Your Pro Hooi USD was just released, explain the reason you chose GREEN for your UFS Throne? What’s the meaning behind it?

I chose green because it’s one of my favourite colours. I also thought it would be appropriate for my pro skate as I’m from Ireland and a lot of people associate green with Ireland.

I don’t think I would have thought of green for a UFS Throne if it weren’t for Dustin Latimer though… He had a sample green skate made back before his black and brown skate came out. It never got released and I managed to get one of the five sample pairs made. I loved the colour and always wanted it for my pro skate.

What do you like most about living in Ireland?

Being away from all the industry crap and getting to skate with all my friends. We have a really small and close scene over here. Everyone knows everyone and we all just have a laugh skating.

You’re known for being a raw street skater, showcasing your skating thru
your video sections. How is your new BHC section coming?

I finished filming for my BHC section about a month ago. I’m happy with how it turned out but I might still add some stuff to it if I get more footage. The video will be out in December and is looking really good, we have Sagona and Silihan on the team now too so it should be a beast. I’ve seen their footage and it’s killer!

The whole BHC crew is pretty tight, you guys all travel together a lot. Name one thing about Mark Trebble (BHC owner) most people don’t know.

Mark really loves quiche! He doesn’t like to tell people because I think he’s embarrassed about it, it makes his breath smell. But if you make him some quiche he will be your best friend, I think that’s why he put Dom on the team, he was over at his house and Dom made him a really big sweaty quiche. He loved it!

It was sick having you come out to Arizona during the BHC Tour. You make
skating look waaaay to easy. It looks like you’re floating on grinds half
the time. What direction do you want to take your skating to? What defines
progression for you?

I had so much fun in Arizona man, I love that place!

I don’t have any plans to take my skating in a certain direction, I’m just going do what I’ve always done and keep skating for fun and do whatever feels good. I think progression can be made in a lot of different ways. You can progress your tricks or your style or else just improve on the moves you already have down. I think it mainly comes down to learning something new or doing something better than you have before.

I also noticed your personality reflects your skating, where you don’t
really stress over trying to land tricks, you just let things happen. What
is your outlook on skating? What is your main motivation?

Yea I think that’s true to everyone, your personality totally comes through in your skating and your style. I just see skating as a way to get away from everything and have fun. My main motivation would be my friends because they know my abilities and appreciate me learning something new or doing something I haven’t done in ages. I feel most comfortable skating with my friends because they know me and there is never pressure or expectations when I roll with them.

Who are your favorite skaters? Who would you say influences you the most?

Recently Broskow has influenced me the most, he skates so consistently and with so much style and does everything that I can only imagine myself doing, ha ha. I don’t really have any particular favorite blader cause everyone brings something different. I enjoy watching most people skate and so many people inspire me but here are some of my favorites, Sagona, DL, Julio, Shima, Brandon Campbell and Roadhouse.

You’ve been loyal to USD for a long time now, explain the relationship you
have with USD/The Conference?

I get emails, free stuff and money every now and then but that’s about it, there isn’t much of a personal relationship involved. I have met the owner Matthias once and I am acquainted with the managers.

How do you feel about Mark Korte coming back in full force for The
Conference? How do you think it’ll affect USD?

I’m juiced on Korte being back with USD and can already see changes being made. He helped develop the brand so much back in the day and created a real team feeling between all the riders. He is good at bringing people together and making them feel appreciated, I think that was something USD was missing when he was gone.

Thanks Al for your time… Last words?

Thanks to all my friends and family, I would be nothing without you guys. Also thanks to anyone who supports my skating and to all my sponsors, BHC, Fix, USD, Jug, Kizer and INRI. Fu#k all the bull$hit, just skate and have fun!