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Nice Kicks: Skateboarding has really blown up on a mainstream level over the past few years. In your opinion, Kenny, how has the culture changed?
Kenny Anderson: If you want to look at the true culture, it hasn?t changed at all. But the size of it? Look where we?re at right now: The US Open of Surfing, Converse Coastal Carnage. It?s cool because from the ’90s on more kids are skateboarding. So in turn, it helps anyone that?s pro, all the board companies, all the shops, and all the companies that are really trying to drive through it. It?s cool that all these groups of punk rock kids are still doing it and entering the contests. I feel like it?s gotten more diverse in what it means to be a skateboarder; it?s so big that skaters aren?t just like one type of person- stereotypically- they?re all different. You get all sorts of people skating for different reasons and it?s cool to see everyone together.
Nice Kicks: It’s impact on fashion has been huge, too. Kids in the ’90s wanted to dress like basketball players, kids today dress like skateboarders.
Kenny Anderson: You definitely see it. Whether it?s changing or not, you see the evolution. I think it?s inevitable. As something gets bigger it just gets bigger. I think the most important part as skateboarders is to not forget who we are and leave the ego aside. Remember that you?re a true skateboarder. We started in the streets, we?re still in the streets, and I still roll around everyday. That?s all we are. All that supports the culture. There are different opinions on that, but to me it?s all about remembering who you are.
Nice Kicks: Are there any barriers skateboarding still has to breakthrough?
Kenny Anderson: Not really. I never thought ?it should be this way? and I still don?t. Where it was ten years ago I love. Where it was five years ago I love. Where it is now I love. So, if everything died I?m still going to love it the same. I?m good with where it?s at.
Select imagery via Converse, Surf Transworld, & SI Vault
