SIX IMPORTANT
QUESTIONS
In order to find out what makes dynamo skateboarders tick, THRASHER randomly sent a questionnaire containing Six Important Ques-
tions to 13 pro skaters. Included were instructions which were to be followed right down to the letter to assure uniformity and reliability.
For example:
"When filling out this form, please use only pen. We are taking this precaution so as to prevent anyone from tampering with your answers."
Of the thirteen forms sent out into the world, twelve came back. In some respects, some answers for certain questions were similar. But
as the age bracket widens, the answers began to differ considerably.
The six questions are:
Question #1: Is life as a professional skateboarder very important to you? Why or why not?
Question #2: How much longer do you see yourself skating as a Pro? Why?
Question #3: Do you feel professional skateboarders with signature models should maintain an image in order to encourage board sales? If 'Yes' what
is, or what would yours be? If 'No,' why not?
Question #4: What is your competitive attitude towards fellow pro skateboarders during a contest, and is there a difference between your attitude during
eliminations and during finals?
Question #5: What are your tactics with skate groupies? Without naming names, describe the most well known skate groupie?
Question #6: What, or who, inspires you most? Why?
And here are the Pros with their answers:
MR. MICKE ALBA
Question #1: In a way, yes. In a way no. During circa 78-79-80, being a pro athlete was great. I held
it in high esteem. It is neat being thought of as someone special; that you are able to use your ability to
its highest potential, and this potential is better than someone else's. Now it is mediocre. Why? Because
I feel that there is a lot less competition. Not only in contests, but also between combatants. A dwindled
amount of sessions, fewer areas to skate, reduced organization all add to the decreased self image.
Question #2: Skating is a disease; like that of cancer. Once you have been infected, good luck getting
it out of your blood.
Question #3: Yes, an image should be kept though finding an image is hard. The best way to get an
image is to just skate, all of the time. Then, sooner or later, someone will cap an image on you. There
you go, now you have an image. I think explaining your phantom is extremely difficult, so I shant persist.
Question #4: Mind games are always omnipresent, whether in a contest or not. In a contest, my main
attitude is "I have better endurance, consistency than him. Let him make the mistake, then I'll capitalize
on it." I think that consistency is the superlative mind boggler. You are head to head 1st and 2nd is at
stake, the stake, the excitement in the highest stage, and your contender for the last week has made
his whole run every time, never missing a pump, nor foot placement on the board. Perpetually executing
bio runs. You have made maybe 5 complete good runs. Definite mind game.
Different times of the contest bring about different attitudes and game plans. In the beginning you
basically have one thing on your mind. Throughout the contest you have to change plans around to
come out victorious. These changes in game plans are also changes of attitudes toward your rival.
Question #5: Avoid them! They are trendy and do nothing themselves. They have to follow. Poor
cretins. Seeing how I avoid them, I do not know the king. But because they are so predictable describing
one would not be that difficult. I do not want to waste my lead.
Question #6: Anyone who does not put you down. The people who are behind you 100% (Ex: Circa
79, D. David, Parents). Constructive criticism is needed sometimes, but there is a place for everything
(Get the hint V.) Another great motivator for me is myself. Once you are started by outsiders and you
realize you could be someone, then competition in oneself helps a lot. I also thrive on competition, both
mental and physical.
MR. TONY MAGNUSSENI
Question #1: It is very important to me because it is something that makes me happy and will last for
the rest of my life. Even though you're pro and have a model and people tell how rad you are, the most
important thing is when I go to the park and nobody is there. I skate and have a complete blast doing it.
Your basic skating is the most important thing.
Question #2: I'll be skating in Pro competition as long as I'm around and able to get there. It matters
less whether you win or not, it is how good you do to your own standard. Age also matters less. It seems
like some people think you gotta be 14-15 to be rad but what happens in 2-3 years. If Stevie C. is still
skatin' he'll still be radder than most people.
Question #3: Yes/No. As for myself I don't have an image that's different from my own personality. I
don't mind people creating an image for themselves to increase board sales. I think if you skate for a
company who does good work and promotion and you skate good your board will sell pretty good.
Question #4: My competitive attitude is very strong in a contest, not in a negative way to fellow pros
at all. In my own mind I relax more and skate better in finals, sometimes eliminations can be a lot harder
than finals.
Question #5: I had to deal with skate groupies a lot more when I skated in Sweden during "77,78,79
because we did a lot of touring and demos and a show every weekend in our indoor skatepark
"Newsporthouse." The typical skate groupies out here would maybe be girls 13-14 around the park.
Question #6: As far as ways to skate, little tricks and such. I get inspired by most people who own a
skateboard, L.e. top Pros, top AMs, the dude on the street. My main driving force dwells inside my own
skating. I generate inspiration when I go skate and it gets more and more until your body gets exhausted
(or if you have to be somewhere and quit in the middle). My wife gives me a lot of inspiration too. She
really likes my skating and that's important to me.
MR. ROB ROSKOPP
Question #1: Yea! Pretty much 'cuz it makes me feel like I've accomplished something. After a few
years of skating I set a goal to turn pro. I knew it would take a while, but I proved to myself I could do it
and I did it. Feels great!
Question #2: As long as I feel myself progressing and feel I'm competitive and as long as my body
lasts. I see myself competing 2 more years, at least I hope that long.
Question #3: Yes, the skateboard legends such as Olson, Peters, Alva, Bowman etc....But today not
as much. The skaters skating should speak for itself. As far as an image, be yourself.
Question #4: My attitude varies on how good I'm riding that day, but the whole thing of skating is to
have fun. If you win or do pretty good that day you feel that you have accomplished something. In the
finals there's always an edge you want to have on the others, but then again, you're out there to show
what you can do have fun.
Question #5: To me there really isn't such a thing as a skate groupie-they're just skaters like
everybody else. I basically hang around a few people. We skate by ourselves so I really don't see what
you call skate groupies.
Question #6: Right now, skating backyard pools!! Skaters that have influenced what I do on my board
are Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain, 'Gator,' Mickie and Christ.
SHER
UNCIL
MR. TONY HAWKI
THRAS
Question #1: Life as a professional skateboarder is very important to me because it gives me a sense
of not being the same old kid next door who made the All Stars of Little League or who plays the piano
up to ten hours a day. It lets me feel unattached from all the trendies (ie. preppies, mods, etc.).
Question #2: I see myself skating for a few more years as a Pro because if skating progresses any
further I want to be part of it. Although after I reach my peak (which I might be doing right now), it will be
very difficult to maintain being on the top.
Question #3: Yes. I would like to maintain an image as a humorous, good spirited, and good skating
kid; if I cannot have this image, it is bad for many, my sponsor, me, my fans (if any).
Question #4: My competitive attitude towards fellow Pro skaters in the midst of a contest is humourous
and trying to be relaxed. But in the preliminaries and the finals my attitude is very intense and even more
serious.
Question #5: I just act as myself among skate groupies. The most well known skate groupie always
hangs around Pros, tells everyone else he knows the pros, and always asks them for skate equipment.
Question #6: Eddie Elquera inspired me most because he quit skating, he was the best, the top Pro
skater in the world. Neil Blender, also, because he's such a humorous, clever,
MR. JOHN GIBSON
Question #1: Yes. It is because I've always wanted to be Pro. Ever since I started skating 8 years ago,
I just proved to myself and everyone else I can do what I put my mind to.
Question #2: I'll skate Pro as long as I can or as long as there is a Pro scene.
Question #3: No. If you're good enough to have you're own model you can have any image you want
no matter if it sells boards or not. Just so long as you think it looks good and expresses you as a
skateboarder.
Question #4: To me there is. I like to concentrate and try not to talk to the other skaters so I won't break
that concentration. It's not like I'm being rude or anything, it's just competition.
Question #5: I have no tactics with skate groupies. I see these girls at contests and one night they're
with one skater and the next night with another, etc. I just say, "Where did these sluts come from?"
Question #6: Skateboarding inspires me the most because every time we watch films or start talking
about skating I just want to go skate.
witty guy.
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