The ‘Skateboarders’ Category:
Checking In With Fred Olande – Interview With Europeskate
June 17th, 2010 / 2 Comments » / by Jonathan Young
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from one Fred Olande letting me know that I had spelled his name wrong in one of the articles I had written a while back. No big deal so I checked it out.
Wait a second I said – the same Fred Olande from way back in the 90’s? Oh yeah, the vert rat who rode for companies like H-Street and New Deal Skateboards which left a huge impression on skateboarding, paving the way to where we are today. Fred had some serious skills which he put to the test especially in halfpipes and I can bet that some of these tricks haven’t been done in a while by any pro, that’s how tough some of his tricks were.
After getting the spelling right with Fred’s name, he even answered some questions for us. Sorry for the lack of pictures in this interview – can you guess who he’s hanging out with in the picture above? Make sure you watch the video so you can see how good he was already 20 years ago!
Fred, give us a little history lesson about yourself. When did you get started with skateboarding and when did you skate for which companies?
I started skating after I seen the first bones brigade video in 86 and just like everyone else I just skated with friends and decided to build a ramp. I called a few companies to get sponsored and then I talked to George Wilson of Z Boyz and I told them I had a ramp and the next weekend most of their team came down from LA and they just wanted to ride my ramp but ended up liking the way I skated so after that I was on their team and that was in 87. After I was a Z boy I rode for Blockhead and then Santa Cruz and then H-Street and my last team was The New Deal.
Who were you skating with back then and who were the big names for you?
I skated with Danny Way and Peter Hewitt quite a bit. Peter would come down to my ramp in Imperial Beach and we would skate all weekend long when we were in High School. In 1987 we had a little contest in my backyard and that is when I met Danny Way. He won the contest in the backyard and I took 3rd out of 5 people and from then on we became friends. As far as later on the next few years the big names were Jordan Richter, Brent Schneider, Alphonso Rawls, Matt Moffett, Sean Andrew, Derek Williams, Bucky Laskek, So many people to name.
Traveling and skateboarding go hand in hand – where did you get to go and what was one the most memorable experiences?
When I first was on Z when I was 15 it seemed like we drove to every contest. Every week we were in Arizona, Nevada, Northern California etc going to amateur contest. Later on when I turned pro for New Deal I traveled to England, Dominican Republic, Mexico City all the states etc. I been to a lot of places and met a lot of good people but I would say my most memorable trip is when we went to the Domincan Republic to do a demo back in 91. It was me Mike Vallely, Ed Templeton, John Montesi and Neal Hendrix. That was a crazy demo and the people were crazy rocking the van we were in and just the overall environment. I would love to go there now I heard it is a really beautiful place.
I never got to see the world when I traveled because most of the time you would fly to a demo or contest and then go do the demo and then stay in your hotel and leave the next morning, I never really got to sight see and do the things I would do now as an older person. I guess when I was young I didn’t care though. If I could do it again I would be a full on tourist. We did get to see England because we were there for awhile and that is a great place.
Were you a contest skater or did you like the normal sessions more?
I always like to compete and love the adrenaline of contest so I wasn’t the type of person that didn’t want to do contest but having a normal session with all your friends is something that you will always remember. I guess you will remember if you did well in a contest too but there was nothing like skating all day with your friends and learning new tricks and just having fun with no stress.
What are the biggest differences you see between the contests today and back in the 90’s?
Obviously the money and all the different places where they have all the contest. My first pro contest was in Jacksonville and I remember it cost like a 1000 bucks or more to get there and first place was a 1000 bucks and second place was like 500 bucks. That was when skating vert was basically dead and now they have The Maloof, Rob Dydreks series, X-Games, Dew. We had NSA (National Skateboarding Assoc.) and that was it. Skateboarding is so big now.
How are you still involved in skateboarding and with the topic skate parks?
One of my friends asked me to help them get a skatepark in my city of Imperial beach,CA so I guess I am on a skateboard committee that gives ideas to the city etc. Other than that I skate once in awhile and also more of a spectator now.
Ever dreamed of riding the Mega Ramp?
I think to myself if I still skated everyday and than I could do it but I guess all’s it would be now is only a dream for me to do something like that.
Skateboarding itself has moved from the semi-underground movement to a multi-million (if not billion) dollar industry around the world. What do you think about this massive development, is it all good?
I guess it is good for the people putting on the contest and the owners of the different companies. Also the people who are consistently placing in the top 10 of these huge contest but it seems to me if you only have a board sponser and are professional than you still have to have a job to live in this economy to make ends meet. But I am glad its making more kids skate because of all the attention. I don’t know if its all good though.
You are a family man with three children – I heard you have a mini ramp in your backyard (from the Joe Doe Zine Blog Talk interview). How is it like to teach your own son how to skate?
My son loves skateboarding and all sports. He wanted a ramp in the backyard so I built him one. I started taking him to all the parks and he caught on fast. He goes in and out of playing baseball and then skating, playing football and then skating etc. He could be good because he is not afraid, he falls hard sometimes and although he is only 6 he brushes it off and then gets back on it. It should say I try to teach him but I think he learns more when he sees kids his age that are better than him and then he goes balls out to learn a trick
Which skaters are catching your attention these days and why?
I always want to see what Bucky is doing next. Also P.Rod, Lutzka, Schekler, and of course my good friend Peter Hewitt. I am glad he never slowed down and I am proud of him.
Any final words for us?
First off thanks for the questions I really appreciate it. And thanks to all my friends past/present who I met throughout my skating days. Thanks to all the people who sponsored me and thanks to Alphonzo Rawls and Sal Barbier for being my good friends to this day. Stay Gold Ponyboy!!
» New Deal Demo @ 1991 Birmingham, Alabama : pictures on the Team Ping website
Arto Saari At Home And On The Road Video
January 28th, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by Jonathan Young
Take a ride with Arto Saari through some days in his life. Read more…
John Cardiel Checking Spots In Sacramento
January 28th, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by Jonathan Young
Ride along with John Cardiel in Sacramento checking skate spots in this video… Read more…
Danny Way – 20 Years Of Pro Skateboarding
October 22nd, 2009 / No Comments » / by Jonathan Young
Plan B Skateboards has put together a extensive tribute page for Danny Way and his 20 years of pro skateboarding. The page features loads of photos, his magazine covers and all of his major video parts. Man, even his part in Hocus Pocus is already great and that was in 1989!
Make the jump over to the Danny Way tribute page and as an extra goodie, here’s a clip with Danny Way’s part from the legendary DC Video.
Lee Bender and the American Health System
October 13th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Jonathan Young
Not everything in skateboarding is all about fun. Real life will continue to follow us and that’s why you should watch the following video. Lee Bender – former pro skater – talks in this moving video about his problems with him being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the costs which despite comparatively good coverage have him facing over $36,000 in debt for treatment over the last 18 months. Austin Considine created the series which got me thinking again – time to hit the skate park tonight!
Faces of American Health Care, Part 2: Former Pro Skater, Lee Bender from austin considine on Vimeo.
Mike Carroll and Erica Yary Q & A time
September 17th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Jonathan Young
Long time pro skater Mike Carroll relaxed with Active Ride Shop rep Erica Yary (don’t know her? she sure knows the scene, check out her Twitter feed here…) and did a little Q & A while sipping some drinks and shooting with his bb gun.
Chris Troy – Mag Minute Video
September 15th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Jonathan Young
Chris Troy is one smooth operator on his board, starting it off in his Mag Minute with a backside smith BS 360 off a ledge – nice one!
Ben Raemers skates for enjoi
September 3rd, 2009 / No Comments » / by Jonathan Young
The UK skaters have been taking a big step forward in the last couple of years, showing skaters around the world that there certainly are enough skills and talent just waiting to be discovered in the land of fish & chips, beans and other assorted conceptions many have about the UK.
One of the big names that has been all over the media coverage is Ben Raemers and now he’s been signed to the enjoi roster. Certainly well deserved and he’s got a bright future ahead with his mastery of all terrains and easy-going style. Watch his welcome video here and be prepared for much more to come…
Etnies Shoes and Cliché Charles Collet Deck Giveaway
September 1st, 2009 / 3 Comments » / by Jonathan Young
**** GIVEAWAY ENDS SEPTEMBER 4TH 2009!!! ****
It’s been way too long that we have hosted a product giveaway but like I said earlier this week, everything is coming back together at Europeskate as the days slowly get shorter and I find more time to push the site.
And here we go: just by answering a simple question you can win yourself a brand new Cliché Charles Collet deck and a cool pair of etnies RVL skate shoes! Charles recently turned pro with Cliché and he’s been all over the media lately as well – no wonder with his skills! Enough said, here’s the question to answer:
In what city does Charles Collet live at the moment? Hint for you: check out the “Catching Up With Charles Collet” interview over on the etnies website, you’ll find the answer!
a) Berlin
b) Barcelona
c) Boston
RULES FOR THE GIVEAWAY:
1) Choose the correct answer.
2) Send a mail with the subject “Charles Collet Giveaway” to the following address: freestuff@europeskate.com
3) Include the correct answer, your complete name, home address and of course your shoe size (it’s possible that the same color style for the shoe is not available!)
That’s all. Send in your answer by Friday, September 4th 2009 – only complete emails will be considered!
- etnies website
- Cliché website
Matt Mumford joins Adio Footwear
August 27th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Jonathan Young
More sponsor change news for ya here: Matt Mumford has joined the Adio Footwear team, moving on from his long-time connection with Globe Shoes. I’m sure the rumours are spreading through the web as I’m typing this – leave your thoughts as a comment!
August 27, 2010: Ricardo Batista
August 22, 2010: Jonas Wedelstädt
August 21, 2010: bill Danforth
