In preparation for this years Protec Combi contest, I thought I would ask some of the riders a few questions & post up a photograph of them practicing for the contest. Stevie Cab emailed me back directly & here are the answers from the Masters defending champion..... Once a week, I will be posting up a 'Pre-Protec' Q&A with some of bowlridings greatest riders. I hope you enjoy them. Thanks to DeVille Nunes for the image taken last week. Skate - Ozzie

Steve Caballero

BTO:  How much do you still ride vert & bowls?

Steve: I try to ride at least twice a week if I can at home. Family life get's busy sometimes. When I'm on tour, at a contest or trying to practice for one, it's every day leading up to the event.

Steve: Not so much, like the 80's... we are all a bit more mature these days, move a bit slower and it's not like a lot of these guys still do this for a living, so it may not mean as much to them as it did in the past, plus there's not much to prove if you don't have board or shoe sponsors to stoke out. A lot of these guys are just having a good time riding with each other, so it's more of a fun vibe if anything. The only time i think it gets hectic is when it's a free-for-all jam session, then i feel that people start losing respect for each other by dropping in on each other, I've been guilty of it as well that's why I prefer one man in the bowl at a time and I think we skate better that way.

Steve: No, not at all. It actually enhanced everyone's game, because it made the pool alot easier to skate for everyone, especially  for how fast and smooth it became after the re-finishing, It actually stepped up the game, instead of throwing people off in any way because it opened the doors and possibilities for new lines for everyone.

Steve: Only when I qualify first in the prelims. Then the only other place is to go down in placing's if I don't skate just as good or better in the finals.

Steve: Last year I skated  more than ever and just practiced tricks and lines at home, plus also worked on my endurance... it's not getting easier to stay on a long run these days as we are getting older and older! As for this year, the way I have prepared for the upcoming Protec pool party is throughout this last year, I've tried to make an effort to come down at least once a month to practice new lines and tricks and I think it's paid off a bunch, because I feel very comfortable in the pool this year, even better than last year... so it's on like donkey kong!

Steve: I think the contest is run pretty well these days, so not much change is expected from me. I don't like the open jam format and I would really like to skate in order and I'm sure Miller feels the same way. No sense entering a contest and trying to skate your best by avoiding people and not running into them and getting hurt, that's no fun at all.

BTO: Last words?

Steve: I know people are coming after the "masters" title and I'm not going to let it go that easy as it took me 6 years to earn. I just hope that all this hard work I've been putting in all year round pays off once again come next month. I'm really excited to ride with everyone at the contest, so when Saturday rolls by, it's time to turn the "on" switch and let 'er rip! Thanks for all the support and love from my friends, family and sponsors, plus I wanna give a huge shout out to my lord and savior, Christ Jesus... it's all for HIS praise and Glory!
Blessings,
Cab

Thank you Stevie. Good luck. - Ozzie