The Skateboard Salesman Who Went Viral

A Unique Blend of Work and Passion

Samwise Sorter, a car salesman from Port Richey, has found an unconventional way to combine his job with his lifelong passion for skateboarding. Known for his unique approach, he often skates in his dress shoes, a habit that has become a signature part of his identity. On a recent Wednesday, after selling a young couple a used Honda Civic, he performed a celebratory kick flip in the parking lot, shouting, “Congratulations!” as he soared past them. He then skated by again and flipped them the keys behind his back.

Those who follow his social media or check out the Instagram page of Honda of Port Richey may have seen some of his videos. In one, he was dropping out of the bed of a Honda Ridgeline, while in another, he hit a trick after rolling through the showroom floor. There’s also the video where he skated to blow off steam before work, wearing a Honda polo tucked into clean khakis — until he wiped out and wrecked them on the sidewalk. Despite the mishap, he eventually landed the trick, showcasing the determination that has become a hallmark of his skating journey.

Building a Following

Over the past 18 months, Sorter has grown his Instagram following to more than 77,000, with some of his videos receiving millions of views. His unique style has even attracted young fans who show up at the dealership wanting to skate. At his cubicle, surrounded by his kids’ crayon drawings and a Thrasher hoodie draped over his chair, he expresses gratitude for being able to merge his job with his love for skateboarding.

While he doesn’t skate at work all that often — he still has to sell cars — his bosses at the dealership fully support his passion. Sales manager Alex Morris said, “I love it. I had someone I know find out I work with him and hit me up to say, ‘You know Samwise? That guy rips.’”

Sponsorships and Recognition

Sorter has also gained recognition from sponsors like Westside Skateshop in Tarpon Springs, run by pro skater John Montesi. Montesi made Sorter part of the shop’s team, which Sorter described as a huge honor. “To be sponsored by a skate shop, to have 70,000 people watching me? I never thought I’d go from practicing in my garage alone, talking to a broom about how to ollie, to this.”

His journey began more than 30 years ago with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, his first exposure to skateboarding. When neighborhood kids realized he was game to try anything, they let him use their boards. By the time he was 10, his mom bought him his own board. After that, he spent hours in the garage skating until after midnight.

A New Chapter

As he grew older, his family moved around, but his skateboard always broke the ice. He became an ambassador for the culture, teaching others how to ride. However, as he grew up, had children young, and started working at dealerships, he skated less. A month or two would go by without touching his board.

Then the pandemic hit, and he and his family moved to Florida. In the sunshine, he started skating more regularly, and his wife encouraged him to document it. “I was just doing it so that someday I’d be able to show my grandchildren and have them be like, ‘Grandpa was cool.’”

Going Viral

As he commuted to work on U.S. 19, he started scanning for “gaps,” which in skateboarding means a space between two surfaces or a drop-off in elevation. One day, he decided to take on a gap in front of a golf cart dealership. Dressed in a gray, quarter-zip fleece over a shirt and tie, he told the camera, “I need to go do that gap.” The video quickly went viral, with millions watching and thousands commenting.

The response was overwhelming. People from all walks of life commented, saying the video inspired them to get back into skateboarding. Sorter received messages from major skate brands and even from his favorite skater, Chad Muska, who sent him a signed pair of shoes.

Embracing the Everyman Image

Sorter believes his video went viral because he played the everyman. Here’s a guy with a stressful job, probably tired, but instead of just daydreaming about the thing he loves, he does it. This resonated with many, especially those longing for their carefree youth or facing a life of responsibility.

He also enjoys the jokes, like one that said, “Love how he goes and rawdogs a gap after work like he don’t have a serious quarterly meeting tomorrow and a house note.” His look — short, balding, a little overweight, eating McDonald’s for breakfast — makes him relatable to many.

Continuing the Legacy

Sorter continues to post videos regularly, often featuring himself in his work clothes or mentioning his age. His social media is now monetized and brings in a modest amount on the side. If the crossover with Port Richey Honda helps him sell some cars, why not?

He hopes he’s still teaching people, just as he did decades ago. Whether it’s showing them how to skate a gap or how to reconnect with the joys we set aside, he remains committed to inspiring others. Strangers often reach out, wanting to skate together, and he invites them to Skate Sundays at Westside Skate Shop.

At the skate park, he sees the same energy when a little kid tries to drop in for the first time. All the pros stop what they’re doing to help, and everyone applauds. The same energy translates to watching a 42-year-old car salesman skate a gap.