The best part of this video is listening to Alva's wise words about connecting spiritually with skating. Money, trophies, success, fame (popularity) can take away from the purity of whatever you're doing... music, surfing, snowboarding... it's the sense of freedom and presence that is the most important thing in life and that which should be most valued. A simple concept but difficult to put into practice, easier if you're 56 and still skating... inspirational... much respect!
It sounds like he misses the days of just riding, regrets chasing the money and losing focus, but then realized his errors later in life before the taste became bitter.
I've said this in other vids, but to this day Tony Alva was the coolest pro I've ever met. When I was 14-15, it was the "golden age" of skateboarding...Hawk & Hosoi were the big names...you had a kind of rivalry between the neon colors, bleach blonde surfer kids and the shaved head, denim and black shirt punk rock kids...I was more that. Bill Danforth was a local skater so we all dug his style...then when he got on the Alva crew it was even better...so we had a big contest come through, usually in the dead of winter, and this one was big. All the big pros at the time were there...Hawk, Hosoi, Gonz, Blender...everyone. So I'm sitting there watching and I see two guys getting ready to fight- clean cut Steve Rocco and legend Tony Alva. OH SHIT! So they get separated and send to different sides of the arena...well who comes and sits right next to me? TONY FUCKING ALVA! He couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating...plus I wasn't a fan of Rocco at the time, so ayyye...anyways, I asked Tony what was up and said Rocco kept trying to snake runs and he was tired of his shit. I just laughed and started pestering the shit out of Tony...his ego never flared once...answered all my questions, signed my board, shirt, poster...I'd say he sat there for a good half hour and just shot the shit. I know other cats ain't too fond of him, but he was nothing but nice to me. Skate legend!
Tony Alva sounds tired in this video, you can tell he misses the Zephyr days and is probably thinking about the buddies he has that arent here anymore.
I made getting sponsored serious from age 10-15.didnt get sponsored and got so angry I quit skateboarding.then realized it was greed that I was trapped by just as Alva said now I'm back!for the gnar not the fame!SKATE and DESTROY!
i took my son to vans skate park in o.c. and no lie this older dude was absolutely killing it out there. best skater out there. it was tony alva. i told my son and he said who? im like thats tbe beginning of skateboarding! im Tonys age, i had an Alva board. lol
I am absolutely in awe of this video. I've lived around skateboarding my whole life. Didn't know who the gods were. Thanks Tony, Z-Boys, and everything that followed.
i could care less who likes or dislikes alva and neither can he. i like him but even if i didnt id still respect the shit out of him for still skating at the age of 56. so cool. lets see who can still skate if they make it to 56. i doubt most of you will be skating at 56.
56 and looks 40 ...I grew up with Tony and Lief in Rowland and Hacienda Heights ...When we started the Movie Skateboard in 1976, a Guy got Killed , and the Movie was re done in 1978. Skate Kings also in 78 ..I still Skate at 52 , and Shred most of the young kids to this day JZP
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The best part of this video is listening to Alva's wise words about connecting spiritually with skating. Money, trophies, success, fame (popularity) can take away from the purity of whatever you're doing... music, surfing, snowboarding... it's the sense of freedom and presence that is the most important thing in life and that which should be most valued. A simple concept but difficult to put into practice, easier if you're 56 and still skating... inspirational... much respect!
This guy has been skateboarding for over 40 years after saying he wanted to be the oldest skateboarder of all time as a teen.
I grew up in the 70's idolizing the Z-boys, especially Tony Alva. Skating does keep a person young.
Rip Jay Adams
Lol he's good at sneak dissin vert riders, esp bucky and xgames vert dudes
Is it me or does Tony Alva look like Drexl from True Romance? I keep expecting Christian Slater to come along and fight him.
It sounds like he misses the days of just riding, regrets chasing the money and losing focus, but then realized his errors later in life before the taste became bitter.
I've said this in other vids, but to this day Tony Alva was the coolest pro I've ever met. When I was 14-15, it was the "golden age" of skateboarding...Hawk & Hosoi were the big names...you had a kind of rivalry between the neon colors, bleach blonde surfer kids and the shaved head, denim and black shirt punk rock kids...I was more that. Bill Danforth was a local skater so we all dug his style...then when he got on the Alva crew it was even better...so we had a big contest come through, usually in the dead of winter, and this one was big. All the big pros at the time were there...Hawk, Hosoi, Gonz, Blender...everyone. So I'm sitting there watching and I see two guys getting ready to fight- clean cut Steve Rocco and legend Tony Alva. OH SHIT! So they get separated and send to different sides of the arena...well who comes and sits right next to me? TONY FUCKING ALVA! He couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating...plus I wasn't a fan of Rocco at the time, so ayyye...anyways, I asked Tony what was up and said Rocco kept trying to snake runs and he was tired of his shit. I just laughed and started pestering the shit out of Tony...his ego never flared once...answered all my questions, signed my board, shirt, poster...I'd say he sat there for a good half hour and just shot the shit. I know other cats ain't too fond of him, but he was nothing but nice to me. Skate legend!
Tony Alva sounds tired in this video, you can tell he misses the Zephyr days and is probably thinking about the buddies he has that arent here anymore.
I made getting sponsored serious from age 10-15.didnt get sponsored and got so angry I quit skateboarding.then realized it was greed that I was trapped by just as Alva said now I'm back!for the gnar not the fame!SKATE and DESTROY!
I grew up looking at this guy in magazines.
Happy 61st birthday, Tony! You're an inspiration to all of us younger surfer/skaters. Keep it up, bro!
i took my son to vans skate park in o.c. and no lie this older dude was absolutely killing it out there. best skater out there. it was tony alva. i told my son and he said who? im like thats tbe beginning of skateboarding! im Tonys age, i had an Alva board. lol
I am absolutely in awe of this video. I've lived around skateboarding my whole life. Didn't know who the gods were. Thanks Tony, Z-Boys, and everything that followed.
i could care less who likes or dislikes alva and neither can he. i like him but even if i didnt id still respect the shit out of him for still skating at the age of 56. so cool. lets see who can still skate if they make it to 56. i doubt most of you will be skating at 56.
Remember Jay Adams.
alva looks like an unshaven keanu reeves here lol
56 and looks 40 ...I grew up with Tony and Lief in Rowland and Hacienda Heights ...When we started the Movie Skateboard in 1976, a Guy got Killed , and the Movie was re done in 1978. Skate Kings also in 78 ..I still Skate at 52 , and Shred most of the young kids to this day JZP
Tony Alva inspired me to start skating in the mid 1970s and I'm still skating today. Listen to your elders my friend; they have a lot to teach you.
Jay Adams is the real LEGEND !