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I first heard of Ankan when we started touring freestyle shows with to be a few years back. I noticed him since he was really going for it and had an unfortunate nickname. I was still surprised though when soon after, I saw him pictured in a skateboard magazine. The combination of skateboards and snowmobiles is rare so I decided to give him a call to figure out what he was about.

Ankan [Duck], that’s an ugly name.  Do you like it?
– Ha ha, thanks! Well, my real name is Anders, even though no one ever uses it any more. I was playing soccer as a kid and I guess I was running like a duck, since then I’ve been stuck with it.  

You’ve got two careers, FSX and skateboarding. How do they coexsist?
– I skate almost every day and ride sleds on the weekends, so it works out fine. 

When did you get in to skateboarding?
– I was about thirteen and had watched “Thrashin” way to many times, just like everybody else. I was a big time Millencollin fan, like everybody else. I had those gigantic Psycho Cowboy jeans, like everybody else, so  I guess I never had a choice, it all came natural! Ha ha, I wonder how we could even move around in those jeans….



Umeå, your hometown, must be regarded as the North Pole by other skaters?
– Well, you can easily tell it’s a long way down to Stockholm, but the scene here is pretty good with a lot of really good skaters and spots.

Lots of injuries?
– Not really, but I’ve sprained my feet a million times and broke my pinkie once! Smashing my nuts with the board is another classic.

Do you do vert ramps as well?
Nope, it’s not for me. It’s too fast and I’m scared of heights!



Hmm, got to be convenient with your hobbies… Have you appeared in any movies?
– I’ve been in a couple actually, I was for instance featured in “Puzzle 5” that was released all over Europe but also in some smaller productions.

So, when did you start riding snowmobiles?
– My old man had this Skidoo that I always used to ride when I visited him, I was like 14-15 years old. He lived outside Umeå so I started to hang out with some sledders there during the weekends. I got my own sled a few years later and kept riding as often as I could.

What did your friends that you were skating with think about that?
– My skate crew never liked sleds and my sledding buddies don’t like skateboards so it’s not a mix and match.
I can imagine there’s tension between them. How did you get in to freestyle and ramps then?
– I saw one of the early Slednecks movies with ramps in it, was it number 3? Anyway, I got inspired and built a small shitty wooden ramp and tried to learn. My first trick was a “no hander” Ha ha.

Don’t you think it feels like FSX died several years ago with the Braap Pack?
– I don’t know what the situation is like in the states, but it seam to be alive (in Sweden) as far as I can tell. Here, it’s just growing with more shows every year.

So how do you think FSX should develope to not turn in to gay figure skating with extra points for a great make up and the perfect smile at the touch down?
– I want to see more snowboard and street inspired shows with wallrides, rails and different kinds of ramps.

As a skater, do think you had any advantages when you started hitting ramps?
– None that I can think of.

So anyone can learn tricks you think? You don’t need any basic skills like being able to reach your toes or something?
– I am extremely inflexible, if I really go for it I can just about touch mine.

I don’t like ramp-tramps. Got any comment on that one?
– What a question. I guess nothing, you’re free to feel what ever you want.

Ha ha, I’m just fu***ng with you. But what do you say to those people that claim FSX riders can’t ride sleds, that they would just get stuck the second they leave the trail?
– Most learned riding before they got in to FSX and I think they’re no worse than anyone else. Everybody I know are great riders, I guess it’s just easy for people to accuse freestyle riders of being bad sledders.

When you’re free riding, where’s your favorite place?
– I used to think it was Åre until I came to Riksgränsen the first time, it was awesome!

Where would the journey of your dreams go?
– Alaska! We might go there this winter if everything works out the way we want. The problem is that I’m scared of flying.  If there is a boat, I’ll be on it for sure! Otherwise I just have to be drunk all the way. I flew with a helicopter once, that’s the worst thing I’ve ever done, and not a chance I’m doing it again!

Ok, the last question. Would you beat Travis Pastrana in thumb wrestling?
– Thumb wrestling?! Wow, he would be a tough one I think. But I’m a carpenter so why not, I’ll kick his ass!

PHOTO KLAS RICHARD KARLSSON

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