Rob has been in the racing scene for quite a while now and has gotten the chance to skate with some amazing people in some equally amazing places. He also has a forum thread over on NCDSA. Having as much downhill experience as he has and being such an approachable guy, I figured he’d be a great person to have as the first interview on pdxdownhill.
So here it is, the Robert James McKendry III interview.
Just recently you moved to New York from Colorado, how’s that transition treating you?
The transition to NY has been really tough. I’m used to waking up in the mountains with mountains to ride and hills to bomb just out my door. Eagle County has an incredible bus system and most lines are free. In the Summer you can ride the buses like a chairlift and then move on to another neighborhood when it gets blown out. Rochester is pretty flat and cold so skating has been hard to do but I’ve shortened my wheelbase and loosened my trucks.
Older photo from ColoRado. Portland loc Skip Marcotte on the left and Rob in the middle.
Have you discovered anything about the Northeast’s downhill scene that you were previously unaware of?
I was pretty aware of the East Coast scene after traveling to many east coast races. Years ago the DC Downhill Crew put stuff on. Those guys had races in downtown DC that Chaput, De Gennaro, Kludy, Schnitzle, JimZ, Ian Commish and so many others came out for. The scene out here is alive we just have to put it away for a few months. Plenty of people still ride in the winter but it’s hard to put on an event on an icy road.
(edit) Also back to the East Coast scene. It has become more organized with the advent of www.beastcoastlongboarding.com and I’ve been to 2 races since I moved here in August. There are some fun country roads in PA and I hop to get into the mountains of WV and NY this spring.
Rob on the podium at an East Coast outlaw race. Try doing that with your board.
Earlier this year you were the announcer at my first race called the Cathlamet Downhil Corral. Was that your first time announcing? How did it feel to be talking about the race instead of skating in it?
I enjoyed announcing. Lotta fun and a lil weird cause none of the towns people had ever seen anything like this. So I’m calling out riders names and the action and realized I had to walk the spectators thru speedboarding 101. It’s one thing to announce to a crowd of downhill riders and try to entertain but the crowd was all towns people who had never watched 4 guys battle for the corner and drift across Main Street in front of the Chamber of Commerce. As far as night ridin…I would have liked to take a run but go into the turn solo maybe? That’s a tuff hill and hhhmmm…I’m starting to feel compettetive, compet, competetive? Ya I wanted to race.
Your first skateboard race was in 2000(correct?). What was your first impression of a downhill race?
My first race was 2000 at Campo outside of San Diego. I was goin there to see if I was going to sell all my new gear. I had taken a big fall in my new leathers back in Colorado and was ready to give up. I just wanted to see how the good guys did it first though to make sure I gave it a chance. You know go out with the pros and see if I could learn something. I flew out, rented a car and froze my ass of sleeping in the dessert. I got to meet everybody in the EDI crew, Biker, Lehr, Dread, Hardwick, Kludy, DT, Flindt, Cavey. Cavey taught me a lot. He just called me Colorado cause he didn’t want to remember my name. He later became a friend. After all the big dogs held my hand for a couple runs I was hooked. I didn’t realize Campo was pretty straight and not to challenging and I don’t think I’ve raced a hill like that since.
Me and Rob chilling at the top of Latigo in Malibu, CA.
Didn’t you compete in Danger Bay 1? What was that like? Didn’t you get 2nd? It must have been interesting to see the scene grow since the first big Canadian race.
Yeah DB1 was a trip. Literally. I slept in my leathers to stay warm in Sechelt on the front porch of the local newspaper. I think there was about 20 riders?? I was the fastest qualifier and Jody beat me in the final. So nobody remembers 2nd. Brycin took great pride in that event and still does. There are few people who have done as much as he has for growing the sport. At least for the pure love.
What are some of your favorite races that you’ve been to? (Including events that are no longer going on)
Well DB is one of my faves. I do like to travel so the journey for me to an event is part of the big picture. Travelling to these incredible places with such good people. We are a great big family and the other riders and ther friends and families have made it possible for me to see the World. As far as fun fast gnarly hills…in no particular order…Top Challenge, Demons of Downhill, Sandia, Donner Pass, Peyragudes, Jungholz, Rio, Capetown, Paskapoo…so many others.
Rob doing a qualifying run at Peyragudes.
The downhill scene has grown drastically over the last few years. Even since I’ve started doing races I’ve seen a growth. I could only imagine the changes you’ve seen happen over the last 10 years. What do you think of the changes to downhill skateboarding and do you think it will continue to grow and prosper?
The biggest changes are the numbers. The skill level has increased also. So the courses have become more technical and faster. I don’t like the idea of exploiting one turn though. This everybody fight for the hole shot to crash corner. I like the longer hills that have some drama and strategy plays a roll.
And yes the sport will grow. The economy sucks and people can afford gravity.
The technology in skateboard equipment has also changed a lot since you started doing downhill. What do you think is the best new product/innovation to happen to downhill skateboarding?
The best new product?? hmm The wheels have come a long way. The shapes allow riders to drift and corner with much more control and speed. People are also recognizing the can’t have a shitty helmet for this and rider feedback and communication wit’n the community has put better lids on eeerbody.
Maryhil Festival of Speed 2008
What are some different companies you’ve been sponsored by or worked with over the years?
I have a couple of boards that didn’t get made very many times from Landyatchz, StreetMissile, Never Summer, Afroman. I was getting wheels from Sector Nine and probably still could because those guys have been more than a company to me. I like the way they do business in that they wanna skate and not really worry bout business. Reminds me to say hi to those cats. Sector9 has been a big supporter. Radikal Trucks has always been good to me and Keith at Radikal has been quick with parts and help. Paris has flowed me trucks. StreetSwell has hooked me with beautiful boards. Jason at Comet has hooked me a couple times. Josh Rolf at Munkae Trucks has been helping me out lately. I’m thinking about all this now that you’ve asked but so many people have been really generous over the years. Lots of good people in this sport.
You and Kerry Dunn have gotten together and started your own board company called Skunk Tech. What kinda boards are ya’ll working on? How is it getting to design high-tech speedboards then riding them?
SkunkTechBoards are finally coming together. I couldn’t get the design I wanted from a coulple other companies so it had to be done on my own. Well I can’t spell carbon fibre and Kerry is an old friend who has been working on race cars for years. The thing about race people is (wait for it) They love racing! So when Kerry saw the potential to make a carbon skateboard he was way stoked. The boards we are making are light and strong and light and strong. And there’s no bullshit made up name hype material. Aluminum honeycomb and carbon. Kerry is a craftsman and his boards just keep getting better. We plan on introducing new constructions in early ‘10.
McKendry hanging out with Huey in Europe.
Do you see yourself getting involved in race organizing in the NE?
If somebody asks my 2 cents about an event I will always help, and I will always hump hay but I don’t know about goin to City Council meetings and explaining why we need a beer garden.
Other than skateboarding, what else is going on in your life?
I ride my bike in gnarly traffic everyday just for the rush.
Classic McKendry style.
What are your race plans for 2010?
No plans yet, gotta look at money and then time. I want to win so I will probably be racing the kids on my block before I sign up for another 100+ entry fee.
Since I’ve started doing downhill races I heard a lot about you and your presence in the scene. It’s really cool to hear your input on these different aspects of our sport. Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions Rob. Hopefully I’ll see you at more races next year!
Thanks Billy.
Good interview Billy, Rob’s the man.
Slick sir, nicely done. And I agree with mr. Morrow as well, Rob is the man!
Agreed, Rob is a class A guy. and skunktech is definitely bringin’ some sh*t to the table. i hope i can survive 10 years of DH.
Way to go ROB!! We miss you!!
great interview, fun to read.
that was cool
Im jays nephew.
Good interview Billy. Rob is the the total man. I still rememeber the bomb ass dinner he cooked for us at MaryHill two years in a row.
This was a sick interview and definitely an awesome read. Glad rob dropped our name.
rad interview!
Rado’s loss is our gain. Rob is the best and we’re stoked to have him here in the east. We love this guy!!!
Excellent interview with one of my oldest friends in the DH scene! Good questions are not as easy as they seem, and Rob could have answered even the weakest ones with style and insight. Good job to you both!
Our first heat together was Pikes Peak in 2002, It was my first EDI race, he was SO stoked that there would finally be a Gravity Games qualifier in ColoRADo, but alas none of us were Pros. Amateurs like us weren’t eligible, and would have to podium 3 times in one season to become Pros.
Danny Connor made it into the Pro ranks at that race and I remember thinking that Rob and should have Pro status for being the ONLY rider from ColoRADo to ride.
He is always a class act if he can help it.