VERT SKATING HAS BEEN “DEAD” SO MANY TIMES YOU’D THINK IT WAS PART FELINE. TRUTH IS, VERT AND ITS MORE VISIBLE OFFSPRING, BIG BOWL SKATING, ARE ALIVE AND WELL AND BEING TAKEN TO NEW HEIGHTS AND BEYOND. FOR THAT, WE HAVE SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA’S REAL SKATEBOARDS RESIDENT AM, ALEX PERELSON, TO THANK.

Over the past ten years, young Alex has grown from a padded-up air-baby to one of the most unique, balls out, fearless tranny skaters on the scene ? and he’s generally padless these days. If ever the old cliche of letting your skating speak for you held true, it’s with the quiet Mr. Perelson. He’s a man of few words but when you casually throw 900s into your contest runs, spin padless 540s in deep cement pools and still frontside boardslide a 10-stair rail, there’s really not much else you need to say. Alex might be one of the most enjoyable guys on four wheels to watch and we’re all thankful his brand of skating has given vert the shot in the ass that it so desperately needed.

WHAT’S BEEN THE BEST TRIP YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON?

It’s hard to decide. The Caymans was pretty fun, and so was the trip to Copenhagen. Vans trips with Omar and Josh Borden are always really fun.

FAVORITE VANS RIDER?

Pedro, Omar, Grosso. I like their skating and enjoy skating with them.

WHAT TRICK CAN’T YOU DO THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD?

There are tons on vert. Like front tailslide backside reverts, front bluntslides and fully-stalled frontside inverts.

WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTS/HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF SKATING?

Watching movies, listening to music, spending too much time on the Internet.

LAST GOOD BOOK YOU READ?

I don’t read much.