Introduction to my past 25 years

I strongly feel that all skate shop owners should be avid skateboarders.  Its simple to me... you should be passionate about 
your business and likewise passionate about the skate scene that your business is located amongst. I would also like to believe that the participants of skateboarding within their community appreciate the skate shops and their owners that have given their lives to the pursuit of their passion and the promotion of their local scenes.  I want to keep these values forever, though there is an ever changing face to our industry.  Nonetheless, this is why I have started this blog.  To show people the rich history we have in skateboarding and to archive some old stuff for those of us that genuinely appreciate our scene and our devotion to it.  Note:  This is my opinion and my words... I welcome any input and discussions    

I am Peter Karvonen  Owner of Faith Skate Supply and lifetime skateboarder... please email me at Peterfaith@aol.com

Peter Karvonen ollie ... photo by Drew Burke  2013

  It feels damn good when I land a trick or push myself these days.  And when I say "push myself", I mean get off my ass and try!  I know I cannot hang with the younger generation on a skateboard, but damn if a simple ollie isn't timeless!  

Peter Karvonen noseslide on the famous Hubba Hideout in San Francisco... 1992

 I tried out my luck in California on a couple of different occasions.  Never made the move to the west coast though...  The vibe just never felt right to me.  I love the hospitality and the kindness that is strictly southern.  Perhaps this is what led me to want to open up a skate shop in Birmingham.  

Peter Karvonen Backside one footed disaster...  Photo by Drew Burke 2012

    One of the only legendary skatespots in Birmingham that has been around as long as I have is the "Ghetto Banks".  I remember skating this thing when I first made my excursion to "the big" Downtown Birmingham.  At 16 years old, me and my friend Colin Soniat watched our favorite video part at the time - Rick Howard in Blockhead Skateboards "Splendid Eye Torture" (watch below and get hyped!)and decided we had to check out the Ghetto Banks.  We hopped in my 1983 Toyota Tercel and trekked to downtown Birmingham.  Sadly though, within 15 minutes of being there my buddy (Colin) tried a crail to tail on the steep bank and folded his leg in half!  This was also the first time I had ever seen such a gruesome injury.  22 years later and the Ghetto Banks, are way more fun and I hope that this spot lasts the test of time and for all skateboarders to enjoy.

                Rick Howard in "Splendid Eye Torture"

Birmingham's first time to grace the pages of Transworld Skateboard Magazine and a huge milestone for me and Faith Skate Supply.  Photo by: Ted Newsome

 After being in business for a couple years, Faith and Birmingham got its first taste of coverage in Transworld Skateboard Magazine.  The article was shot by Ted Newsome (native of Birmingham and editor for Transworld).  Ted brought a crew through Birmingham including Vinny Ponte, Will Harmon and Toebee Parkhurst (all of whom were well known sponsored skateboarders at the time).  Unfortunately, Alabama has a way of always getting some negative press... (read lame quote above by Toebee Parkhurst)   I remember being so bitter about that quote forever!  I was being nice and gave all the guys Faith Sweatshirts and he had the nerve to say that about us???!!!!   Who did he think he was???  I ran into Toebee a few years later at the Tampa Am contest and he was being overly nice to me--- I have a feeling he felt bad about the quote that got published.  

Peter Karvonen Crailsnatch... photo by Drew Burke 2013

 Birmingham spots are generally hard to skate or need some help in order to skate them.  Its very common to lay out pieces of plywood  for run up or landing, use metal signs for curb ramps, or even put some angle iron on an unskateable ledge.  Im not always proud of it, but a guy has to do what a guy has to do.  I wanted to hit this bank to wall for so long, however getting speed for it was never working.  Throw some 78a longboarding wheels on my board and bring a curb ramp and a new spot is born!  I must say, I have not pushed that hard or fast in a long time... 4 days later and my calf muscles are still aching.

My lifetime achievement award presented to me by Haoyan Zhang

 In conclusion to this post... I want to show my gratitude to those that have been a part of Faith Skate Supply's past, present and god willing--future.  Please come support Faith as your local skate shop and I will continue to support all aspects of Birmingham's skate scene to the best of my ability.  Cheers to the lifers!