What's your full name?
Robert Anthony Sissi
Who do you ride for?
Fobia skateshop, Supernatural Clothing, Iota skateboards(flow).
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Fridley, then moved to Boulder Colorado, then moved back to
Minneapolis and I've lived downtown since.
When did you start skateboarding?
I would say I seriously started when I was 10.
What pro skaters did you look up to as a kid?
Kris Markovich and Guy Mariano.
What about the locals? Anyone stand out back then?
There were sick locals when I was growing up. Danny Jensen of course, he
was the first to do so much shit. I saw him back side lipslide the
goverment rail and kickflip the Towell 9 stair in like 88 or 89. That kid
is so tallented, he still can step on a board and rip. Chad Mohler was
super good. Darren Navarrette, I've skated with him for hella long. He's
so well rounded, and still is ripping. There was this guy named Dave
Cardwell, and I don't even want to get into how amazing that kid was, but if
he still skated he'd definantly be pro. Also this kid named Roger Kelly, he
was like Stevie Williams, but he could skate everything. Of course I also
looked up to all the Oasis locals like Muldoon, Perry, Shaggaby, Woody, and
Leroux. OH yeah, I can't forget to mention Andy Paulsen, he's from St. Paul,
and this dude is so natural. He broke his knee and has been out for a
while, but he's gonna come back strong. All of these people paved the path
for everyone today, and trust me, they've done everything you see people
doing now.
Pic from Thrasher Magazine - Feb, 2000
PHOTO BY ANDREW HUTCHISON
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How do you feel about the popularity of skateboarding at the moment?
It's kind of overwhelming. It's good for the business side of
skateboarding, but I think it's meant to be underground. You got shit like
the X Games put on by people who know nothing about skateboarding, and the
dude who goes the highest on the launch ramp wins the street contest, thats
just not right.
What trick so far has been the hardest for you to learn?
A fuckin' 360 flip. I used to be able to do them when I was little, but
they were always scraping the ground, so I stopped doing them. Now I get
schooled in out everytime when somebody does one. I'm sure if I put the
time in I could do them again, but if i can't pop a trick I don't bother
doing it. So to all you kids, remember, it's not what trick you can do, but
how well you can do it.
Are you afraid of rails?
Lately I am. Aroung 95 when no one around here was skating rails, that was
all me and Olu skated, but I broke my knee in 96, so ever since I've been
kind of scared. Skating rails is all in your head, there isn't a whole lot
of skill that's involved, rather a whole lot of confidence. I sacked myself
pretty hard this summer, so I'm in no rush to do that again.
How does the scene in Minnesota compare to other places you've skated?
I've skated all over the country, and I'll tell you this. The scene is
really mellow, for the most part, everyone is pretty level-headed, with the
exception of some. Minneapolis is the best city to skate. We've got a spot
on every corner. Sometimes I get burnt on it, cause I live downtown and
I've been skating the same spots for the last 7 years, but it is still the
best. R.I.P to the Federal Building, that's a damn shame.
Are you into winter sports?
Yeah, skating the skatepark and staying warm.
Who do you usually skate with?
Olu and Ryan Hansen are mainly the two people I skate with the most. I have
the most fun with them. I also skate with Seth McCallum, Ben Ragsdale(when
he's not clubbing), Mike Munzingrider, Chad Benson, Niel Erickson, John
Vang, Elijah, and Dre.
Have you ever been arrested?
Yes, only for skateboarding.
What local kids are standing out right now in your eye?
I've seen some up and comers. But those who stand out to me are kids like
Chad Benson, Ryan Hansen, Olu, Seth, Clint, Niel Erickson, Elijah, and that
little Chad kid, he's gonna be sick. But, Niel Erickson is gonna take over.
Any last words?
I'd like to thank my family, team Supernatural, Benji Meyer, Joe at Fobia,
my girlfriend Leila, and all the people who support skateboarding. I'd like
to say piss off to all the punk cops who feel tuff when they harass me for
skating. My final words to all the kids trying to come up today is, just
skate, let your skating do the talking, the rest will fall into place. Be
on the lookout for the Anonymous video, buy it, and support Supernatural
Clothing.
BY BRIAN PERRY
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