INDEPEN
MR. BILL RUFF
Question #1: Yes. The situations you get involved in and all the free things that get passed your way,
surpass any other form of entertainment anyone would ever want to get involved in.
Question #2: Yes, right, OK that question's not good. If you mean skating competitively maybe another
two years, but skating period. You can't quit period, you always have to ride once in a while. Even to the
store for transpo, you're still skating.
Question #3: Just because someone has a model doesn't mean an image should be nursed. The
person should just be themselves instead of trying to fake it.
Question #4: Just ride and don't worry about it. You're at the contest to have fun and maybe make
some money while doing it. There's way more pressure in the finals. But the idea is to feel comfortable
with what you've already done more than what you have to do.
Question #5: Whatever? There's not a horde of them but there's enough; if you want to 'rod-up' with
some you can. Probably the most well known is this chick from somewhere around Whittier or Anaheim.
Question #6: Playing instruments, a well hit golf shot, a large amount of money, right tactics, getting
equipment when you really need it, free food and drink.
IMR. MARK GATOR ROGOWSKI
Question #1: Of course!! Having been into something for so long and getting enjoyment plus out of it,
It must be important. In my situation, skateboarding and everything related isn't something you have to
make important, IT ALREADY IS!!
Question #2: Vertical bowlriding? I'll quit whenever my bod says 'Arthritis." But otherwise, if there's
muzak playing I'll be skating for fun, fun, fun!
Question #3: I don't know or care. If any pro is worried about, or unsure about who or what they are,
it's over right there. Success (in that area) is a balance between what you want other people to see and
what they want to see.
Question #3: It's every man for himself-no one gets soft hearted about anything. Eliminations tell
you how good you're going to do. Once you're in the finals-you feel in shape, in tune with yourself and
on top of the world.
Question #5: New friends can be as rewarding as old ones. I'm always meeting new groupies.
Groupies are always there, not always when needed. If there's too many at once, it gets too sociable in
a nonsense way.
Question #6: Not who or what, but the accomplishments and good times that have been had, also
what is to be expected in the future.
MR. AL LOSI
Question #1: Yes, because it's the thing I enjoy most in life.
Question #2: As long as my body lets me, because I slam quite often.
Question #3: It depends on the skater, some skaters do have an image but I'm just me. I do what I want.
Question #4: I personally have a good time at contests and believe in sportsmanship myself. People
that act different during a contest should think about what they say beforehand.
Question #5: Like or dislike them, it depends on the person, but the more the merrier. Hogo.
Question #6: Money, because I need it to live.
MR. LESTER KASAI
Question #1: Life as a pro skater is important. It's fun and most important it gives me a chance to feel
all the pressures and emotions involved with a professional sport.
Question #2: I keep skating 'til my body can't take anymore punishment. If I'm able to skate
physically I will do it.
Question #3: Yes. My image would be a good and healthy image because that's the way I am. If that
sells boards that's good. If it doesn't then that's too bad. I am what I am.
Question #4: My attitude towards fellow pros is really quite friendly. Because we all practice together
and all become good friends. All attitudes in eliminations and finals are all the same.
Question #5: There are not tactics, it's not needed. I don't know who to name. The groupies are not
worth it, they are all mostly nymphomaniacs.
Question #6: What inspires me the most is the fact that there are people out there in the world who
know who I am and root for me; it is as if they really care, just like all other sports.
MR. NEIL BLENDER
Question #1: Life as a pro isn't a life, it's just the same as a sponsored AM. There's no difference. No
it's not important to me, for I skate and progress. I don't like to think of it as a separate branch from
sponsored AMs.
Question #2: Il skate as long as it continues to be fun. And as long as some sponsor wants to send
me somewhere and pay for expenses, 'cause life just wasn't meant for getting careers and raises; jobs
suck. Schooling past 11th grade sucks.
Question #3: Oh Yes. Well it's what I'm doing now, skating, entering contests, passing out stickers.
Placing in contests is important. Also, flashy graphics plays a major role in sales, 'cause kids that don't
know how well you skate are often spontaneous buyers on emotional graphics, and that to me is like a
compulsive eater, or an alcoholic behind the wheel of a large automobile. It's stale.
Question #4: My attitude towards other pro skaters in a contest depends on how well they're skating
and if I'm taking that particular contest serious; if I want to do good and everyone else is blazing, I get
down on myself, and that becomes awfully self-defeating, which causes me to blow-out. I don't ever
hate another skater for ripping though.
Question #5: Tactics? I don't believe there are any tactics to use. Everyone exists, and whatever they
do, that's their problem.
Question #6: I'm inspired a great deal by perfection. Eddie Elquera
was just that. Craig Johnson also inspires me by his approach to
ramp and pool riding. Gettin' bio is the answer. Eric Grisham is
and will always be idolic.
MR. CHRISTIAN HOSOI
Question #1: It's O.K. We should make more money. I think the skaters put more into it than they
should. We work too hard, and have to deal with everybody. It should turn into a better sport.
Question #2: Probably a long time, 'cause I'm still young, nice and healthy, rarin' to go and trying to
beat Caballero. My goal is to beat Steve Caballero, my bro. Til my bones start hurting. A long time.
Another decade or so. You never know.
Question #3: Yes. My image is to not ignore things and not be lame about everything.
Question #4: You have to psyche 'em out as much as possible, give 'em a lot of luck,' that gets to
them too (your partners are doin' the same thing). So they fall, they will bail. You've got to psyche 'em out.
Question #5: What are tactics? The most well known skate groupie is this chick, some punker chick.
She likes to scam on all of the skateboarders and have that thing called sex. She likes to drink, buys
beer, she's old enough. So, that's cool.
Question #6: The feeling you get when you go bio. The feeling of the crowd when they're yelling at
your face. All of the girls!! All the attention I get. Like feeling you're a big star and I love it!!
THRASHER
MR. LANCE MOUNTAIN
Question #1: Skateboarding is very interesting and important, but as a professional it has more
importance in my life. I want to enjoy and be involved in skateboarding for the rest of my life. I would like
to help and improve the sport in the future; this makes it important to me now as a pro skater.
Question #2: I will skate in contests as long as possible, as long as I can enter and keep up with
skaters while enjoying it. Otherwise, I will ride as long as physically possible.
Question #3: No, I feel and think that an image is acting, or a fake. I believe that you should be like
you are, be yourself, no image. Although you should be cool and helpful to other skaters, this will sell
boards, although it's not the only way to sell boards. Boards can, and will, be sold heavily on an image.
Question #4: I don't go into a contest as an enemy, this doesn't mean I really get along or like all other
skates. But I try to be nice to all skaters. During a contest I don't really have an attitude toward other
skaters. I concentrate on my own skating and do the best I can.
Question #5: If you mean stale girls that hang out for H. I stay away from them, or completely thrash
on them. Most well known skate groupie. Always staying up with the latest trends, wears black scummy
clothes, earring down to her shoulder, 1% of make-up, black hair that is short in the back and long in
the front, over one eye, straggly and stale. She is always seen talking to anyone that has to do with
skating, talking about She started the sport and helped it so much,' she always has the facts wrong, as
if she knew anyway. She seems to be mooching around older and single men, or parents, or skaters
hoping for some. She has brought her sleeping bag to a few contests and is all around. Someone
everyone knows and wants to stay away from.
Question #6: Before being sponsored I was most inspired by other skaters and pros I rode with, like,
Ray Bones and Darrel Miller. As of right now, just getting on Powell has inspired me because it is a team
who really cares about the sport and riders. I believe teams must care about the sport before the
business in this case (skateboarding). Being on Powell will give me a future and a chance to stay in the
sport and work with the team.
INDEPENDENT MR. STEVE CABALLERO
Question #1: Yes, because it's what I do that makes my life fun. I've put a lot into skateboarding and
I'm gettin' a lot out of it.
Question #2: Possibly, as long as possible (I don't know) because I enjoy it (that's all said)!!!.
Question #3: Yes, I don't know. Just don't be stale.
Question #4: My attitude towards them is the same any time. I just worry about how I'm going to skate.
I don't ever think about it; why worry?
Question #5: I treat them as normal as anybody else, unless they get on my nerves. All skate grouples
look the same and act the same.
Question #6: The skate scene and all the people in it. Being on Powell Peralta. Because they treat
me very well. Stacy Peralta is a very good coach. Independent Trucks have got me stoked. Fausto is
really cool.
THER
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