Left to right: Slingshot one-footed
crooked coaster at a late-night Biebel spot.
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. Frontside
noseslide on bricks.
311 OAKRIL
Til
it's more about the money and the sponsors
don't take care of you as well.
How's your English coming? How do you try
and learn it?
Slowly. I listen to people who are hanging out
speaking English. People try to explain how to
say the words and how to enunciate.
Does listening to hip-hop help?
Not really. Just with some phrases. It some-
times helps to see people saying words and
then acting them out.
What's your favorite music?
Hip-hop.
Who were you calling in Brazil all those times?
My girlfriend.
What's her name?
Janiina.
Were you surprised when you got your phone
bill in Colorado?
Uh-huh. It was like 170 or 180 bucks!
What's your Brazilian nickname?
Frog Face.
How long have you been known as Frog Face?
Since like 1995. That's when I started to
go to São Paulo to hang out with a lot of
other skaters.
What about your American nickname?
The Breeze.
Who are some of your favorite skaters?
Bob, and Tom Penny.
What do you miss most about Brazil?
My girlfriend.
What are your favorite tricks?
Frontside flips. Three-sixty frontside flips.
On the trip we had a really hard time
finding stuff you like to eat. What do you
like to eat?
Mexican food.
But not Taco Bell.
No. Not Taco Bell. I hate Taco Bell.
What was the worst thing we tried to make
you eat?
That pizza! That chicken pizza. It was terrible.
Do you like skating in contests?
So-so. If I like the ramps and stuff, I can be
stoked on it and skate good. But if I hate the
ramps, I don't like skating in the contest.
What's your favorite place to skate in the US?
There are so many spots in the US that I
want to go. I know I would like them. I've
liked something about all the spots I've
been to.
What's the hardest part about being in the US?
The English.
What should skaters in the US know
about you?
Just that I'm a cool guy. I'm friendly and
don't hate anyone. I just want to skate and
have fun.