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Bob Burnquist grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil and began skateboarding at age 11. Bob turned pro at age fourteen while living in Brazil. With his open mind, creative and win-or-slam approach, Bob helped to revitalize and shape overall vertical skateboarding in the late ’90s in a big way. He is known and respected for his uncanny and unusual ability to skate equally well both regular and goofy-foot, the progression of trying tricks switch-stance, or doing tricks backwards as well as forward.
Name: Bob Burnquist
Birthday: October 10
Location: Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
Homebase: Vista, CA
Sport: Professional Skateboarder on the Dew Action Sports Tour
Q: What's the most bodacious chance you've ever taken?
A: I would say that trying to figure out a way to Skate into the Grand Canyon was it. And then I had to carry it through and that was a roller-coaster of emotions all the way through.
Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned about yourself? What's the biggest lesson you haven't learned?
A: That I’m human, that I shouldn’t judge or preach, I should just do and be what I expect people to be. I also learned that we’re better off not promising what we can’t deliver. Specially when it comes to skateboarding into the Grand Canyon! Don’t put yourself in that situation if you can’t pull it off.
Q: On those days when you're not motivated to work out, but you know you have to, what's the one thought that gets you going?
A: The funny thing is , is that if I’m not motivated I won’t do it when it comes to working out. Although when I’m bouncing back from injury, I will make myself work out because there’s nothing else I can do. If I can’t skate, I will work out as much as I can to get back on my skateboard. So the thought of skateboarding again is what motivates me. And if I’m not injured I just try and think that if I was hurt, I would be working out, so I’m better off getting stronger and not getting hurt again. So most of the times I am motivated and I’m ready.
Q: What person do you respect most, or who motivates you?
A: Danny Way.
Q: If you had to choose a specific song or band to get you psyched for your workout, what would it be? What other songs are on your iPod?
A: I’ve been working out to Damien Marley’s latest album. I like the beats to keep the flow going. But sometimes I can go with some Bad Brains too. It really depends on how I feel, but as long as there’s music going on, It’s a lot easier to get into it. My Ipod is filled with all kinds of different vibes. I have lots of Brazilian Music in there, I love Brazilian rhythm and beats.
Q : What unhealthy food (candy, cake, etc..) do you dream about?
A: I don’t really dream about it, If I want it I have it. But most times I’m not crazy into it, but I’m not gung-ho about depriving myself of something I want either. Since I grew up in Brazil, I dream about the Brazilian sweet treats, I only dream about it because it’s regional and If I’m not in Brazil I can’t have it! You better be sure I will though on my next trip down there.
Q: What is the one food or meal you always eat before an event? What about before training?
A: I make a lot of smoothies, I usually make a Whey Protein, Hemp seed oil, Moringa powder mix with whatever juice I feel like at the time. I also drink a lot of Sambazon Acai during events. It’s a Brazilian Fruit Berry that’s very full filling but not heavy. I can also throw down some energy bars for a quick fill before a skate. Oh, and lots of water, always.
Q: If you could only do one strength training exercise what would it be?
A: I would probably be a core exercise. An all around ab workout. If your core is strong, your set.
Q: What do you consider the world’s most perfect food? Please be specific and try not to answer with a category but rather with a specific food item: for example, not “whole grain” but “raisin bran cereal”?
A: Açaí. Check out Sambazon.com for more info.
Q: How do you take total control of your mind and body to achieve the focus you need during pivotal sports moments?
A: When you get on a skateboard, you get into a zone of focus. You are thinking about the task at hand so it helps you keep it together. When it comes to big events and competition, the pressure can be overwhelming , but it’s manageable if you can keep yourself collected. I usually tend to breathe a lot and I visualize staying on my board all the way through. The deep breaths and visualization have helped me win several competitions and kept me alive during the Grand Canyon Stunt. I also keep my mind wide open to the possibilities.
Q: What do you do to reduce stress/relax/center your mind? Do you participate in an organized relaxation activity such as yoga, meditation or tai chi?
A: I skydive, Surf, play music... All those things help me relax and reduce stress. Skateboarding is also a part of reducing stress but since It’s my job, I like getting away from it every now and then. I do stretch a lot and sometimes I get into Yoga. But mostly it’s stretching on my own. Never got into Tai Chi, but it’s something I thought of. I like the energy study side of things.
Q: What was your worst summer job?
A: Was lucky enough to never have one. Straight into skateboarding.
Q: Define failure.
A step to accomplishment. It takes several failures to learn a skateboarding trick for example. There are frustrations and delayed success, but never say never. I’ve learned so many tricks on the 11th hour, when I was exhausted and hurt but I kept on going and as a reward, the trick was landed. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t , but if your healthy and willing, there’s always tomorrow if it doesn’t go down today!
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