What can you say about Markku Koski? He’s a rider that’s difficult pidgeonhole as hits hard wherever he rides. See his Samurai Pipe skills and you’d think he’s a U-Jump rock, but then he’ll throw a cab 9 pow stomper or hold it down on the streets and have you scratching your head trying to decide what he rides best. The answer? All of it. Here’s his rig…

Stats:

Date of Birth: 15.10.81
Hometown: Helsinki, Finland
Home Mountain: Sievi, Finland
Stance: Regular, +15 front, -9 back
SPONSORS: Quiksilver, 32, Etnies, Vivo Headwear, Stepchild

Photo: Cole Barash

BOARD

Stepchild Salary Man

When you’re able to swipe anything from the Stepchild stockroom, how come you choose the Salary Man?

I usually ride the Expat but this year the graphic on that one was something I wasn’t too stoked on so I’m riding the Salary Man. It’s a cheaper board for the entire mountain.

Do you ride one model and length for everything, or do you switch it up?

Yeah, I keep switching boards just to keep it interesting. I ride the 152 Salary Man on rails (soft reverse camber), 155 Expat in the park and pipe (stiffer normal camber) and a 158 Chi Borg in pow (medium reverse camber).

Regular or reverse camber?

Just depends, I don’t really care. I usually ride reverse camber on rails and pow and otherwise normal camber. I think normal camber is better for hardpack.

BOOTS

ThirtyTwo Team2

What model were you rocking last season? And why did you pick that model?

I usually ride the Team2 boot. Just the way they fi t my feet is perfect. I love the way the boot looks too.

Do you like your boots super stiff, soft as hell or somewhere in between?

I like them pretty soft just because I feel more loose on the board and it’s better for tweaking tricks.

Are you backing speedlace or are you more traditional in your boot lacing tastes?

I don’t care really. The Team2 comes with laces so I just use that.

BINDINGS

Ride Delta MVMT

What’s the most important criteria in terms of bindings for you, and how do those ones fit your needs?

It’s important naturally not to feel pressure points on the bindings. I like them as simple binding as possible. Most important is to have a good ankle strap I think. I don’t ride for Ride or anything but I just think that binding is the best one I ever tried so I use ’em.

Do you adjust your bindings at all before you ride them for the first time?

No, nothing special. I just try to keep it so my heels or toes don’t come too much out over the board.

OUTERWEAR

Quiksilver Utility Line

What features are you most stoked with on the Quik outerwear you’re wearing?

I’m riding the Quiksilver Utility line. I like my clothes light and the fit has to be on point.

Do you prefer your outerwear to fit gangsta big, hipster tight or just middle of the road?

I like slim fit and long jackets and semi-tight fit on pants.

GLOVES

ThirtyTwo

Is it pipe gloves for the park and thicker ones for backcountry for you, or just one pair for everywhere?

32 just made some park gloves so I’m rocking them. Again the fi t is the most important, and that the gloves don’t get too wet.

Anything special you like about your 32 gloves?

Probably the fact that I took a bunch of them so will never have to ride stinky gloves again.

GOGGLES

Quiksilver Facet Orbicular

What goggles are you wearing?

I’m wearing the Facet Orbicular goggle.

What do you specifi cally like about them?

Quiksilver has a couple of different models and they’re all pretty good but I like these ones the most. To me the look is most important. I like the bubble lens too.

EXTRAS

What other stuff do you always make sure is in your backpack when you head up to ride?

I always bring a facemask and a neckwarmer with me. Be sure to check out the new Vivo Headwear line for that.