[Si] TV

Skateboarding is going global! Don't believe me? Go turn on your TV or look at the clothes and shoes you're wearing and you're bound to find some evidence of skateboarding's influence on pop culture. What used to be regarded as a "white-boy sport" is now a massive motley crew of cultures that span the globe. Helping to put the brown team on the map is Ronaldo "Chico" Brenes.  Brenes is originally from Nicaragua and is a veterano in the skateboarding world. His boarding brethren, especially those of Latino descent, idolize him. We recently caught up with Brenes to talk to him about emergency appendix operations in third world countries, hanging out with your boy Ricky Martin at the Latin Grammys, and a little bit about skating, too.

REGO: I want to start by asking you something that I read in an old Big Brother Magazine about an emergency appendix procedure. Can you speak on about that situation?
Chico Brenes: It was about 8 years ago. I was in Nicaragua and my stomach started hurting really bad. I thought it was a kidney stone and I didn't get it checked out for a couple of days and it kept hurting more. I went to see my dad who lives 8 hours away in this little town in Nicaragua. I was eating food and I was throwing up. I felt miserable! I was there for two days and I went back to the city. I told my cousin, who's a doctor, that my stomach was still messed up and we got an ultrasound. He saw all kinds of liquids flowing in my body. Half an hour later, they were opening me up! 

REGO: The way they [Big Brother] described the situation, it sounded like you were in the middle of a jungle.
CB: No, no! I was back in the city. After everything happened, I talked to people. When your appendix bursts, you're supposed to be gone!

REGO: You had an interesting encounter at the Latin Grammys not too long ago. Can you tell us about that?
CB: I went with my old roommate and his boss, Robi Draco Rosa. He used to write songs for Ricky Martin, like "Livin' La Vida Loca." We went with him to the Latin Grammys one year and got to chill with Ricky Martin, Shakira and all these people. We went to some crazy after party, too.  It was crazy. I got photos! We chilled with Gustavo Cerati, this crazy, huge star from Argentina. He's a rock star. We said what's up to Maná--a crazy night, man. 

REGO:  You've been in the skate scene for a while. You're an OG Chocolate head; you grew up during the EMB era, the golden era. How was skating for you back then, compared to the pressures of being pro now?
CB: Back then I didn't feel like I had to worry about things that I have to worry about now. I used to just go and skate. Nowadays there are deadlines for everything. You gotta get photos; you gotta be here for this event.  Back then, you would just go to Embarcadero (Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco). 

REGO:  You suffered an injury that threatened your career. Tell us a little about that.
CB: Yeah, I tore my ACL. For a while I didn't think that I was going to be able to skate ever again. It took me a few years just to get the confidence back. The doctor told me that my knee was fine and strong but mentally I wasn't. After the DVS video I just didn't feel confident. That's why I put out that 411Video Magazine video part, because I was back on it. I feel great now.

REGO:  How much have you done in the way of getting in touch with your Nicaraguan roots?
CB:  Not much, but I want to start a distribution company there and in other parts of Latin America. I think it could work. Me, being from Nicaragua, I think I have influence. It could work. It's my next big thing, to start something in Nicaragua and move all throughout Latin America. It'll be easier for everyone to get product.

Portrait shots by Anthony Acosta; sequence by Dave Chimel