Dave visited Apple with Ted Terrebonne and Duke Rennie in 1980, when he was one of the top vertical skaters in the world. Interview conducted via email in March, 2003.

Dave Andrecht, forty-two years young, born in Los Angeles, California.

When and where did you start skating?

I started skating in 1973 with my sister and her boyfriend. We would bomb hills and catamaran down Buena Vista. We had a bunch of really good ditches all over that we skated. I lived in a neighborhood where everyone was skating. Yes, I can say my first board was a pair of cut-off roller skates. I made it in my 7th grade woodshop class.

How did you first hear of Apple?

I first heard of Apple in the magazines. I heard so much about the place that I knew I had to go. Then I was asked to go out there on tour. I went with Duke Rennie and Ted Terrebonne. We got to skate there for five days! We had an awesome time.

Which areas of the park were your favorite?

That's a tough one. The kidney was awesome! The keyhole was fun, too. I did an all-night skate marathon in the L-bowl. I only made it to about 3:00 in the morning before I called it quits. But, we had a great time skating in there. I'm sure some of the locals would remember that. The halfpipe / two-thirds pipe was really fun. It was the perfect size for me. I think that covers it. Again, I was there for five days and I skated at least eight hours a day every day. The kidney and egg pool go without saying. They were as close to perfect as you could get!

I skated with Duke Rennie and he pretty much wrecked the keyhole. I also remember the big airs he did in the egg bowl.

What tricks did you do and in which areas of the park?

I always tried to do everything everywhere. I just can't remember exactly which tricks. I know I did Andrechts in everything except the L-bowl and the two-thirds pipe. Same thing goes with the rest of my tricks. I remember doing some pretty long rock and roll boardslides in the kidney.

Please comment on any locals you saw at Apple.

I skated mostly with Kenny Mollica. He could probably tell you more about my trip than I can. We had a super-good time. I think I skated with him every day—he ripped back then. I may have skated with a couple of the other guys you listed, but I met so many people back then it was crazy, and that was way back in 1980.

What is the raddest thing you saw happen at Apple?

I can't remember her name...

Worst slams?

Duke Rennie hooking up on a 540.

How did Apple rate as a skatepark?

What were its strong points and weak points?

Everything was skateable and smooth. I don't remember any kinks. Again, the dust was pretty bad.

Did you ever skate a park that was better?

I would have to say that Marina Del Rey was right up there. I loved everything in that park, except the fifteen-foot keyhole. But, it was so good. It's really hard to say. Almost every park had some good and bad points. Cherry Hill was a pretty awesome park, too. Surf & Turf had some super rad pools. There was also a park in Kalamazoo that was a lot of fun.

Did you ever attend any am contests at Apple? Parties? Sleep-over sessions?

Again, I skated in the all-night skate marathon—it was fun. I know some people spent the night, but I went back to my hotel—I guess that was a sleep-over.

Please describe any vivid memories you have of Apple.

The owners were awesome—that was one of the only places that we were treated like pro athletes. We stayed in one of the best hotels and they catered to our every need—it was unreal. I remember the batting cages that were there, too. The people who worked at Apple busted their asses to make us happy.

I'll have to take the fifth amendment on that one. I can only say that I had a super good time—I think you know where that's going.

Did you hear that Apple was going to close?

Who didn't? That was a real loss for everyone who did and didn't get to skate there.

Were you bummed when Apple was destroyed?

It was happening so much back then—it seemed like another park was closing every week. I can only say that I was lucky to get the chance to skate there. 

Please add any other memories, info or comments that you wish.

Well, I have a little memory still to this day—a brand-new, still-in-the-plastic T-shirt from back there, plus some stickers.

Where do you live now? Work? Wife? Kids?

I live in Escondido, California. I'm still in San Diego County. I currently work for Osiris shoes. Yes, I'm still in the industry. I've been married for the last eight years and I have two kids. I still skate two times a week at either Clairemont Skatepark, or I go to Coronado. Clairemont is the place you should skate. Wally Hollyday built the pool there and it's perfect! In fact, the egg pool there reminds me of the old Apple egg. So, you can still get a little piece of Apple at Clairemont. If you get a chance to skate it, I'm sure you will agree. No two pools are exactly the same, but there are some similarities.

I'm pretty stoked to see my board going for so much on eBay (well over $1,000). I have four brand new ones at home without a scratch on them. I also still have my last contest board that I rode. I still have some stuff left. Anyways, I don't plan on selling any of it. I'm going to give it to my son.

Any closing comments?

Keep skating—it sure keeps you young. Don't ever quit, and skate with your kids when they're ready. Thanks for this opportunity. I would love to hear more about other old parks—especially if you saw me skating there. If you want to reach me, you can email me at davea777@hotmail.com

Dave Andrecht
AKA The Raver