CHSP.COM: You have quite an impressive skate resume, can you point to that specific time in your skate history to what brought you to visit Cherry Hill Skatepark:

DAVE: Yeah, I had been hearing about this new park called Cherry Hill in Jersey from just about every top pro out on the West coast. I had just quit G&S, because they told me due to radical behavior they would not take me to another event; (I thrashed a few hotel rooms at their expense). I had been friends with TA (Tony Alva) for a few years, and that was right about the time he started Alva Skates. He asked me to ride for him, and said he would take me out to the Kona US Open Bowl riding contest. We went to the event; I won 1st place and $2000. So TA and I decided to head over to Cherry Hill and see what everyone was raving about.

CHSP.COM: How long was your stay while here in Jersey:

DAVE: I can’t remember, I was really stoned the whole time; I thought a month, but it could’ve been two weeks.

CHSP.COM: At that time how did the terrain of CHSP rate:

DAVE: Are you kidding me? It was insane, THE ULTIMATE! Nothing even came close. I personally love the MDR (Marina del Ray) DogBowl because of the frontside ollie off the hip into the shallow end line for me; but overall- Cherry Hill was better; it was like discovering heaven.

CHSP.COM: Do you recall the type/style board that you were riding at that time:

DAVE: Yeah, I brought three decks to the Kona event; 1 “Suspender Deck” and two Alva decks; one was 30" X 9" wide with the multi-colored Alva logo die cut grip job with Tracker half Tracks and Alva multi colored conical's (No Indys then). The other deck was a 31" X 10” Alva with Tracker Full Tracks and some 100 duro green Alva wheels that I won the event on. After winning the event, I traded the later deck (just the deck) for a 2.5 gram rock of “Marching Powder” and the party started!! TA and I took that and those boards straight to Cherry Hill and Went Off!!

CHSP.COM: Did Jersey pose any type of culture shock:

DAVE: Nope; none at all. Everyone treated us like kings. It was killer. We stayed at the guy’s house who owned the park (can’t remember his name) right on a river? Or some body of water (remember, I was lit) and we had parties in his hot tub with all the fineys after sessioning the park- It was ON. I think TA ended up hanging out with the Owner’s daughter.

CHSP.COM: Did you make it over to Philly at all:

DAVE: Probably; but I don’t remember.

CHSP.COM: Did you have any hoagies or soft pretzels while in Jersey:

DAVE: OH YEAH!

CHSP.COM: Was Shogo's local pad well kept:

DAVE: Can’t remember even going there. I think it was some small room at the park at the time! The guy was hardcore; all he did was skate, he didn't need a pad.

CHSP.COM: One word for you and that word is: "Mondo". Please respond:

DAVE: TOPLESS SUPERVIXENS!!

CHSP.COM: Did you know Sean Penn while growing up in Malibu and does he get points for his relationship with Madonna:

DAVE: Yes, and Definitely Not!

CHSP.COM: Were you at T.A.’s 21st B-day when the Germs and X were the hired entertainment:

DAVE: Yeah, that was sick! On the beach up in Malibu- Outta’ control, rich folk were never the same.

CHSP.COM: Your favorite old school skater:

DAVE: Torger Johnson

CHSP.COM: Your favorite new school skater:

DAVE: Rune Gilfberg. I think Peter Hewitt is the best, but I don’t consider him “New School”

CHSP.COM: You are a big advocate for the infamous surf/skate style. Please elaborate and do you have any interest at all in sliding/grinding handrails:

DAVE: I think anyone who skateboards should try and ride everything. I personally started out as a surfer, and therefore visualize myself surfing while riding a skateboard. Surfing has many more dimensions that skateboarding because the medium (wave) is moving, and no two are ever the same. I like to try and ride
a skateboard like that – I think it just looks so much more stylish. I have ridden and slide, and grinded a few rails; but it just doesn’t do it for me- The "attempt – to – make ratio" is just too small for me to enjoy. I think a rider can last longer by riding other disciplines such as transition, parks, pipes, pools, bowls, slalom, and downhill. I don’t care how good you are; your not going to huck your carcass down a 20 stair at my age- but you can slash the ceiling of a pipe if your still riding, and I will be at 50.

CHSP.COM: In your view, is skating an art or a sport (and why):

DAVE: It’s both. It’s an art when your image is captured by a photographer in a timeless classic move; it’s a sport when your competing against other competitors when big money is on the line.

CHSP.COM: On the subject of snowboarding as an Olympic sport (as illustrated with the 2002 games in Salt Lake City) do you give it a thumbs up or thumbs down and why:

DAVE: I give it a HUGE thumbs up. It could open some doors for skateboarding. I’d rather see that than “curling”
where fat guys run down an ice lane with a broom sweeping the dust away from the curling whatever you call it thing…lame.

CHSP.COM: Do you snowboard:

DAVE: Yeah, but I’m not very good. I need to pay more dues. I did test ride the WinterStik with Alva and Biniak when it first came out! We had to hike up Mammoth since they wouldn’t let us on the lifts back in 77’.

CHSP.COM: Where are your favorite surf spots and do kayakers get in your way:

DAVE: I like super hollow left reef or point breaks. Around here; Seaside reef, Boneyards, Blacks Beach. I love Tavarua, and Costa Rica and the North Shore as well. I have never had a kayaker get in the way.

CHSP.COM: Imperial Beach (near San Diego) currently has public issues between surfers and harpoon/arrow fishermen competing for the same space. Are you familiar with this issue and what is your opinion:

DAVE: I did read something about it; but I am not familiar from a first hand experience. Imperial Beach is really close to the Mexican border and is subject to horrible polluted water conditions. I usually don’t surf in shit like that.

CHSP.COM: Any last words of wisdom?

DAVE: Yeah, learn how to race slalom. Next to surfing, it is the soul of skateboarding.

Out-

HACKETT