Summer 2005

Q&A with Southern Colorado Skateboarders

By Gabe Toth

Skateboarding is seen in the eyes of some as a trend, a lifestyle, a sport and a voice of rebellion. Those who have the bravado to fly down concrete on a board with wheels get hooked. Skate parks are not filled only with seasoned professionals. In Southern Colorado exists a positive relationship between the older generation, the ones who have watched skating grow into the movement it is today and the ten and under crowd, the future of the sport.

Anyone can ride a board. With enough determination and patience one can master any desired skill. Skateboarding, however, is one sport that is completely all-inclusive. Any race, religion or sex can feel comfortable gliding down the street on a six inch board with wheels attached.

Page after page in Thrasher magazine are littered with the stories of every different kind of person on the planet with one simple thing in common; the ability and love of skating. The stories are told in the words of the skaters, as they are here. Three stories of different skaters told in words of their choosing.

Tyler Van Duyn Age: 21 Pueblo

Q. How old were you when you started skating?
A. “I started in about 1998 when I was 12 or 13 years old.”

Q. Describe the perfect day to skate.
A. “Getting up at 12:00 or 1:00, grabbing my board, going out with the homies and not getting hassled by the cops. As far as the weather, as long as it’s not windy the day is perfect.”

Q. What do you get out of skating?
A. “Like anything else it’s an outlet. I would say a lifestyle to some, but to me it’s more like being an artist, only I have a board instead of a brush. It’s fun, a great way to relieve stress and you get to hang out with friends.”

Q. Have you broken any bones?
A. Laughter, “Yes I have broken many bones; I think it’s a requirement.”

Q. Any advice for aspiring skaters?
A. “Have fun with it. If you aren’t having fun, try something else.”

Ronnie Barela Age: 23 Trinidad

Q. When did skating become a part of your life?
A. “The first time I ever touched a skateboard I was in first or second grade. All my brother and I wanted for Christmas were skateboards; we lucked out that year and got them. We skated together for about a year, and then I quit and started again in high school.”

Q. Why skate?
A. “It’s a challenge, a thrill, and it’s so much fun to go that fast on your feet.”

Q. Have you broken any bones?
A. “No but that is because I only go out about three times a week to skate.”

Q. Do you think you will ever quit skating?
A. “Yes I think so, but then again, I have quit and started again. Something about skating, it always comes back to me. I will just stop skating, loose my board and then one day a new board appears and I start again.”

Q. Do you have any advice for young kids who want to start skating?
A. “Don’t give up, just keep at it. Skate for yourself and your own reasons, not because someone wants you to or thinks it’s cool.”

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.”