Words by Robin Pailler | Photography by Robin Pailler, Clément Legall & Greg Poissonnier
I first met Vincent Milou when I first moved to Hossegor, France, just over ten years ago. Back then, Vincent was a local grom from Tarnos. A shy kid with all the talent in the world. Even at 17 years, it was obvious Vincent was going to go far. Fast forward a decade, and I don’t think even Vincent would’ve dreamt of what he’s achieved today. From humble beginnings skating Capbreton skatepark to becoming a pro skateboarder recognised worldwide. A Street League regular. NBDs at Hollywood High and El Toro respectively. And now, a two-time Olympian. Despite all of those achievements and the recent acquisition of both Element Skateboards and Adidas Skateboarding as his main sponsors, Vincent hasn’t changed a bit. He’s still that same shy kid from Tarnos with an insatiable hunger to live life to the fullest and a constant need to strive for the very best. Vincent’s biggest asset is undoubtedly his humility. A down-to-earth nature that could’ve easily been lost to fame. Thankfully, it hasn’t and probably never will.
Vincent, so much to discuss. Let’s talk this past year. Injuries. Olympics. New sponsors. How would you describe the past twelve months?
It was a crazy year. Crazy in both ways. Crazy in the sense it was great. But also crazy in terms of feeling ‘mentally crazy’. And it was tough, really tough. I injured myself pretty badly right before the Olympics. I wanted to do so well. I mean, first off, skating in the Olympics. It isn’t really what drives me. But to be an Olympian in your lifetime is crazy. I mean I’ve got that mindset, and I’ve been competitive ever since I was a kid. If I play a game, I want to win. So to be an Olympian is one thing. But to be an Olympian competing in your home country. The chance of the stars aligning in that moment, at a time when I’m arguably in my prime. When that hit home, I realised I had to do my best. But I overdid it. I was training so hard. I wasn’t filming. I was just skating my skatepark every day, trying to learn new tricks. And three months before, I injured myself. I fractured my ankle, and it should’ve been over. But I basically had the best rehabilitation of my life, stayed healthy, and did the right things. In a way, getting injured allowed me to skate well by the time the Olympics arrived. I was happy with my performance because I was in such a bad mindset before it. I wanted to do so well that I created all this unnecessary pressure on myself. Even after the Olympics, it took me time to recover and decompress. I kinda went into a mini depression. It was so intense. I’d had all these photoshoots with Adidas, and there were huge billboards of me all over Paris, in all the metro stations. And you try to ignore it, but unconsciously you’re completely aware of it.
And after achieving 4th in Tokyo, were you disappointed not to make the finals by finishing 9th in Paris?
A little. Because I skated so well in Tokyo, and 4th was the highest I could’ve achieved. Whereas 9th in Paris, not making the cut by such a small margin was disappointing, especially because I think there was an error in judging on the day. But it was still such a beautiful day. A truly incredible day. Hosting the Olympics at home. Hearing the public chanting ‘Milou, Milou, Milou’. Having all my family watch on in the stands. It was the most beautiful day of my life. Truly insane. The whole experience was incredible. But there was so much going on. It was definitely a lot. But if I had to do it all again, I would, just to relive the moment. Even though I would’ve done some things differently. You live and you learn.
Let’s talk about Adidas. You’ve been with them 3 years now. Talk me through that transition and experience so far?
I remember I was competing in Street League in Miami, and there was a crazy swell in Jacksonville. Which is kinda rare. So for three days, all I did was surf. On the third day I was about to sign and renew my Globe contract when Adidas Skateboarding’s team manager Al (Boglio) calls me and explains that Adidas Originals France want to sign me, with a bridge to skating for the Global team with Lucas (Puig), Silas (Baxter-Neal), Dennis (Busenitz) etc. So it’s only recently that I’ve signed a contract for Adidas Skateboarding Global. But it was tough. I was with Globe for years. Their head office is right by my home. It’s almost a local brand for me. Josh (Barrow), the TM, is a good friend too. But once Al called and said if I signed within two weeks, I’d be going on tour three weeks later with the whole crew, I had to make the call. Like, ‘Josh, I love you bro, but come on. I get to skate with Dennis Busenitz, man. You gotta understand’. And Josh totally got it, so all good.
And now a new board brand in the form of Element? It’s been quite a journey from Willy’s Workshop to Pizza to now, Element.
Willy (Santos) changed my life. He saw me skating at a contest in Denver. He was a judge, and he came over to see me and told me he wanted me to ride for Willy’s Workshop. Invited me to come and stay with him in California, just like that. I was eighteen at the time, so yeah, ten years ago now. We just clicked. He was like a ‘cool dad’. I mean, he’s a skater first and foremost, but he’s also a father.
And he’s also a legend. I mean Birdhouse’s The End.
It’s funny. I didn’t realise how much of a legend he is until I went to his house and saw all the pro models on the wall. There were around seventy boards. That’s when it hit home for me. I didn’t really know his story until he told me everything. Getting Reynolds on Birdhouse, etc. I mean, if Willy approves of you, it’s kind of a rite of passage, and I had to take the chance. I was so motivated, and it all felt so natural. Willy was the one pushing me to constantly get better, to skate bigger rails, etc., and everything just worked out. But Willy definitely opened up a lot of doors for me in the U.S. Even when I wanted to kickflip lipslide the Hollywood 16, he was the one who arranged a filmer and a photographer, etc. Remember, Instagram wasn’t what it is today, so Willy really helped elevate and showcase me on a higher platform.
And how did the move to Pizza happen?
I guess I got older. Moved out to California. Connected with those guys. Ducky (Kovacs) surfs, so we’d go surf together. He then took me to Sacramento, where I met all the guys, and we just connected. And it was so hard to leave Willy. It felt like family. I mean, I watched his kids grow up. They call me their big brother, and in a way, I was. I’d babysit. I’d cook for them. I lived there on and off for four years. So when I told them I was moving on, there were a lot of tears. But they understood. It felt like the right time for change, and it was a very natural move to Pizza. And riding for them for three years was so good. They’re some of the best people I’ve ever met. Some of the best connections I’ve ever made. Some of the best trips I’ve ever been on. I was sharing a place in SF with a bunch of those guys. They showed me everything in SF. They also got me into Crypto, hence the video we released called Ethereum. And eth and BTC served me well years later. I mean, I managed to buy a house back home y’know? Pizza changed my life.
Was it tough leaving them? Especially as it wasn’t for another brand?
So what happened is that two years ago, a few brands in the U.S. started to reach out tentatively. Girl, Primitive, Plan B. Even Jamie Thomas hit me up about joining Zero. Which is crazy. I mean Zero’s not really my vibe, but it’s iconic, and the fact they even reached out. I met up with Jamie and told him I didn’t feel suited to the brand. But he was still trying to convince me, and I respect that so much because he is a legend. So when all that started happening, just out of respect for Pizza, I told them my time was coming to an end. And the team had changed. People had grown older or moved to full-time jobs. But I wanted to leave on a high with a video part. I didn’t just wanna quit. So we worked on that for a year, and then we dropped Adieu, and that was it.
I think that story showcases just how respectful you are. For as long as I’ve known you Vincent, you’ve never become egotistical. You’ve always been so humble and managed to stay so down to earth. Where does that stem from? Your family?
I think so. I mean, first off, thank you, that’s very kind of you to say. I guess it’s just in my nature. There’s this thing from when I was young where certain people would never greet me. And now they say hello. I never liked that attitude, and I always said, if things work out for me, I’ll never be like that. I guess my family too. My parents are the only family members who live next to the coast. My brother’s a carpenter. I would never say to him, ‘Don’t talk to me like that, I’ve competed in the Olympics’. He wakes up at 5 am everyday and goes to work on construction sites even when it’s pissing with rain. It’s an honourable job y’know? It’s noble. They’re very working class. My parents divorced when I was young, so there was never much money. My grandad was a farmer and would provide food. I’d help him and my Dad grow vegetables in the garden. Now life’s good. I make a living skateboarding. I live in Paris. I have a house. I have a skatepark. My life is literally a dream. Even more than I could’ve ever dreamt. But I’ll never forget pulling potatoes with my Dad in the garden. He had two jobs once my parents divorced, so it wasn’t easy. And then the other half of my family lives in the mountains. They have a farm and raise livestock. They make cheese and jam.
It’s a working-class family.
Oh, for sure. They’re all incredible and have all these skills that I would love to learn. Making cheese. Growing vegetables. I mean, growing food to provide for your family is the most noble job in the world. My brother builds houses, and my family feeds homes. It’s all good having millions of followers on Instagram and making lots of money. But if you don’t know how to grow your own food, you’re gonna die. So I think those humble beginnings really helped shape who I am today.
Were they always supportive of skateboarding?
Always. I mean, at first, my family didn’t really get it. They were scared I’d hurt myself. But when they saw me crying because I couldn’t go skate, I think they understood that that’s what drives me. My Dad was a football coach, and my brother played at the highest level for the under-18s. So there was always a sporting element within my family. My Dad understood that. But he also understood that success comes with hard work, and so he instilled a hard-working ethic in me from a very young age.
Which is why you’ve achieved what you have in your career.
Perhaps. It’s definitely kept me grounded. I mean, I love the high life. Fashion shows etc. But I struggle with the attitude of a lot of people within it. Glued to their phones and their online status. I don’t wanna become like that. I’m honestly just happy to have a house and running water y’know? I want to be able to live long and grow my own food. My telephone is the least important item I own. I mean it’s easy to lose sight of that in Paris. I love living in Paris, but I can see the reality. Especially travelling as much as I do. Seeing the amount of homeless people in the U.S. That’s why it’s important for me to go back home and see my family. See my Mum and my Grandma. My Grandma still doesn’t understand what I do. If I’m not competing, she doesn’t understand how I earn money. So that also helps keep me grounded. She worked in a school all her life and helped my Grandad with the gardening. She literally spent her life educating and feeding people. So naturally, she doesn’t understand a kickflip.
Let’s talk surfing. You’re surfing more and more. How did that begin?
Yeah, I never wanted to showcase my surfing because of what people would think. But I guess I’ve become more comfortable with it the older I’ve become. I probably started when I was six. The first year my parents divorced, my Father also lost his job, so it was tough. But every evening, he would take us to go surfing, as we lived fifteen minutes away from the beach. I was always so scared of the ocean. As you know, Hossegor’s waves are no joke. But I always loved it. Once I was fourteen years old and got my moped, I had the liberty to just go to the beach with my boards whenever and really learn how to surf, and I just became addicted. To the point where I almost prefer surfing to skateboarding. I mean, I love skateboarding, but if I had to give it up, I could. Whereas I don’t think I could ever quit surfing. I just love the ocean. Even now, I’ll still go bodyboard or bodysurf. The ocean here is so capricious that I’ll take a surfboard, a bodyboard, and my swim fins. So whatever the conditions, I’m all set.
Who do you surf with when you’re back home?
Alone. I’ll just go on my own. I love it. It’s the only moment in my life when I can be alone. I can spend six hours at the beach on my own. Just being in the ocean, taking in all the views of the mountains. Or just laying on the beach in silence. I just love being back home in nature. I guess that’s also the reason I signed with Element. The fact it’s a brand close to home, a brand influenced by nature. They even told me that if I want to surf, then that’s part of the brand too. Being in touch with nature works for them on a marketing level too. Even in my recent video, I was literally paid to go and surf. Which is a dream. I mean, I never wanted any surf sponsors. It was always just a hobby. I didn’t want any obligations with it, the way I do with skateboarding. But I’m definitely hooked on it. Hooked on shore break barrels forever.
Are you still friends with everyone you grew up with?
It’s funny how things change. A lot of people I grew up skating with, I no longer see. Some of them stopped skating. Some of them grew up. A few people probably got jealous. I’m not sure. But it’s hard to keep in contact with everyone. Things change. But everyone I grew up with as a kid surfing or just hanging out with outside of skating, I’m still friends with to this day. They’ve never changed. Even if our lives have. But I mean, I grew up skating with George Poole, and he’s still one of my best friends to this day.
Quickly going back to Element. How was that move?
I’ve probably been in discussions with them for four years. But at the time, they couldn’t offer me anything concrete long-term. The company was getting taken over, etc. Lots of business elements. So during that time, (Sean) Malto mentioned Girl. Carlos (Ribeiro) was talking to me about Primitive. Felipe (Gustavo) with Plan B. But I knew it would probably be either Girl or Element. So I went on tour with both of them, and they were both great experiences for different reasons. But given that Element is based right by my house. Their head office is 20 minutes down the road at St Jean de Luz, and a few of my friends ride for them already. Having Phil (Zwijsen) as a TM. It just made sense for me. It felt natural and closer to home. I mean, even my Dad wears Element tees that are fifteen years old. I grew up with Element all around me. Obviously, riding for Girl was always a dream growing up, but Element just seemed logical. And their team. I mean, (Brandon) Westgate, Vitoria (Mendonça), Jaako (Ojanen). I’m a fan. Like, a mega fan. Also, Léo Cholet is joining the team. Tom (Barthélémy) just got a Free cover.
So what’s your plan now? What does the future hold?
Lots of trips. Both with Element and Adidas. Some Thrasher stuff. Some demos. Some contests. A lot of work commitments, I guess. But I’m so stoked. I also managed to get a deal where I ride for both Element and Adidas clothing, which is rare. But we made it work. And it means I get to do more with both brands. More tours. More photoshoots, etc. I just love travelling and skateboarding.
Quick-fire questions before we wrap up. Who are your three favourite skaters?
Daan Van der Linden. Love his style and how he destroys everything he skates. It’s effortless. It’s nonchalant. He doesn’t think, he just does it. He surfs too. All-time favourite is Marc Johnson. Pretty Sweet and Yeah, Right are my favourite. I guess when I was younger, I really looked up to Bastien (Salabanzi) and Lucas (Puig). But these days, maybe Simon Bannerot. He’s like water. He’s been to mine a bunch; he surfs a lot too. He’s one of my favourites.
Three favourites to skate with?
Daewon Song. 100%. Everything is easy for him. He’s always in a good mood. He’s always motivated. But very low key. If there are a lot of people around, he won’t skate. When we’re on tour, we always get up early so we’ll go on a side mission and go skate some bank that no one’s clocked. Everyone’s skating the curbs, and we’re down the road at some crusty bank.
It’s always fun skating with Daewon. Recently, Felipe Gustavo. He’s so nice and he always wants the best for you. He’s always pushing me in the best way. Even when I’m not feeling it, he’ll push me. He’s just so genuine. And skating with Léo Cholet is something too. Léo and Westgate. Westgate is so chill, and he has so much pop. He’s always smiling. Skating with him is always good. His switch game is insane, too. And all those guys are so stimulating to watch.
Three favourite surfers.
Mason Ho is one of my favourites. Torren Martin. Gerry Lopez. Love that old school style. Andy Irons is one of my all-time favourites. I don’t really like airs in surfing. It’s funny because I do love Noa Deane. His latest video Noz Vid is insane. But when he does airs, he tweaks them to the point where it’s almost skateboarding.
And last question, who would you like to thank?
I mean obviously, the list is huge. All my family, my friends, my girlfriend. The way they all support me is unbelievable. But I really want to thank Josh Barrow. He’s always backed me up and has always supported me in every way possible. So I’d like to thank Josh. I fucking love Josh.
