Brazil’s Sergio Yuppie first came to the world’s attention in the video “Flow” from Gravity Skateboards. This was well over 12 years ago. His part featured insane slides at speed and combinations of moves that were unique and outrageous. For Sergio, sliding through fire and bombing down giant concrete slabs formed from bridges were as normal as a kickturn. As he tore up the streets to the sounds of the Dead Kennedy’s “California Uber Alles” viewers instinctively knew that he was going to leave a huge mark on the world of skateboarding. When I finally got to see Sergio skate live at Slidefest back in 2005, it was absolutely mesmerizing. Sergio’s love of skating radiates around the world and his passion for riding has been passed down to his sons Fernando, aged 21, Sergio Junior, 19, and Christian, aged 8. Although we’ve met on a number of occasions and Sergio has had two covers with Concrete Wave, the timing has never been right to conduct a major interview. It just so happened that my trip to California in August coincided with his time there. I conducted two interviews in Laguna Beach. Waves crashed in front of us and the lifeguard was kept busy rescuing people. For Sergio, life as the world’s preeminent slider is pretty damn amazing and yet he takes it all in stride.
Interview by Michael Brooke
I heard that you had a promising career as a banker, but you gave it up to be a professional skater.
Yes, that’s absolutely true. There were some tests that I had to pass in high school, and I joined up with a bank in Sao Paulo at eighteen. I was working in the credit card department.
What was it like to work there?
I was a good worker, but it was an awkward situation. They liked my work but were somewhat wary of my skateboarding exploits. I would come to work and try and hide the epoxy that was stuck to my hands that I had gotten while building boards in my garage. On at least three occasions I had to film for local TV stations during work and it was very difficult to run out and shoot.
Were your co-workers aware of your contest results?
They did see me in the newspaper, and were impressed, but I am not sure they really understood me. They gave me a nickname that translates into “little crazy guy downhiller.”
You were a pretty young father at age 19.
Yes, I was. I was pretty overwhelmed at the time. Fortunately, my manager at the bank was able to help me get through things. The bank even helped me with insurance and was very supportive when it came to informing my extended family.
How did you get into sliding?
When I first started, I had no information about anything. I didn’t know Cliff Coleman. The first time I got to understand skateboarding was with the movie “Thrashin”, in 1987. This is where I saw people sliding on skateboards.
So, if it hadn’t been for that movie, you wouldn’t have started sliding?
When I saw this movie it changed my life. Daggers forever! But soon after this video, I watched the Powell Peralta video that featured Cliff Coleman and Stacy Peralta downhill sliding.
Who were the Brazilian skaters you looked up to?
Fernando Bat Man, Daniel Kim. I watched these guys for years and so much wanted to ride like they did. I didn’t have the skills, but I was hungry to learn. They would actually show contests on TV that featured sliding. It was very popular for a time.
Were your parents supportive of you skateboarding?
From the beginning, my mother was very much against it. She didn’t like it all. My father, however, was supportive, but they wouldn’t buy me boards. I started working at the age of eleven, earning some money and I put this toward skateboards.
In 1995, you became a professional skater at the age of 21. But you decided to quit the bank.
My mother thought I was crazy. My wife was supportive. I loved working with the people at the bank, but I decided to trust skateboarding.
How did you first get to California?
There was a guy named Plinio Curi. Plinio runs Plimax Distribution in Brazil and carries Santa Cruz. I was working for him in sales. He brought me to California and I met up with the people at Santa Cruz. Their focus was mostly on street and they weren’t really interested in what I was doing. I couldn’t speak English very well but I tried to explain that I wanted to make a video part. They passed but strangely enough, I had met Tim Brauch two years before in Brazil. I took care of him when he toured there. He told me “I have never seen sh*t like you are doing on a skate!”
How did you meet up with Michael Bream of Gravity?
I decided that I wanted to see if I could make it in California. So, I quit the job with Plinio and tried to get another sponsor. I had a few contacts including Linda Prettyman who worked over at Tracker Trucks. I was sponsored by Tracker and she showed Michael my video. I so much appreciate what Linda did.
So, then what happened?
Well, at the time Jeff Budro, Brad Edwards, Kevin Kennedy and Michael all watched my tape together. They brought me over to California and in 2001 and I joined the team.
Tell me about your video part in Flow?
I have such great memories of the time. It is one of the highlights of my career. When Michael Bream and I started this project, I leaped at the opportunity to show the planet how I can do my skills. I was excited to film all my crazy stuff, including the death drop under the big bridge.
It must have been somewhat crazy trying to make it here in California?
It was an adventure. I could barely speak English and I had very little money. At the time, the Brazilian money was not worth very much against the US Dollar. I knew that I had to make it and I worked extremely hard.
You are known primarily as a slider, but I wondered about the other types of skateboarding you’ve done.
When I first started, I was sliding, but at the beginning of the 1990’s, I was skating with my friend Marcos Et. He’s an old school skater and skates everything. He told me I needed to open my mind and start incorporating street skating into my tech sliding. I enjoyed competing in street contests. I love to watch vert but there wasn’t much available where I lived in Brazil. I like mini ramps and I have even tried slalom.
Was it difficult to incorporate street skating into your riding?
No it wasn’t. In fact I found that learning to street skate and do things like ollies made me go faster. When you learn other types of skateboarding it absolutely helps you progress.
What is your overall philosophy when it comes to the idea of skate everything?
I think when you are younger, many skaters tend to be focused on street, but as you get older, you start to discover that all types of skateboarding can offer something truly worthwhile. My friends, when they were younger only rode street, now they love it all.
What is your favorite place to skate downhill?
It’s Ladeira da Morte in San Paulo. When I skate there, I feel the vibes from the eighties. I remember my time growing up and seeing my hero’s skate this hill. In 2011 I competed in a longest slide contest and hit 67 meters (over 200 feet).
How did you finally meet up with Cliff Coleman – one of your skate idols?
It was 2001 and I was at Gravity Skateboards hanging out with Max Congai. I had my back turned and suddenly I feel this tap on my shoulder. It’s this big guy and Michael Bream says “hey Sergio, this is Cliff Coleman”. Thankfully, Max had taught me Spanish and I was able to speak with Cliff. (editors note: Cliff has now taught himself Portuguese!) I gave him a hug and we started speaking. I never forgot that day. He is the true father of downhill sliding. We love traveling together.
Your most recent video has over a million views on You Tube. Did that surprise you?
Yes it did. I just like to share my love of skateboarding with the world. I enjoyed making the video and I tried my very best. I got a good vibe working with people like film maker Michael Alfuso and it comes through.
You’ve traveled quite extensively. We need one crazy road story.
Oh man, I have a lot, but here’s one. It’s 2001. I am in Tijuana Mexico with Plano, Bream and other members of the Gravity Team. I started to drink a lot of tequila. It’s around 2am and I am in a strip club. I gave the barman $5 and he winds up giving me a full bottle of tequila. I drink the tequila like water. Two minutes later, I jumped up on the runway and start dancing with the girls. The girls got angry with me and told me to get off. So, I start jumping and dancing on the sofas. The security guy warned me to calm down. But I am like a devil. I am literally doing skate moves in the club. Eventually, they throw us out. At the front of the club, there is a rack of fliers for the establishment. I took the fliers and the security tells me to put them back. He then gives me a punch in the mouth. I started to want to fight the guy and my friends are holding me back. Then another security guy turns to Bream and says; “you better take this motherf*cker out because he can get killed with a shotgun here”. When I arrived at US Immigration, the officer took one look at my face and said “move on.” I was sick for four days after this experience. No more tequila.
Your three sons obviously have inherited your love of skateboarding. Tell us about your relationship with them.
I am so proud of what they are doing. They inspire me to skate harder and to progress. When I see the next generation skate hard, it makes me feel so happy. Fernando is now working with me at Curva Da Hill making decks in our shop.
Brazil just hosted the World Cup and a lot of money was spent on stadiums. My country spends a lot of money on soccer and some would say this is to the detriment of other things like hospitals and schools. It’s sad to see the corruption. Skateboarding is very popular in Brazil but it is very difficult to get funding for skateparks. It drives me crazy and I can only hope that things will get better in the future.
When you look back on your almost three decades of skateboarding, could you ever imagine it would take you to where it has?
I love traveling and showing people the beauty of skateboarding. It saved my life and I am so happy to share my joy of skateboarding with the world.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years at age 50?
I want to ensure that I am in good health. I look up to people like Cliff and Victor Ernhart who are both in their 60’s riding skateboards with so much passion. My dad is 74 and is still having fun fixing up old cars. I can see myself riding with my kids and who knows, maybe even my grandchildren!