CONAN

"Conan" is an Omaha icon in skateboarding.
If you have ever been to Roberts you have seen him tearing it up.
He is a skater, a coach, an ambassador in skateboarding.
If not at Roberts you can find him at Grinds where he shows new skaters the ropes.
He always starts his lessons with the history of skating.
"They need to know where it has been to appreciated where it is going."
The first board he has the newbie try is the plastic banana board like he learned on.
Once they get the feel he works them up to the today's board.
"Skating has given me so much I enjoy giving back"

Here is a short interview with The skater Conan...
1- You obviously enjoy skating. How long have you been riding?
The length of time riding a board goes back to plastic banana boards. Over twenty-five years and counting.

2- Who in skateboarding sparks your interest?
The answer isn't as easy as it sounds. First, there are the skaters from when I was a kid. They're still in the heat! Then you have the new Rock Stars of skating, Anti-Hero Crew; and last but not least, a lot of Midwesterners that most overlook..but not me.

3- Who was your biggest influence as a young man?
Well, if you know me and my style, and it you know tour skate history, there's only one name: Tony... bet you thought I was going to finish with Hawk, but no, I mean the other Tony, Tony Alva and the Dog Town Boys.

4- Is Skateboarding getting easier or harder as you get older?
The only thing that age is doing is slowing the healing process.

5- What question do most kids ask a good rider?
Are you sponsored? To quote the movie GRINDS, 'sponsor me' is a very popular phrase.

6- Growing up, did you think skateboarding would have the impact it does world wide?
Knowing what it did for me as a young man- yes, but there was a short time in my life when I lost my skate soul. Ok, I didn't lose it, I just put it on a shelf for a few years.

7- What does the future hold for Conan & Skateboarding?
As much skating as possible, of course, and traveling as much as my body can take.

8- Every kid dreams of being a Pro, no matter what sport they do. What do you think about being a Pro?
Yes, everyone wants to be a Pro. I've met a lot of people in my life (no need to drop names), and some of the most 'pro' attitudes came from everyday people who LOVE to do what they do.

9- Skateboarding has been labeled a sport. Your thoughts on that?
I guess I have to say it has become a sport, considering what it went through to get to where it is now. It started off as something; grew into much more and has exceeded people's expectations.

10- There's a lot of different music out there. What makes you want to skate?
Growing up in the metal era, I prefer Suicidal Tendencies, of course Sabbath, Motor Head.. don't get me wrong, I like all kinds of music. It doesn't take much to make me want to skate, it's in my blood.