You’ve read about them in the forums, seen them develop from a science project in the garage into reality and, maybe, even scored yourself a set directly from Zak “T.V.A.R.” Maytum.  The formula is perfected.  Super mixes, extensive testing, and TVAR’s obsession to be the best have made them a must-have for longboarders and a not-so-secret weapon on the race courses.  They are Venom bushings and they are hereby released upon you!

Did we mention he’s still in HIGH SCHOOL?! This kid has managed to start an A+ bushing company all while being a full time student. We snagged Zak away from his studies (not kidding) and his harem of adoring cheerleaders (sorta kidding) to ask him some questions about Venom. We’ve got that, below, along with… giant eye candy depictions of the new Venom bushings and a few “But wait, there’s more!” nuggets.  Check it out!

The Venom Interview Session

Why did you start pouring bushings in your garage?

I really did it just to prove to myself that I could do it. Well, the truth is, I never really planned on making bushings. I really wanted to pour my own wheels. The wheels I made came out pretty well. I tried different urethanes and formula tweaks until I had something I was pretty happy with. I wanted to make a bunch more wheels and maybe start a little wheel company, but I had one problem: No cash. I tried to think of something I could do to finance a wheel company. Bushings were the obvious solution as I’d been cutting up wheels to make bushings for a while. They’re cheap to produce and there are a million different shapes. I knew that a formula that was good for a wheel was probably going to be good for a bushing to so I did some research on casting, found a good polymer supplier, and gave bushings a shot instead.

Are they still being poured in your garage?

No.  They’re no longer poured in my garage, or anyone else’s garage for that matter.  When I decided to step it up and take Venom to where I really wanted it to be, I knew I had to stop producing them myself.  My operation was tiny, and had lots of room for error. There is no way I could have produced the kinds of numbers I need.  They are now professionally poured in the original formula and I don’t have to wear a gas mask as often as I used to (urethane vapors are baaad).

We've skated them.  We want to know what makes Venom Bushings so good, for real.

Mostly, it’s the formula.  They are made out of a kind of unique urethane that has a much higher rebound than anything else on the market right now. The result is a really “snappy” and responsive feel. The higher rebound you have, the quicker your truck will return to center, and the harder it will hold a line. This makes for a much more stable, controlled ride, without sacrificing any amount of turn.

How did you test Venoms? What processes got you to where you are now with the formula?

I did all of my testing and development when I was still mixing and pouring it all by hand.  I did a huge amount of test pours of about 20 bushings all of which featured different changes to the formulas. I also changed the shapes a lot.  I just kept experimenting until I found the one magic mix that blew all the others away. That’s what I’m using now.

What’s the link between Venom and Paris trucks?

Paris trucks will be featuring the Venom Bushing standard in all of their trucks!  I think this is huge because, up until now, no truck has a great bushing out of the box.  Bushings are the biggest determining factor in how a setup rides, and now, every board with Paris Trucks will have some of the best bushings you can get, stock.  Paris is really setting the bar high this time and they’re helping me make dreams come true.

Where do you see Venom in 5 years from now?

I picture Venom being on the cutting edge of bushing advancement.  I want to see all of my “just crazy enough to work” shape and formula ideas come to life and maybe unlock a new level of performance.  

Any new products you’re working on now?

Right now, I’m working on 2 new things that I’m pretty excited about. I realize the demand for a high rebound, big bushing like the Tracker Stimulator. That’s priority number one on the drawing board.  Second, you know I’ve been playing around with some wheel prototypes for a little while here, too.  I’m trying out some new technology on the core as well as what I think is a wheel shape with huge potential.  I have plans for a couple other new bushings next year as well as maybe some boards down the line. We’re also working on Venom tees, stickers, and hoodies, that good stuff too.

Do you have a Venom team yet?

I have been building my dream team for a while now, and I’m pretty excited about it.  I have tried to recruit some of the most influential people in longboarding right now and I've got teams, baby!

The Pro Team is:

1.    Kevin “K-rimes” Reimer. Kevin is one of the most successful Downhill racers right now who has racked up an incredibly amount of podiums this year in Canada, Europe, and America.

2.    Brent “Dubester” Dubendorf, the unofficial fastest man on a skateboard, going close to 80mph more times than anyone else.  He was featured in your “Quest for Speed” article and he lives it.

3.    James Kelly, “The American Dream” who placed second at the IGSA World Championships this year and is becoming quite force to reckon with in the racing world.

4.    Brianne Davies, Women’s World Champion. She even dominates a good portion of the men in a lot of cases.

5.    Chiara Poscente, Unofficial world’s fastest woman, clocked at over 70mph.

The Flow Team is...well, they know who they are.

The Pagan Crew is:  Justin Dubois, Kevin Cooper, and Tom Settler.  These are a group of Colorado local rippers who are always the coolest guys on the hill at events, though they may not be the fastest. 

I really want to have a team that people getting into longboarding can look up to and go to for help.  I think we can expect good things from everyone involved in the future.

Where can we buy Venom Bushings other than the forums?

I am so done with selling in the forums!  It was great, but got to be too much.  The thing is now, shops and distributors can get them through Resource Distribution. Or you can find them through your favorite local or online shop. If they don't have them, demand them!  [We have a listing of online sources, below.  –Ed.]

Do you have a website?

Yes. Venombushings.com. It’s currently under construction, but you can contact me now at Venombushings@gmail.com or for shop and dealer inquires you can hit us up at Resource Distribution at sales@resourcedist.com.

Do you have any last words for any skateboard entrepreneurs out there?

I’d say just make the product that you have always wished another company would come out with. Not only will you satisfy your own curiosity, but chances are that, if you want it to exist, there’s a whole bunch of other people who would like it too.

[Zak is hard at work designing new molds and formulas for the next round.

Ever heard of Tracker Stims? Wait for Venom Stims!  Oh, yes!]

Where you can get Venom Bushings:

•  Mile High Skates

•  Daddies Board Shop

•  The Longboard Store

•  Legendary Longboards

•  Longboard Skater

•  Resource Distribution

(They're about $7.00 a set.)

Click Here to read the older "Zak Maytum Interview".