Monday, April 16

Omar Hassan Interview

By Jason Kuehn
EXPN.com

Since turning pro at 16, Omar Hassan has been killing both the street and ramp; one of the few pros that is equally well versed in both environments. Seldom seen sitting around and not skating, we hooked up with him at the espn B3 event during the filming of a new IMAX skate movie when the director stopped everyone to adjust the $200k camera.

Omar goes big for the start of his 60 second run.

EXPN: So let's get this out of the way. Who are your sponsors?

OMAR: Black Label, Quiksilver clothing, Vans, G-Shock Watches and Ford trucks.

EXPN: Black Label is going off right now, I know Lucero is involved in that. Is he still doing the graphics?

OMAR: Lucero is the guy. It's his company so he does all the creative artwork and all. It's cool working with him because he has been a pro, so he knows what it's like to do the deal and have to go out and skate and travel. He is real supportive.

EXPN: How involved are you with the graphics on your boards?

OMAR: Um...not very. (Laughing) It's cool. John really knows, he takes a person's individuality and character and does a graphic that would fit that guy's character. You leave it up to him to create the image and marketing aspect of that. Black Label is one of those companies, we don't market through advertising and stuff. It's more like we want to go like Independent Trucks. We have really good product and cool graphics so we do it more like that. Everyone on the team is so cool and respective; it is great riding for them.

EXPN: What's the connection to Ohio?

OMAR: Black Label has always been supportive of Ohio - they've had a lot of skaters from there throughout the years. I think John likes Ohio's punk. He has really been supportive of Ohio in general. I am not too sure of what is behind it, because it is all John, but I know he is really into it.

EXPN: So I saw you filming the new IMAX movie. What's up with that? How did you get involved?

OMAR: They just asked us. It's all a test right now to see if they are going to do it, actually. I don't know too much about what they were doing. I was just skating; they will probably call me up and find out later.

EXPN: Describe a day in your life.

OMAR: Basically, I like to surf a lot in the mornings. I hang out with my girlfriend - she lives with me. I skate, surf and snowboard. Hang out at home watch a lot of movies. Typical life, you know. I travel a lot as well. Now that the season is starting, lots of events are going on so I will be traveling a lot.

EXPN: Where do you live?

At the end of his run, Omar walks away from the still-smoking street course where he took 6th.

OMAR: Newport Beach.

EXPN: How many hours a week do you skate?

OMAR: I try to skate everyday or every other day. Assuming I'm not injured and I feel good. It's cool how they are building a lot more stuff for skating these days. It makes it easier and a lot more fun. It used to be that there was less stuff to skate and you would get kicked out of places more. I think skateboarding is getting a little more accepted so with that you are seeing a lot more skaters and parks.

EXPN: Do you think the comps are getting too blown-out?

OMAR: I think people take it how they want to take it. The mainstream looks at this as their view of what skateboarding is all about and the skateboarder has a whole different life. They look up to people who may not even enter a contest at all. I think it is good to have both aspects, because it helps out skating in general. I have always been more supportive of everyday skating. Competitive stuff is pretty stressful but it is one of those things that you can look at as being a good chance to win some money and it is fun too. It goes both ways, it's all up to the person and how they want to think about it.

EXPN: Domestic or Imported?

OMAR: Imported

EXPN: What's your favorite beer?

OMAR: Corona

EXPN: If you could destroy one person's career, anybody, who would it be?

OMAR: Damn! That's a hard one. I don't wish the worse for anyone.

EXPN: What's the worst skateboard fashion or trend?

OMAR: Rollerblade wear. Rollerblading, just the way that...I don't know. I guess I couldn't say that. Who knows? Everyone has their own opinions. Techno. Techno people.

EXPN: What bothers you most about being a pro? OMAR: The expectancy level. Going out to try to skate everyday and people ask you to do this or try that. They don?t understand that you are a skater like them and you are just trying to have some fun.

EXPN: Any pre-run rituals?

OMAR: No, I always get nervous a bit, but everyone has nerves. It's natural.

EXPN: Growing up, is there anything you wanted to be or to do?

OMAR: I always wished I was musically inclined, but I'm not.

EXPN: So what would you be doing if you weren't skating?

OMAR: I would be hanging out, probably surfing, traveling and doing the same thing I am doing, just in other sports or something. Hanging out with my friends. My whole life has always revolved around skateboarding. All my friends I grew up with, my brothers, we all did it. I don't know what I would be doing without it. I am glad I found it.

EXPN: Describe the best day of your life?

OMAR: The best day was when I got back from an injury and realized I could start using my knees and body again.

EXPN: What's in your CD player right now?

OMAR: Black Sabbath.