There's some bittersweet news coming from the Consolidated camp....Alan Petersen is going to be retiring and packing his bags and moving to Australia. For those of you that didn't know, Alan's been carrying the Consolidated torch since day one (about 13 years), so we've all been saddened by this, but at the same time we're really happy for him because he is really excited. For all you Alan Petersen fans out there, don't worry-his heart still belongs to Consolidated and know that he will now and forever continue to be a part of the Cube in one way or another....
It's easy to pinpoint the first time I met you Alan-it was when you guys first started Consolidated. I'll never forget watching you guys stencil Consolidated all over your boards, tees, and whatever else you could get your hands on, just making do with what you had. Now,here we are,13 years later, still doing it up. Consolidated has gone through a lot of highs in its lifetime, and yeah, we had to throw some lows in there too, but everything happens for a reason, and I wouldn't change any of it for the world. Words cannot express my admiration for what you have done, and for what you have given, for Consolidated. Companies can only dream of having somebody like you on their side. I remember watching you float around at demos and contests, and being so stoked that you were there representing the Cube. Or when you would come to the warehouse and really work because we needed the help, no questions asked. You are seriously the raddest....thank you, Alan, for everything.
Congratulations to you and Fleur-I am super happy for the two of you and know that you guys will have a great life together out in Australia.
Love forever,
Leticia
p.s. By the way, you're also one of my favorite skateboarders ever. Will you sign my board?
on A.P. from Seth McCallum:
AP -your the best, man- im so hyped that i got to witness all that skate destruction.When i was a kid and just trying to figure shit out, you inspired me with a sense of direction and fierceness when we skated together.Its really something you have to witness to understand,AP and his killer skate destruction is the best!! best wishes
-Seth Mccallum
on A.P. from Emeric:
I've known of AP about as long as I've been a skater. I just rcently got on consolidated so I haven't had as many AP experiences as the rest of the team, however I do have a few. The first time we skated together was at the "fun spot" in Santa Cruz we were bothered by drunken youngsters from Arizona, it fucking sucked. The next day we went to Scott's Valley skatepark and I nearly broke my back within five minutes of being there, that's two shitty days in a row. It felt like some higher power wanted me to have the worst time I could possibly have with AP. Sometimes you have to go through horrible shit to get to the good stuff because I had the best conversation with him about growing up as a skater the next day. It was weird to share skate memories with someone who I consider to be such a legend and influence on my skating. We just recently did a week long trip to Orcas island and the northwest area, that was my first trip with AP and it might be my last. I can honestly say I will never forget my few experiences with AP.
Emeric
on A.P. from Ryan Wilburn:
Retirement? Does that term really apply to a legend in skateboarding? I don't really think so. But, style,control,and grace do, which makes Alan's choice to step down at this time just like his skateboarding- legendary.
Ryan Wilburn
on A.P. from Jose Noro:
It's hard to talk about a person that I've admired my whole life for his style of skating. But I remember a few years ago in Spain when pretty much everybody had quit skateboarding and there were hardly any distributors, so we never saw any videos or magazines. Then Luis came in and started bringing skateboarding back and through him, I got my first Consolidated deck. The one with the man holding the world on his back-of course it was Alan's. That was when Spain got to know Consolidated again.
Huge ollies, backside, frontside, 360's without grabbing, I don't know, whatever trick, Alan took it to the limit. Who doesn't remember the Thrasher photo from the Marseille contest where there's never been such a huge frontside ollie in the hip? In Spain, everybody still talks about that...and about Alan. He is one of those people that every time I come back from USA, they ask me, "Hey, did you skate with Alan? Have you seen him? He must be the shit!"
The truth is that unfortunately, I haven't got to hang out with him much. I would have liked to and I hope that although he is retiring, that he will continue to skate for a long time and continue to amaze us like he has all these years.
That's right Alan, Spain met you through the graphic of the man holding up the world, and now you leave, taking with you many people that admire you. Thank you Alan.
Jose Noro
on A.P. from BIRDO:
Alan, You blew it. You should have left Consolidated when you were younger and had the chance!.... Just Kidding! I am really glad you didn't leave. Hanging out with you over the years, I wouldn't trade for anything! I am glad you are following your heart to Australia! I'm just not sure if Australia is ready for A.P.! I know your fiance Fleur will keep you in line! You are lucky to have met such a wonderful girl. And I am a very lucky person to have met you! See you down under! Your friend, Birdo
on A.P. from Karma:
a.p. is one of the most naturally gifted skater's to ever step on a board. If he hadn't skated he would probably be a gold medal olympian for high jumping or something. Thank god he had an appetite for hell raising so he could show us all how far you can push things, especially on a skate. From his early days of the pre-back flip attempts off jump ramps and over spines in the late 80's and early 90's to finally landing them in the new millinium once ramp technology finally caught up. Alan has the millage to back it all up. From one man demo's to tours around the world, a.p. skates everything. The 360 air over the big deck at ripon skatepark is still burned into my mind as one of the gnarliest things i've seen. Oh yeah for all you fashion conscience skates he's also set trends there,you might remember the man in black. a.p. the best to you and flur and the move to ozz. you and your family have been godsends thankyou for everything. a.p. is will be the first inductee to the hall of fame for skateboarding.keep on ripping. sincerely, karma