Summer 2005
Mark Piano Age 31 Trinidad
Q. “When did you start skateboarding?”
A. “I have been skating for 28 years or so. I quit
for 6 years, but like Ronnie said, something about it always comes back.
I’ve been back on a board for 4 years now. I will be skating for the rest
of my life.”
Q. How important is skating in your life now?
A. “I give skate lessons at the skate park here (in
Trinidad). The class has an average of 68 applicants, and I narrow it down
to about 48 students. We meet every Sunday at the park for a few hours.”
Q. How old are the students?
A. “They vary in age from 9-33 years old. A lot of
girls are in the class, along with the 33 year-old who has never ridden
a board.”
Q. Do you see a lot of girls interested in the sport?
A. “Yes I do. I read an article in People magazine
about girl skaters, and in the next few years they are going to outnumber
us.”
Q. Are you married?
A. “Yes, and I have two beautiful daughters. I also
have a beautiful 11 year-old daughter from a previous relationship, so
in total I have three wonderful girls. My oldest has picked up a skateboard
recently and gave my 4 year-old one for Christmas. I think my little one
will be the one to stick with it though, she rides in the house and has
fallen more times than I can count. She always gets right back up and skates
more.”
Q. What advice do you have for anyone who wants to
start skating?
A. “The same advice I give my students; don’t be
scared, you’re going to fall, just get back up and keep with it. I advise
wearing at least a helmet; it’s a necessity to protect your head.”
Q. What do you think is the best way to improve skate
parks in Southern Colorado?
A. “Hire skaters to build them. Independent contractors
are good at most things, but look at the skate park in Pueblo. I don’t
mean to sound rude, but the elements in a skate park and the layout of
the park need to be constructed by someone who can imagine what it would
be like to skate it.”
Q. Are there companies out there that are run by skaters?
A. “Yes actually, I’m not sure who the built the
one in Canyon City, but I think it was Dreamland. [It was Team Pain, which
is owned by skaters.] The park here was built by Grindline, both are companies
run by skaters. Have you ever heard of Burnside?”
Q. Yeah, isn’t that in Oregon?
A. “Yes, that was the first skate park they built.
It was built illegally, and now they are a major park building company.
They still hire skaters to build parks for them.”
Q. Anything else?
A. “I also think the parks should be free, it is
a scam to make skaters pay to unite. More indoor parks would be nice too.
Colorado weather is unpredictable, but we always get snow in winter and
rain in the summer. It is hard to skate when the park is buried in feet
of snow.”
Q. Have you always lived in Colorado?
A. “No, I’ve lived here for about 7 years. I moved
from San Diego, California.”
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