Robert Brink - Writer

Pat Channita on Rodil Jr.

March 31, 2006 | Skip To The Comments (0)

Pat Channita on Rodil Jr.

Since Pat Channita and Rodil were friends at the time of the Rodil piece I did for ESPN and EXPN.com, this was intended to go with the story, but the editors cut it. Not much, but hey, why not post it?

What separates Rodil from the rest of the pack?

From his looks, one can say he's Brazilian. He's got a lot of contest wins under his belt and it seems like he never really falls and has his tricks wired.

Rodil said he skates with you a lot when he's in the USA, how did you two meet and what made you hit it off?

I've known him from seeing him around at all the comps. I guess he moved out here kind of by my house and had no one to skate with and didn't know any spots. I ran into his friend who is either his agent or translator or body guard at this gym where I used to do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. His friend knew my trainer and then one day he was at class and said "Let's go skate." We exchanged numbers and I showed him spots that were around that they didn't know about yet. When he's in town he calls me up to see what's happening and where I am going that day.

It's no secret that Rodil has been typecast as a "contest skater." Also seems he doesn't get the credit and respect he deserves from the "core" skate industry. Why do you think this is? Especially considering how good he really is on his board. Is it image? Is it all the contests? Does he skate too "safe"? Does he not have the "cool" sponsors?

I don't really have an answer. It could be a combo of things or it can be just that people don't know him or only see him at comps. Other pros have done videos and had magazine coverage and I think most of the time people only see him at comps. He skates good and some of the stuff he does is difficult. I have seen him do stuff that is pretty gnarly at comps and other people haven't done it. It is just a matter of time, because hands down you can't deny good tricks when you see them. If you appreciate good skateboarding, when you see something hard you have to applaud unless you're jealous and have a bad attitude or are bitter about something.