Lincoln
Ueda's
friends told me he
once won the ring toss game at
Magic Mountain and was award-
ed a 6' high plush Sylvester. Being
a hopeless romantic, Lincoln knew he
had to take it to his girlfriend back
home in Brazil. So, to do so, he had to
gut it, remove all the stuffing, then pack
it in his suitcase. Once he got home, he
refilled it and gave it to her.
How did you learn to go so high?
Hmm... I don't know. Just try to skate. It's a
normal thing.
Were Christian Hosoi and Lester
Kasai big influences on you when you
were younger?
Yeah. When I was around 14 or 15, I saw
Christian two » times in video. That's why I
try to
y to do, first of all, airs. Christian and Tony
Hawk.
How old were you when you started to
go high?
I think it was the last two years, I tried to do
airs more. Last year or so.
How long have you been pro in Brazil?
Seven or eight years. My first photo was in
Thrasher at Münster in '89.
long time ago when I learned body
jars, I fell one time, and for a long
Is vert more popular in Brazil time, I didn't do more body jars.
than it is here?
you ever miss the tail?
No, never.
No, street is more popular.
Do
How is skating in Brazil differ- You know Danny Way's high air
ent?
In Brazil, probably you can keep
skating. First of all, it's hard to make
money. They can hook you up so
much better here.
What was your main reason for
coming to the United States?
You can progress more. We don't
ramp? You could have gone
higher, huh?
the best skaters. When I was in
No, I can't. Danny Way is one of
Brazil, I always watched videos with
Danny and Colin.
Would you liked to have ridden it?
Yeah.
rean.
As a world champion athlete,
I understand you eat 100%
junk food.
While Lincoln lives a true ath-
lete's life, Rodrigo Menezes is
No. I don't care anything about that.
more like the kind of pro skater
we're accustomed to. Never with- How much Coke do you
out a can of Coke in his hand or drink a day?
some scruff on his face, he's also Four
liters.
More if I'm hung over.
the
with a trick bag that includes about the United States?
most explosive of the group. What has surprised you the most
everything but the kitchen sink,
board sponsor.
it's ridiculous Digo doesn't have a
This country's so hard to live. It's
so hard to speak, to talk. It's pretty
hard for me. But it's fun. And every-
How many times have you won ple are so good. Also, drinking the
body skates so good. Like forty peo-
the world championships?
One time, in '95.
beers and walking the streets and
you're not 21. In Brazil, I think it's 18,
Did they really have a parade but they don't care.
have any place to skate, just at roller. Is there anything else you want to for you in your hometown will you live in the US when
parks. I just want to skate, and here
is the best place.
Have you ever hung up on those
body jars?
Not hung up, but I remember a
talk about?
I just want to say thanks for all my
Paulo; and all my sponsors-Formula
friends-David, Jason, Digo, Mr
One and Billabong
when you won?
Yeah. My friends and my family.
girls throw roses at you and stuff?
Did you wave from a car and have
Yeah, something like that.
you're done skateboarding?
Maybe. I like it.
Is it harder to get sponsors,
being Brazilian?
Depends. If you skate good, it's not so
SEQUENCE: RODRIGO MENEZES KICKS HIS FRONT FOOT LIKE A CAPOEIRA DANCER
IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS 540 TAILGRAB. STILLS, LEFT TO RIGHT: IMITATING THE HIGH-
FLYING ANTICS OF THE BRAZILIAN SPIDER-MONKEY, SIMON FINGER-FLIPS A LIEN TO
TAIL. STRIP MALLS ARE DESTROYING THE HABITAT OF THE CUTE, LITTLE RAINFOREST
ANIMALS AT AN ALARMING RATE, BUT CREATING A PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR
CHARLES CHAVEZ TO BACKSIDE 180 A SHOPPING CART. NOT UNLIKE THE CHILDREN
WHO SURF TRAINS THROUGH SAO PAULO, MIZAEL SIMAO RIDES THE CREST OF A
HALF CAB AT SKATE STREET.
ENGLEBOARDIN
A