam skate team that allowed people to be themselves without being judge. A team that’s more of a family than a team. The first members to join SWA was my brother Jaylen Belvin and our 5 friends Damien Harrison, Justin Southerland, Jacob Conley, Matthew David, and Westley Milligan. In 2017 we went public and competed in our first professional jam skate competition introducing to the skate world to a new team. The other professional sponsored teams didn’t see us an official sponsored team because they didn’t believe that SWA was going to go anywhere or become a brand that could sponsor others or be a remodel to others in the skate world. To me, that’s was ok because I knew that I was going to make my dream come true. A year later, SWA got the chance to perform at six flags over Texas with Dj Scotty from 93.3 radio station for their 4th of July festival. That one opportunity showed the skate community that we was going to become something big, and I knew it was going. After our performance at six flags went viral in the skate world, kids from all over wanted to be a part of my team. So, we started recruiting kids’ teens, and adults from all over, and some even reached out asking to be a part of the family. My little family of 7 people grew, and SWA currently has 80 members apart of its family, and I’m continuing to find and sponsor more people every day. I have skaters that live here in Dallas, but also, I have skaters that in live Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Canada, Kansas, Minnesota, California, Ohio, and Utah. SWA goal is to teach and inspire kids and adults to skate and want to learn how to jam skate. We want the world that u don’t have to be extremely good to be a professional skater; you just have to find a team that cares and sees the potential in you to grow and become a professional skater and take that time to train and teach you while being on their team and that what we do. We look for kids and adults that we can train into becoming the best professional skater they want to be all while being sponsored on a professional team. I like finding the diamond in the ruff and making it shine. Those hidden gems that people overlook that’s what saw looks for the most. I financially support my team with a $ 17-an-hour job. I do the best that I can to take care everyone’s needs and wants as fast I can from skate gear, skates, wheels, travel expenses competition fees, etc., while also taking care of my own financial. It’s hard sometimes, but I make happen the best way I can til I find someone to help us out as a financial sponsor. Two weeks ago, I started the SWA Academy which a beginner’s team for kids who are 12 and under in Florida who want to start jam skating and want to learn the basics. Once they become more skilled in the sport, they move up to the saw pro team. Morgan Bush is one of pro team members, and he help runs the academy for me as one of the coaches. SWA is family and growing to become a community of skaters that support and love each other as family.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting out wasn’t too bad, but it wasn’t easy either. Picking a good name for the team was a process. But my biggest struggles was getting other professional teams to respect and acknowledge my team as a professional team act competition and not just some made-up team. I still trying to get that respect and Recognition that my team deserves because we have proven time and time again that we are a professional team and that we are just as good as the others. Also, being bisexual has made it difficult because sometimes people look at and judge my lifestyle. Which has sometimes affected things. People have used my sexuality to be hurtful to me and to discourage people to skate for me. I live a discreet style life due to the fact I deal with kids’ young teens’ parents, and I want them to get to know me as a person and really see how I run my team before I open up about my sexuality. I’m not ashamed of my sexuality, I’m just smart about who and when I share my personal life with.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work a warehouse job making $17 an hour when I’m not managing the team. When it comes to SWA I specialize in 3 styles of skating jam rhythm and artistic skating. I teach everyone on my team and encourage them to learn other styles because it makes them more diverse in competition but also gives them the upper hand. The one thing I’m proud of is how long my team has been around and how it continues to grow every day. What set me apart from others is that care about all my members like their my family, and I’m always there when they need me the most, no matter what, cause without them, I have nothing.
What are your plans for the future?
One day I hope my team can perform on stage with big-name celebrities like usher Miss Elliott or Beyonce etc. To travel the world and show people what we can do. Aug 20th – 27th, we are going to Vegas to do some street performances, and hopefully that open doors for a big opportunity my team.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @swa.krew
- Other: Tiktok is @swa_lgk.krew
Image Credits
Frederick mays
