Peter Molec, Sweatbands and Shoestrings

February 12, 2008 @ 3:27 PM

Where did Peter Molec come from, exactly? In a very short space of time, he has leapt into the front row seats of the European scene with his strength and conviction. Seemingly fearless, one of the few to tackle danger skateboarding switch, and a genuine funkateer. He looks like he stepped right out of an East European Heavy Metal tour in 1975, but his outlook is resolutely today. This is how he does.

So, Peter Molec, what have you been doing since last I saw you?

In the last year? Just skating (laughs). All the time, travelling a lot. Having fun.

Are you in Slovakia now?
Yeah.

How’s the weather?
Ah, the weather is pretty bad now. Its like eight degrees or something like that, really windy and so cold.

But you’re off to America?
Yes, tomorrow morning actually.

Who with?
By myself. Hans Claessens is going to wait for me there, we’re going to go to the Damn Am contest and after I’m staying on for one month with the Team Manager from Dekline shoes and shoot photos, travel around a bit.

You been to America before?
No, its my first time (sounds a little nervous).

Is this part of a masterplan? In an ideal world, would you like to be a professional skateboarder?
Wooooah. I dunno. I just like to skate; I’m not a professional, I don’t know how it would be if I WAS a professional…but I think its good- a good thing if you’re just skating and you are aware that being a professional is not something you can be for very long. But I’d like to be a professional- one day. If I could live from skateboarding, that would be my dream.

Can I ask you a couple of questions about Slovakia?
Yes, of course.

Do you remember when Czechoslovakia broke up?
(Sighs) Not really…I was really young, only about eight years old.
I remember that it was really shitty, though, because (the decision to divide the country) was only taken by two guys in government… Czechs, not Slovaks, and they just said “We are going to do this” then did it. They didn’t go to the people, didn’t have a referendum or anything.

What is the relationship between the Czechs and the Slovaks today?
Pretty good: we are like brothers, its perfect. For me, I don’t understand why they split us and I don’t know anybody who thinks it’s a good idea. Before it was pretty good, you know? We had more money and jobs…I don’t know.

And what about the skate scene? I know the Slovak guys travel to the Czech Republic, but do the Czech guys come to Bratislava?
Not really. Only for competitions. If they can earn some money here, they come, but otherwise…there aren’t that many spots here. Well- there are some, but you need a local to show you everything.  They don’t come so often.

Do you think the Slovakians are gnarlier?
No- why?

I saw your boy Andrej Leskoviansky in Rotterdam. He’s pretty gnarly.
Yeah! He is. He’s my best friend on a skateboard. He’s super good.

Do you push each other?
Yeah, always when we are skating together. We live quite far away (from each other), but when we have a chance we really do. If we can travel together, we always do.

When did you start to…I don’t know if concentrate is the right word….when did you notice that you could start to put down big stuff, switch?
I don’t know just…one day, I thought “OK, I think I’m going to try skating switch” –and I tried switch ollie. It was pretty hard for me at the beginning. Now its almost the same. Well, not the same- but some things are easier, some more difficult…

Is it close? Almost like 50/50?
No no no. I like skating switch, but its not 50/50.

…but you do try to stick it first go…
Yeah, its like if you can do it first try you don’t need to go back to it. It’s a good feeling to do it like that. But it doesn’t always work out like that. Sometimes I’m lucky.

Apart from America, do you have any future plans?
No. I’m not doing future projects. I am living for today.

One more question: what is the deal with the headbands?
(Laughs) What about them.

How many have you got?
Only 2…or 3.

What makes a good headband? What are you looking for in them?
(Laughs)….erm…I was looking for one in my home, and I found a few. Then my friend gave me one. I never bought one, you know…probably I’m gonna buy some in America!

Start a collection?
Right!

Don’t they get all wet and horrible?
Yeah, its going to get sweaty. But it keeps the hair out of your eyes. You can wash it right after skating, and they dry out pretty quick!

Peter rides for Jart skateboards, Dekline shoes,Volcom clothing, Independent trucks and Bones wheels (via Rock and Roll distribution in Czech Republic)