The super limited edition Capita Peter Line Rainbow 153 Quickstrike officially hits store shelves tomorrow — although based on Instagram, hungry board collectors have already started snatching them up. The graphic features the iconic rainbow, which Peter first used on his Division 23 pro model in the mid 1990’s, as well as some more modern accouterments such as pizza, boobs and cigs. Spanning 20 years, the rainbow graphic is one of snowboarding’s most memorable art pieces and we caught up with the man himself for a little history lesson.
What was the original inspiration for the pink rainbow graphic on your Division 23 board?
I think it was a Sean Sheffey skate graphic of Hello Kitty or something pink and I just thought it was awesome to have a girly graphic. Not sure where the rainbow came from or why I didn’t do white polka dots. I can still do those on my re-re-re-issue board in a few years.
How many different variations of the rainbow have existed over the years on your pro models?
Only the three D23 originals, the Forum 10-year reissue and this one. I think on one of my other Forum graphics, I had a hand drawn rainbow and they may have made an icon from it at one point, but I can’t remember.
Has there ever been any homophobic blowback over the years? Any issues with sensitive retailers?
I don’t think so. When the D23 one came out in ’95 or ’96, it really wasn’t a known logo for the gay community. Later, when the rainbow logo was more prevalent and known, I think some people were thinking I was gay because of my graphic. I really didn’t care, I didn’t know of the rainbow meaning when I used it as my graphic, now I think it makes it even better. I love pissing off homophobes.
Forum 10-year reissue. Photo: Alex Swords
Do you feel given the current climate of acceptance for gay marriage and trans gender individuals in America, this graphic holds the same impact it once did?
Probably not, especially this new version. Cigs, pizza, boobs and pills? It may have its own impact far aside from having a rainbow on it.
In all its glory. photo: Jason Chuma
How did you team up with Capita?
I’ve been friends with Blue since the D23 days and I’ve always respected the Capita brand. And plus, it’s here in Seattle, so even better.
What else are you up to these days?
Oh, stuff. Designed Jess’s graphics for Capita again, designing the men’s outerwear for Dakine, shooting product photos and writing for Snowboarder Mag. There’s this three-part documentary about me coming out one of these days soon. I have a goggle with Electric coming out that carries a similar theme, as well as a shoe with DVS. And maybe some other stuff, but I can’t remember. And hoping it actually snows this year!
The Peter Line Rainbow Quickstrike is available at select retailers starting October 20, 2015. Hit up your local shop soon if you want one!
#GiveCapitaToPeter
I still want to know the specs…
its a capita mercury which is the new name for the totally fk’n awesome
I have a old white forum peter line with blue grim reaper type graphic on the tail anyone know what year its from?
PERHAPS THE RADDEST DAY OF 1996?
ONE PARTICULAR DUMPING BUCKETS POWDER DAY STANDS OUT WHERE THE TOP RIDERS WERE, IN FACT, RUNNING “THE MOST PROPEREST OF PROPERY” LAPS UPON THE SNOWBIRD TRAM LINES THAT MAYBE HAVE EVER BEEN HAD AT ENERGETICALLY LIKE THAT.
I DON’T KNOW IF IT IS ACTUALLY EXPLAINABLE HOW CRAZY IT WAS TO WITNESS THAT KIND-OF SHREDDERY AND JUST BE FORCED TO TRY AND KEEP UP WITH THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
DUDES WERE RAGING.
THE LEGENDARIANS IN THE GROUP:
NOAH BRANDON, TINA BASICH, MIKE BASICH, TERJE, GUCH, DEVUN WALSH, BRAD SCHEUFFELE, ANDY HETZEL, SHANNON DUNN & DAVE DOWNING (TOGETHER AS A BRAND NEW COUPLE THAT WINTER IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY), AND YOURS TRULY, MOI AUSSI SENIOR, THE SKATEBOARDING DUDE WHO HAS BEEN SNOW JIBBING SINCE 1986, AND CERTAINLY THE LEAST NOTEWORTHY OF THAT PARTICULARLY MOMENTARIOUS CREW…THE TROOF.
Yobeat get this guy a hump day
PETER LINE WAS ALSO THERE AS WELL, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY THE WHOLE POINT OF MY RAMBLE.
THEN I FORGOT TO TYPE HIS NAME, MY BAD.
PETER LINE ACTUALLY KINDA RULED EVERYONE ON THAT DAY WHEN IT CAME TO HIS CREATIVITY & TRICK SELECTION STEEZ.
DUDE WAS QUITE RIDICULOUS WITH THE JIBERTY, FOR SURE. HE AND GUCH AND TERJE WERE NATURALLY ENTITLED TO DRIVE THAT GROUP’S SHRED ENERGY VIBES WAY UP THROUGH THE ROOF.
AND NOW THAT I AM THINKING ABOUT IT, I THINK ADAM YAUCH (R.I.P.) FROM THE BEASTIE BOYS WAS THERE THAT DAY ALSO. I’M PRETTY SURE HE WAS WEARING A DARK GREEN AND GREY SESSIONS JACKET WITH CAMO SNOW PANTS AND RIDING A 172 LIB TECH IF I’M NOT MISTAKEN. ADAM WAS A BIRD LOC BACK THEN AND RODE WITH THE DUDES MENTIONED ABOVE QUITE A LOT.
ADAM WAS AN AWESOME PERSON.
Surely F.O.B.L. (Full On Bird Loc) Ben Pelligrino was ripping with those dudes as well as George “Shafuck” Johnston?
I’VE BEEN TIGHT WITH BENNY AND GEORGE SINCE 1990-91 IN THE EARLY MILO REINCARNATION YEARS, WHERE WE WORKED TOGETHER AND SHREDDED TOGETHER ON THE REGS. THOSE DUDES ARE AS O.G. AS SALT LAKE CITY GETS ALONGSIDE THE TOTALLY GREAT ANDY BREWER.
I WAS A BRIGHTON LOC THOUGH.
I HIT UP THE BIRD ON THE MOST INCREDIBLE POW DAYS EACH YEAR.
TO BE REALER ABOUT IT, PETER LINE SHOWED UP AT HIGH CASCADE THAT SUMMER WHILE I WAS THERE FOR THE MONTH OF JULY WITH THE GENERICS CREW, AND STRAIGHT WAS WRECKING SHOP ON THE HALFPIPE.
DANIEL FRANK SHOWED UP TOO. HE WAS TORQUING LARGE MUTE ALLEY-OOP TO FAKIES AND HUGE METHODS TO LATE BACKSIDE 180 INS.
PETER LINE RIDING THE FRESH PINK RAINBOW JAMMER, AND DANIEL RIDING HIS NEW WHALE PRO MODEL.
WE WERE ALL JUST KINDA WATCHING THEM GO AT IT BY THAT POINT. RUN FOR RUN. IT WAS SICK.
Troop: stop with the name dropping would ya? We are not impressed.
LEARNING SHOULD BE FUN FOR YOU KID.