Eddie "El Gato" Elguera Interview

Description (Brief):

This CD holds an interview with Eddie Elguera, one of the pioneer innovators of vertical skateboarding. In 1979, Elguera became the U.S. Amateur Skateboard Association Champion and soon after joined the pro circuit becoming ‘Skateboarder of the Year.’ In that same year, “El Gato,” as he became known, won the “Most Spectacular New Maneuver” award for the “Elguerial” which is defined as ‘an invert where the halfpipe wall is approached fakie, the rear hand is planted, a 360 degree backside rotation is made, and the rider lands going forward.’ Some other tricks he invented include the frontside rock-n-roll, the fakie ollie and the frontside invert. Elguera continues to skate in the Masters Division and was a mentor for many skaters including Tony Hawk and Christian Hosoi. He is still looked upon as a skate innovator by his peers.

Description (Brief)

The following account is from Micahel Hays one of the donors of this CD: February 3, 1989: breakfast with George Leichtweis and Bill Danforth to review and refine a list of twenty some questions we would ask numerous professional skateboarders and industry VIPs. The purpose of the interviews was to start forming the making of Street Survival II (Vertical and Advanced skating video). All interviews would be conducted by Leichtweis and Hays would work the audio. As the day progressed we amassed a large and vital collection of conversations. Later that evening, I found myself in possession of the audio equipment and roamed down the Hotel hall and ran into John Shulties. He invited me to come and do an interview with him and the H-Street crew. As I entered the room, I began to recognize who I would be interviewing... Art Godoy, Tony Magnusson, John Schulties, and the one and only Eddie “El Gato” Elguera. This turned into an epic group interview that has an impact that I had not heard before regarding the future of the sport with some really great insight.