Roberto Aleman: Parties in Camelot - Heads - skateboarder - Brief Article - Interview

Thrasher Magazine, Jan, 2002 by Clint Peterson

Where were you born?

Elche, near Alicante in Spain.

How was it learning a new language?

I'm still learning. I'm trying to speak good English, but little by little. I have a lot of people helping me and I'm also giving my part. Hopefully I'll learn it all soon.

Where are you staying?

I'm going to be here three months and stay at Consolidated, my second home, most of the time. I'll also probably be staying at Diego's and Karma's as well. Wherever I can. Pretty much at my friends' houses and Consolidated.

What do you miss most about Spain?

The parties in Camelot, my family, friends; a skatepark in my city. Mainly my friends and the parties.

What do you do in your typical day?

I wake up late, around lunchtime. I eat and listen to music, go to my friend's house until 4pm or 5pm and we go get something to drink, a coffee or something, and just hang out for a while. Then we go skate until 2am. In California it's basically the same; I wake up a little earlier, though.

Leticia: Because you're forced to?

Yeah, I wake up when everyone comes to work at Consolidated. And then I go to the Bagelry to eat breakfast and I help out here where I can, and then go to the skatepark down the street. Then eat, and then go skating with whoever--a photographer, Nik Freitas or Clint Peterson. I just go skate, always.

What type of music do you listen to?

I like all types: Modest Mouse, Get Up Kids, Flamenco, Triana, Camaron.

Who influenced you in skateboarding?

Since I started skateboarding it was Sergio Bernabeo (Nano). He's always been my favorite, but he doesn't skate anymore. Here it was Ethan Fowler.

What percentage of time do you travel?

The last couple of years, I'm never home--always traveling.

Do you have a favorite spot in Spain?

I have many: Barcelona, Elche where I live, Alicante, Madrid--everywhere in Spain.

In California, I'm seeing new spots all the time but it's all new to me. I like the schools. We went to one in Monterey that I liked. I also like San Francisco, and now I'm going to LA to see what I can find.

Describe your dream session.

To skate with the Consolidated team and with my friends from Spain and here--Diego, Jaya, Ruben Garcia. To spend the day in my local skatepark with these people.

Who are your sponsors?

Consolidated skateboards, Independent, Spitfire, Reef, Volcom, Nixon, and North Cal Distribution.

Who is North Cal Distribution?

It's the company that I've been riding for since I first started skating. Luis Matesanz is who has helped me out since the beginning and is still helping me. He pays for my flights to come out here to be able to skate.

Any shout outs?

Consolidated, North Cal Distribution, Joey from Independent, Spitfire, Diego Bucchieri who has helped me out a lot, the people from Reef and Volcom in Spain, all my family and friends in Spain: Bonji, Pakito, Adrian, and the STM crew.