Back in Apple daze, Carter’s existence was that of a pecan out in West Virginia. In the late ’80s, he moved to San Diego, California and put in some time at Tracker, then G&S. In 1990, Carter moved to Dayton, Ohio and started Alien Workshop (with Mike Hill), where he’s been ever since. Interview conducted February 23, 2004 via email.
When and where did you start skating?
At age fifteen (1980), in West Virginia.
How did you first hear of Apple?
We had a local skatepark in West Virginia and a couple of guys from there were talking about it. I found it hard to believe that it was being built indoors and by Wally Hollyday, the mastermind behind the "perfect" Cherry Hill Skatepark.
How often did you go to Apple?
About twelve times. I went whenever possible. It was a long drive for us, and the dollars and opportunities to go were very, very limited. We were not old enough to drive, so getting there was a challenge, to say the least. We went with a couple of older guys named Rick Summerfield and Dave Jones a couple of times.
Which areas of the park were your favorite?
The L-bowl was my favorite. At the time, there was no such thing as a mini-ramp, and the L-bowl was smaller and less stressful to ride than all of the pools there. Also, I really liked the halfpipe, the reservoir and the keyhole. You could learn something in the smaller parts and then move on to the bigger sections of the park.
What tricks did you do and in which areas of the park?
I carved everything. That was the first time I had ever ridden curved walls, bowls or pools of any sort. I grinded the L-bowl and reservoir, did small airs and carve grinds in the keyhole and rock walks in the egg. I could grind to lipslide in the L and reservoir.
Please comment on any pros you saw at Apple.
The only famous person I ever saw was at a GLSA contest. I think Jamie Godfrey was there. It was really rad to watch the contest. For the first time, I saw tricks done live and in person that I had previously only seen done in the magazines. It blew my mind. I also saw one of the pro rollerskaters there. I’m pretty sure it was Duke Rennie.
Please comment on any Apple locals you saw.
I saw Dave Bush, who was really into Duane at the time. He was running his boards and look along those lines. I saw Kenny Mollica there a few times. I also saw Chris Phillips, who was my age, maybe younger. He was so good, he blew my mind.
What is the raddest thing you saw happen at Apple?
Little Chris Phillips just ripping all over the place. The guys at the GLSA am contest.
How did Apple rate as a skatepark?
I thought it was the best thing on Earth at the time. In retrospect, it was very well done and did not have metal coping like the parks of today. The pools were tight, and I thought they had pretty quick trannies. The one thing that stands out in my mind is how perfectly smooth and lightning fast everything seemed. You could get tons of speed anywhere in the park.
What were its strong points and weak points?
Strong: Indoor, smooth, fast, lots of variety, various levels of challenge for different skill levels of skaters. NEVER crowded! Weak: Pools seemed tight, with quick trannies and plenty of vert, which was all new to me.
Did you ever skate a park that was better?
That is hard to quantify. Nothing that excited me more at a particular time in my life. I skated The Turf several times in the late ’80s, and it was a lot of fun.
Was there ever a scene of non-skaters, girls or whoever hanging out at Apple?
Not really when I was there. A few guys hanging out in the shop with Molly shorts and their pads down around their ankles were about it.
Please describe any vivid memories you have of Apple.
The first time I went, I could not believe it was real. It was surreal. I was so excited, I had butterflies in my stomach. I remember walking into the pro shop. There was lots to choose from, and it smelled like grip tape. There were video games, etc. and an observation area above, where people could watch. We skated non-stop for hours and dreaded having to leave. We dreamed of going back, and talked a lot about what we would try next time. We gazed at the products and wished we could buy something. I really wanted a Steve Olson checkerboard deck, because all the older, cool guys that skated there had one.
Did you hear that Apple was going to close?
Yes, I was really bummed, but not surprised, because I could imagine how much it cost to build and operate, and there was hardly ever anyone there. As time wore on, the shop had less and less inventory on hand. You kind of got the feeling that they were hurting.
Were you bummed when Apple was destroyed?
Yes, very bummed. We were told it was filled-in, but not dozed. We had many fantasies of re-opening it, and entertained rumors for years that someone was re-opening it. I figured it was someone else’s fantasy, much like ours, but I never lost hope.
Please add any other memories, info or comments that you wish.
I remember seeing Duane and Olson giving haircuts in the bathroom in Action Now magazine. I thought that was amazing and wished I had been there.
Where do you live now? Work? Wife? Kids?
DNA Distribution, married with one child.