36 Teet
Rob "Sluggo" Boyce came to America in
1990 and woke up many skaters as to what
the future would bring. Tallgrab 540s, huge
airs to fakle and loud tailslaps are all rea-
sons that Sluggo is here to stay.
How long have you been riding?
I started to skate in 1986 because my breakdance
friends quit and took up crime. They started stealing
everything, including a skate. Instead of them selling
it. I told them I wanted it, and for a few dollars worth
of junk food, it was mine.
What was life like before that?
I did gymnastics for ten years, all six events, just like
the Olympics. I started when I was six and quit when I
was sixteen. I also started breakdancing in '83. I still
like to bust out and break or do flips sometimes.
Why do you skate?
I've always needed things to channel my hyper-
energy, and as soon as I went to the snake-run by my
mom and dad's house in North Vancouver for the first
time, I fell in love with skating. Skating is an individual
thing. I can't hang with team sports. To make a trick.
it's up to me, not four or five other dudes, I like that.
Do you ride street?
That's pretty much all I do now because everyone
back home sort of slowed down on the ramp scene.
Street is seriously fun because there's so much to
learn. You can go from a curb to a handrail, to stairs,
ledges, gaps, and countless other objects of fun.
Who are some of your favorite skaters?
Way, McKay, Moses, Kelch. Mountain, Hosoi,
Cardiel, Ferguson, Sullivan, RDS, Agah, Speyer, Bird,
Devlin, Stranger, Ferdinand and Hendrix.
What do you think of flatland?
The flatland scene is growing at an incredible rate,
especially now that everything is being done switch
stance and on banks, hips and ramps.
What do you think of slamming?
the constant quest for power and money all over the
world. Yet people see this everyday and go on with
their lives reasonably unaware of the extent of the
madness going on around them.
How did you get on the team you ride for now?
A year and a half ago, Steve Ruge introduced me
to Jeff Klindt. Jeff was about to start Real. This was at
districts at Linda Vista, I entered under G&S and a
month later at finals in Reno, Jeff and Steve made me
Real stickers out of paper, put them on my G&S
board and I entered under Real. Jim and Tommy
weren't on yet, only Henry Sanchez.
What do you think of contests?
Contests scare me. I threw up at my first five pro
contests, sometimes just in practice. The SF contest
in Golden Gate Park was the best, really low-key and
easy on the nerves.
What does the future hold?
Next September I would like to take some classes
half-days and skate the other half. Hang with all my
friends and family, most of all my sweetie, Geraldine.
Where do you skate?
Ramps, marble benches, low handrails, anywhere a
good session is going on.
Who are your favorite bands?
NOFX, Pennywise, SNFU, Disposable Heroes of
Hiphoprisy, Neil Young. Cat Stevens. Tracy
Chapman, Del, Bad Religion.
What do you like to eat?
I don't eat meat at all. I went to Spain last year and
saw a full leg of an animal meat in the breakfast but-
fet. It was about two and a half feet long, with the
meat carved off the thigh in layers. But up the leg, the
fur and hoof were still right there next to the fruit and
scrambled eggs, it was rank! It's not hard at all not to
eat meat after you learn more about what you're real-
ly eating. I still eat cheese, even though it is not sup-
posed to be good for you. I like fruit, rice, beans,
those sorts of things. I take a lot of vitamins too, like
E and C. everyday.
Painful, yet, if you slam at least you went for it, and What bugs you about skating?
that is half of the satisfaction.
What is your world view?
It is amazing the things that go on in the world: war.
famine, corrupt governments, racism, poverty, AIDS,
"I can't hang with
team sports."
B
ROB
BOYCE
The constant vibe about fashion and the ranking of
importance in each little scene.
What do you hate the most?
I hate being hurt most of all. I hate waiting for UPS
guys that never seem to come. I hate waiting in lines.
What do you think of government?
Canada is far from perfect, but at least we have a
government health care system that covers every-
one depending on your income. It's crazy to think
that in the States you can't go into some hospitals
unless you have private insurance. Who can
afford that? After hearing the outcome of the
Rodney King trial, who wouldn't question the
goings on of your government?
Family?
My mother is a welder and so is my step-
father Mike. They both support my brother
and me in anything we wanted to do. My
aunts and uncles, and grandparents may
be the greatest ever. I'm lucky.
What do you think about cops?
I don't get harassed by cops loo
much at all. Tony Ferguson and I
each got a $75 ticket a few months
ago though-that sucked! We get
harassed by security all over, but
we just bring Moses and he
takes care of 'em.
Any advice to the kids?
Try not to play follow the
leader too much. Don't just
accept everything people
say, stop and think about it,
and if it doesn't seem right
to you, question it.
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