HEADS 0000 ALAN
ALAN PETERSEN
LAN PETERSEN DOESN'T
have a lot to say. To be
blunt, he'd rather not say a word
at all. In an age when footage
judges the character and board
sales of a skater, Alan has kept
quiet, listening to the skateboard
world behind the lines of
Consolidated Skateboards. AP
has had his name on the bottom
of a board for the past ten years,
letting his skating do the talking.
You can label him "the man in
black" or "demo dog," but the
only label Alan would accept
would be "skater."
Alan, you watch a lot of television.
Do you watch it for entertainment?
was there and walked around Haight
Street without a clue.
Was your number 420?
It was 13, but 420 would have
been stoney.
If you had to put a number on
someone in skating right now, who
would you give number 1 to?
I would give Andy Mac a big fat 0.
You don't think he deserves
better? What do you have to do,
in your opinion, to be on top of
the game, or does that even
matter to you?
Not the quarterback of the football
team-I don't know what the top.
feels like, but I heard it's lonely.
You've been in the skateboard
industry for a while now, and
LOVES ADVIL
Do you think coverage is important
to keep going in the industry?
Sure. It doesn't hurt. But some
skaters go overboard with coverage.
When was the last time you
entered a pro contest?
I don't know, but I'm going to Tampa
this month.
What is your favorite part of skating?
Why do you keep doing it?
The new parks, pools, and con-
crete jungles. I keep doing it because
it's unpredictable.
What is the best park you've
ever ridden?
I've skated tons around the world,
but my favorite is Marseille.
Is there a nude beach there?
No nude fish.
Left to right:
Homespun ceiling
crunch...to fakie! Alan
receives the Stigmata.
Feeble grind transfer.
Ten years later and still
taking the big drops.
Ollie over the rail.
Or do you watch it because you
like to make fun of everything you
see on the damn thing?
I love TV and I love being lazy. I wish
my TV only showed NASCAR 24/7.
I remember that you tried to
explain car racing to me but I still
do not get it. What's the big deal
with watching a bunch of cars
going in a circle over and over?
The only way to respect and
understand it is to go to a race. But
remember to wear your number 3 or
number 8 T-shirt.
Who is number 3?
The Intimidator, Dale Earnhardt.
Number 8 is Dale Jr.
Aren't you glad you don't have
to have a number on your back
in skateboarding?
I did at the X Games, and I forgot it
skating for even longer. When
did you turn pro?
In 1990 for SMA. I'm in it for life.
Being in it for so long, I've seen people
come and go, and come back for the
new payouts. The image copycats are a
kick in the pants too.
How long have you been pro
for Consolidated?
Seven years, since the get-go. It's a
lifelong family with a lot of guts.
You said you have seen a lot of
people come and go. How have you
stayed in the game for so long?
I try not to think about how long it's
been, but I hope it will last forever.
Now that you're older, do you feel
your body has a lower tolerance?
Of course the tolerance level lowers
and the consequences are major. It's a
drag getting older. I love Advil.
What's up with Australia? You
always seem to go there.
It's the best. You seriously need to
go there.
How do you get there?
Kwala Distribution, and the
Mackenzie family sends me.
What ever happened to "the man
in black"?
Johnny Cash still makes country
sounds.
So you're still taking your guns
to town?
Yep.
Let me guess... backside ollies?
Big guns.
What's next for AP? Handrails?
Hardflips?
No, probably Captain Crunch and
Kool-Aid.
-Nik Freitas