To be sure, there are plenty of interesting characters in the world of professional skateboarding. Many pros make names for themselves not only by their skateboarding(what kind of skating, which tricks they do and how they do them)but by their taste in music, the way they dress and their overall personality. Some are over-the-top in every category. Others are more reserved. But at the end of the day the thing that matters most about a skater is how he or she skates. While many popular pros have built their reputation on big stunts and garish rockstar personas, others allow their skating to do all the talking.
One such professional skateboarder is Kenny Anderson. His skating is both stylish and technically immaculate. He is a connoisseur when it comes to trick selection. And when he does decide to go big, he does so with precision and uncommon grace.

VITAL STATS
First Sponsor: Sub Skates
Current Sponsors: CHOCOLATE SKATEBOARDS, ADIO SHOES, ELWOOD CLOTHING, INDEPENDENT TRUCKS, ACTIVE MAILORDER, FKD BEARINGS, DIAMOND, Last new sponsor. INDEPENDENT
Latest video part and part in the works. YEAH RIGHT! AND THE HOT CHOCOLATE VIDEO

SMASH
Will you please finish this sentence: When I first started skating in Las Vegas…
Kenny
I would usually skate around my neighborhood with my brother Kyle and some friends. There weren’t skate parks back then. We would usually skate ditches, pools or backyard mini-ramps. (Cheese Ramp.) My cousin Rob had a nice jump ramp.

SMASH
Your Vegas crew was pretty strict about style. You would get made fun of for dropping your tail on ollie Japan grabs or having weird footing or just doing tricks half-assed. How has that influenced your skating overall?
Kenny
Yeah, we were rough on each other. I think I learned how to take and handle criticism. I learned how not to take anything to heart or seriously. Being sarcastic was just a way to have more fun on and off your skateboard. Now, sarcasm is just a part of who I am.

SMASH
Along the way you’ve seen some skaters “make it” while others faded away. Some of those skaters are still quite good. Many, clearly never cared about turning pro, but others did, and they still did not “make it.” Why do you think that is?
Kenny
At certain times the Vegas skate scene was dead. With the lack of support from peers, family and the whole city, it was hard to stay focused. The odds of staying in Vegas and being successful were slim. You had to really stay persistent on why you were skateboarding instead of focusing on turning pro one day. If you aren’t passionate about something, does it really matter if you “make it” or not? And, if you are passionate about something, does it really matter if you “make it” or not?

SMASH
I remember you commenting one day about ten years ago, something like, "I don’t want to turn pro; I just want to get paid." I took it to mean that you were not interested in fame but that you would like some return on your investment, having skated for so long. I thought it was cool. What did you mean, and in retrospect has your feeling about being pro changed?
Kenny
I don’t think I said it quite like that. C’mon Hektor. My reasons for skating weren’t to become neither famous nor rich. It was to do something I love to do and for the feeling I receive from it. Fortunately, it worked out for me and I do get paid for doing something I love to do. I think that’s when skateboarding became a job for me. You know you’re getting paid by companies and you feel as though you are obligated to do certain things to support them. I’ve never been one for being the center of attention, so I had to learn how to deal with the whole fame part of it. I don’t feel any different than any kid out there. I’ve just been skating longer.

SMASH
You’ve been a pro for a few years now. You’ve seen the world from a skateboard. How have your views about skating in general, changed?
Kenny
I finally realized how big skating actually is around the whole world.

SMASH
What was the most unusual response you got from a non-pro skateboarder when in a foreign country?
Kenny
In 1998 I went to Thailand. It was the first time, since the 1980’s that pros came through to do demos- The kids had this dazed awe and the adults had this confused glare plastered on their faces for hours. No words were needed.

SMASH
Which culture in general was least star-struck by professional skaters?
Kenny
It’s weird. The countries that weren’t too big in the skate culture treated us the same, if not better. They just thought we were “famous Americans,” it didn’t matter how or why. We would just sign autographs and take photos.

SMASH
How do you spend your down time? What kind of music are you into?
Kenny
I spend my down time mostly with my wife. I’m trying to learn a different language at the moment. I’m dabbling with some art projects, computer graphic stuff and I play a little music.

SMASH
Which pro skaters do you go to when you want to know what the new “it band” is? Who is always good for an adventure, who is fun to tour with, and whom is most uncommon?
Kenny
I have fun with everyone. Different personalities clashing is always fun. I like traveling with Rick Howard. Technically, he is my boss but he’s always the first to stir something up.

SMASH
Do you think unique personalities make for interesting skate styles? Any examples?
Kenny
People’s style of skating usually always ties in to their personalities. That’s what makes skating so interesting to me, how many of the same tricks are done differently.

SMASH
What is important to you in your skate video parts, and what do you like to see in other pros?
Kenny
Just for it to represent the way I skate. I try to be as creative as I can with it. I like to see some creativity in other parts also. I always like seeing new spots on new tricks done with a good style. Not a certain style, but a natural style.

SMASH
Your thoughts on the following please: On the Industry; McTwist McTony? What do you think about skaters who endorse mega corporate non-skate products or companies?
Kenny
Skating is growing in every direction. They all want a piece of it. Pros have the choice to do whatever they want and represent themselves however they want. I feel people should choose wisely what they attach their name to. Are these companies really supporting skateboarding? When it dies down again are they going to support the skaters that supported them?

SMASH
The future of skating, bigger handrails or longer wheelies, bangers vs. lines, tech vs. super tech?
Kenny
The future is skating everything and respecting all kinds of skateboarding.

SMASH
Who’s a favorite up and comer?
KENNY
Braydon Szafranski

SMASH
Tight trucks or loose?
KENNY
Loose. You can cruise around better.

SMASH
Which tricks are replacing the fronside flip and krooked grind? Both, I might add, are over ten years old.
Kenny
Crailtaps and step hops.

SMASH
What is good about what is going on in skating right now?
Kenny
Good attitudes and being open minded.

SMASH
Who is leading the next generation?
Kenny
Kevin Long, Devin Calloway and Brian Edwards, to name a few.

SMASH
Will you please finish this sentence: The future of Kenny Anderson will include…
Kenny
Sunshine, Peace and Happiness.

SMASH
Any Shoutouts?
Kenny
Everyone who has supported me and is supporting skateboarding. Home sweet home, Las Vegas!