Update: It turns out the press misrepresented the facts. Imagine that. Make sure you check out a reply from the twins father Michael after you are done reading my flippant remarks.
From the Taipei Times (?) comes this article titled The Sky’s the Limit: A downward shift in the skateboarding demographic and the accessibility provided by the Internet has major labels seeking to endorse kids as young as seven. The article highlights the Puehse Twins success and rampant internet popularity:
None of this would have been possible without the support of their father, Michael, a man with a vision, a video camera and a marketing plan.
Nothing like a father with a “marketing plan” for his six your old kids. Yes, he started trying to market his kids at the age of six. I have nothing against the Puehse Twins. I think it would be fun to see them skate, and I wish them all the success in the world. It worked for Tiger Woods’ father, so why not Michael Puehse?
Skateboards, safety gear, road trips, video camera and web site to market your skateboarding twins: $8000.
The look on dad’s face when the twins reach adolescence and decide they aren’t into it anymore: Priceless.
Watch out Puehse Twins. There’s always someone younger gunning for you, and I’m about to start cross training my wife’s unborn fetus.
Michael Puehse rebuttal
Michael Puehse sent me an email after reading this post. Here’s what he had to say.
Someone sent me a link to your recent post.  When Tristan and Nic started skating 3 years ago, I knew nothing about the sport or even had an interest in it. As their passion developed for the sport, my wife and I learned the sport and made the decision to support them 110%. We do this because we love them, not for any future end result or goal.Â
The skateboards, safety gear, roadtrips are because we love them, enjoy spending time together as a family and want them to be safe and have fun. Yes, I have a video camera and film them, as do lots of other skaters and their parents. The primary reason I film them is because I enjoy it, but more importantly, it is for my wife and I to watch when we are 70 years old (God-willing) and remember these times.
The website is a way of giving back to their sponsors who have been extremely supportive. In fact, the website is run by a friend who donates his time and costs us nothing.
Honesty and truly, if Tristan and Nic decided to stop skating tomorrow, I would have no problem with it at all. The look on my face would not be priceless because at the end of the day, all I hope and pray for is their happiness and health.Â
It’s not below us here at Skate and Annoy to make a few off the cuff remarks concerning skateboarding as it is portrayed in the mass media. Heck it’s our job even, or would be if someone payed us. But we’re also not afraid to admit when we are wrong. I responded to Michael that perhaps I was a bit harsh because the article made it seem a like the Puehse twins situation was similar to those child actors that get pushed into Hollywood by their parents. To which Michael responded:
I agree with you. Not once during any of the interviews did I discuss a vision or marketing plan because there isn’t one.
So there you have it. I behaved like a small person. Don’t believe the hype. The Puehse twins enjoy skateboarding, and their parents enjoy facilitating that. Sounds good to me.
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