One of the earliest interviews I did for SBC Skateboard was with Daniel "Alien" Nelson in 2002. Thing is, I didn't actually interview him at all. He took off to Florida on a tour right at deadline time, so his mom Karen ended up cold-calling me to suggest I interview her about Alien more or less without his knowledge. Her pitch was:"Who could know more about him than his own mother?" It was a risky move and I was fully expecting a punch in the face upon his return, but when it was all said and done he was hyped on the result. It's by far one of the most interesting ways I've become friends with someone.

It didn't take long to discover that it's impossible not to have a good time around this White Rock alumnus turned Vancouver resident. He's always thirsty, not just for beer but for the opportunity to hit the road and camp, skate, or do both. He's skated in big contests and has been on countless tours starting at a young age. A grip of years later he still manages to have more fun doing it than everyone else: "I have an 18-year-old heart, I'm tellin' you that much," says the 28-year-old with a laugh. "I try to be the craziest one on tours to get everyone stoked."

Alien rides for Emerica through Timebomb Trading, Lifetime Collective, BLVD Skateshop, and he recently turned pro for Premium Skateboards in May. One of the graphics from the recently released trio of signature boards is definitely a solid representation of the man himself, as you'll soon find out. Also up for discussion: a couple graphic ideas that didn't quite make the cut, putting out all-nude and all-night video parts, and developing a friendship with Billy Marks that began from blowing shit up with legal explosives.

How long have you been riding for Premium, and how does it feel to take the pro plunge?
I've been riding for them for just over two years, and Dayne Brummet asked if I wanted to turn pro. It's all new to me, and it's still sinking in. I still just want to travel, keep kids stoked, and perform the random acts of funniness that I always try to do.

How did the E.T. tribute graphic come about?
I've always loved the movie - it's so recognizable no matter how old you are. There's a wizard stick in there, and E.T.'s pointing at it [laughs]. The silhouette at the top is me pushing naked across the moon [laughs]. It was a photo of me pushing from the Connect The Dots contest last year - the naked video part I had [hit this link at your own risk].

What about the other two graphics?
One board is a collaboration with a tattoo artist who asked me to send in a list of things that represent where I'm from. I mentioned a plaid vest, an axe, camping, the northern lights, caribou and bears - you know, everything in Canada that I like. It looks rad and the colours are cool. I didn't even know about the third board, but it's an eyeball with a caribou in the middle [laughs]. I think it's cool.

Did you have any ideas that hit the cutting room floor, so to speak?
It's my first board, so I wanted to keep it pretty tame. I had this one idea that came from the movie Alien with Sigourney Weaver. You know the part where the guy's eating food and all of a sudden he starts convulsing on the table and the little alien explodes out of his stomach? I wanted to do a graphic where my face explodes out of my own stomach [laughs]. My friend drew this other graphic: it's me with my one leg forming into a wizard stick and the other forming into a skateboard. I'm naked pretty much, but my package is an elephant's head with the trunk hanging down [laughs].

(keep reading for Alien's connection to Billy Marks, and what the future of nude skating is)