If you think that the world of skateboarding came and went with Tony Hawk, then think again. Levittown natives Roberto Muñoz and Sammy Ruggiero are working on revamping the sport. When Ruggiero came up with the idea for “Four Wheels Rolling”—a company that films and produces skateboarding videos—five years ago, he, Muñoz and their friends worked hard to ensure that it would be a long-term hit.
“I started Four Wheels Rolling because I enjoy filming and skateboarding and wanted to showcase the videos that my friends and I worked on,” said Ruggiero. “I wanted more than just a YouTube channel.”
Muñoz, Ruggiero’s friend and part of the team, has been skateboarding since second grade and hasn’t stopped.
“The goals of Four Wheels Rolling are to keep on skating, filming and entertaining the audience to showcase what the fundamentals of skateboarding are,” he said of the passion he shares with his friends. “The reason it even grew into a small, local company was because residents and locals were willing to support. But aside from expanding the company, we want to show our audience that skateboarding is all about having fun.”
Four Wheels Rolling (FWR) is comprised of nine friends who share a love of skateboarding. Each member plays the same role in advertising, marketing and selling their brand’s products. FWR conducts publicity through the most popular form today: social media.
“We all get the brand out there by using YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and of course, the website. When used right, social media really is such a powerful tool,” said Muñoz, who serves as the main PR pointman. “We have a specific hashtag that we like to use called #fwrfridays. Every Friday we try and pick people who have hashtagged ‘fwrfridays’ and feature them on our Instagram page.”
On Feb. 21, FWR hosted a premiere of its first full-length video, which took two years to produce and edit. The night included a bit of snow, fans, supporters, pizza and of course, plenty of skateboarding.
“It was a bigger turnout than we thought it was going to be. Everyone loved it,” said Muñoz adding that six of the seven team riders that took part in the film are from Levittown and have attended or currently attend Division Avenue High School. “Almost every major skateboarding company comes out with their own full-length skateboarding film. It is essentially a big showcase of tricks that members of the team have accumulated in different places over a period of time.” The video included an introduction of the riders for the company, followed by a specific section dedicated to each rider, highlighting their tricks.
FWR has also hosted two other events at Bethpage Skate Park under the title S.K.A.T.E., which is played similarly to H.O.R.S.E. Skaters from Levittown, Bethpage, Baldwin, and other local towns came to the skate park to join the tournament.
“We’re all a little bummed out that the premiere is over now because it’s been something that we have been working on for about two years; between the filming of the tricks, the editing and the promotion of the event,” said Muñoz. “We do, however, have plans to start another big project in early May.”
For now, Four Wheels Rolling is something that Muñoz, Ruggiero and their friends thoroughly enjoy because it keeps them together doing what they love.
“It’s just me and my skateboard alongside the best of friends who shared the same passion,” said Muñoz. “If it wasn’t for skateboarding, I can honestly say, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
To learn more about Four Wheels Rolling, watch skateboarding videos or buy merchandise, visit www.fourwheelsrolling.com.
