Chico Brenes | The Nine Club - Episode 317

Chico Brenes Discusses crossing the boarder into the US when he was a kid, going to EMB for the first time, how he got on World Industries, filming for the Love Child video, leaving World Industries for Chocolate Skateboards, his appendix bursting & needing emergency surgery in Nicaragua, doing the voiceovers for The Chocolate video "Las Nueve Vidas De Paco", opening Central Skateshop in Nicaragua, why he ultimately left Chocolate, starting his company Chico Stix, getting into cycling after his knee injury, Chico Stix x Factor Bikes collab, Animal Thug and much more!
#TheNineClub #ChicoBrenes #ChicoStix
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Links we talked about in this episode
Switchflip Switch Manny: • Chris Roberts | Switch...
I'm Glad I'm Not Me: / @chrisroberts
Chico Brenes Instagram: / chicobrenes
Skatefol.io: skatefol.io/chicobrenes
World Industries Love Child: • Chico Brenes - World I...
World Industries New World Order: • New World Order 1993 f...
FTC Finally: • FTC "Finally" (1993)
Chocolate Las Nueve Vidas De Paco: • Chocolate Skateboards ...
FTC Penal Code 100A: • FTC "Penal Code 100A" ...
Girl Mouse: • Girl Skateboards "Mous...
The Chocolate Tour: • "The Chocolate Tour" F...
Chocolate Hot Chocolate: • Chocolate "Hot Chocola...
DVS Skate More: • DVS "Skate More" (2005)
LRG Give Me My Money Chico: • LRG - Give Me My Money...
Timestamps
00:00:00 Chico Brenes
00:04:45 Lil' Cheeks crossing the boarder into the US
00:20:04 Bmx'ing and being introduced to skateboarding
00:23:53 Chico's first SF homie
00:28:18 Going to EMB for the first time
00:30:43 How he went from Rolando to Chico
00:40:22 How Chico got on World Industries
00:43:20 Schnurrballs antics
00:46:09 The Love Child video
00:48:37 Going pro for World Industries
01:00:43 The beginning of Girl and Chocolate
01:03:33 Getting on Chocolate
01:05:37 His appendix bursting
01:12:17 The Chocolate Las Nueve Vidas De Paco video
01:15:41 Leaving Chocolate
01:18:14 Riding the big boards after knee surgery
01:27:07 Why Chico left Chocolate
01:41:53 Chico Stix!
01:44:19 Chico's current relationship with Crailtap
01:59:20 Central Skateshop
02:08:42 Chico's DVS shoe
02:10:46 LRG
02:12:35 Betting on tricks
02:18:31 Touring
02:22:42 Getting into cycling after his knee injury
02:28:30 Chico Stix x Factor Bikes collab
02:32:29 Chico the bike racer
02:46:34 Animal Thug
02:48:26 Bedtime
Edited By: Tim Olson & Roger Bagley

[@tomasta]

chico is the man, great episode. I remember staying at his family house on that LRG tour in Nicaragua. that demo we did was insane! so many people. they were promoting over the radio broadcasts in nicaragua haha... Thanks to chico for making that tour happen, one of my favorite trips of all time.

[@geezdawg]

finally someone who is honest and not scared to be real , respect

[@carcass85]

​@@671oneblood you're the clown lol

[@cfitzg]

he'll prob pay your friend now that you put him on blast (maybe he forgot?)- call him. This is an incredible episode. What an amazing story Chico has lived. Mad respect.

[@capo_di_capi]

True, and probably why Crailtap lost MJ, Koston Mariano, and Andy Jenkins, their art director, all in the same year. You don’t break contracts with the very guys who built your brand.

[@timellison5771]

They did the something to Jeremy rogers

[@dillwill1813]

Chico might be the most real and honest guest yet.

[@Bodogization]

Chico really speaking from the heart with no filter

[@FlyingFoxFruits]

back around 2001 when I lived in CA near La Brea, I was wearing the Chico shoes, I think DVS, I had got them for free as hand me downs...Chico saw me by chance working at the Fish Grill, and he saw me wearing his shoes, and gave me some product as a way of saying thanks...Im pretty sure another pair of shoes and some clothes. I felt bad because I hadn't bought them, but this guy was the nicest and most appreciative pro I had met in person.

[@CitySkates]

The OG Girl/Choc shows are the best. They're always great conversations filled with so much detail. Chico's already got my attention and I'm just a few minutes in. Good one, boys.

[@6to8john]

Was a little rough to hear about the late checks, and just kinda being left out there waiting for them…. :(

[@M1lk1000]

Chico is forever my favorite skater. I remember meeting him at Potrero on one of my first trips to SF from NY and he gave me some tips on how to skate the park and was just the best guy. Been waiting on this episode for a while!

[@Markcurb]

I met Chico in 2021 at the pier 7 and he was the one of the warmest person I ever met. I remember how he showed me how to get to FTC from there on his phone.

[@ClutchDumars]

This was absolutely fascinating to watch. Chico is such an incredible person. His story was truly inspiring. And the fact you can do tricks on a block of wood, shows how truly incredible skateboarding is. This is definitely a Top 10 interview, thanks 9 Club!

[@matthansen3405]

Nice to hear truth about business. I have a different view of girl and chocolate now. I had a Chico board back in the day it was one of my favs. Chico has good energy! Great episode guys

[@betothemexican3711]

Made it seem like Crob and Jeron would pay Crail to stay on the team lol but everyone’s situations and goals are different 🤷‍♂️

[@rahmanpermana4741]

i just bought a Girl board cos how much I love Pretty Sweet but i also have a different view now. I haven't even skated the board yet...

[@trippyoung1784]

Gino, Chico, MJ and Jerry Hsu were all done wrong but doing to Chico is straight up wrong. I’m beginning to realize Mike Carroll isn’t a good person.

[@florencioquintanajr6086]

@@trippyoung1784what happened with Jerry? Marc’s had to do with his Adidas deal and now we know what happened with Chico

[@stuartcarter7357]

Chico is chocolate

[@TheGripGod]

I don’t know Kelly personally but I’m glad Chico called him out on switching up after he turned pro ! respect and loyalty over EVERYTHING

[@nathanskates98]

No.. sometimes you have to do what's best for yourself ! Loyalty doesn't feed families. We all want skaters to get paid and have careers then why do skaters get mad when skaters get paid and have careers 🤔

[@DinoMaita]

Who did Kelly leave to ride for? I didn't quite follow

[@s_wggns]

@@DinoMaita Chico turned Kelly pro for Central and Kelly left to go back to Expedition.

[@cptafar]

@@nathanskates98 that makes sense, but Kelly was loyal to Expedition and they did him dirty, which is why Chico was pissed he went back to them. He said if it was any other company he wouldn't have cared.

[@HisNameIsX1]

Shout out to Chico for opening up about leaving chocolate. Been killing it

[@whocares4026]

Yo im a member. Thank you to whoever gifted it!!🙏

[@amoeba_x]

Wasn’t me but that’s sick haha

[@capo_di_capi]

I'll take credit.

[@josiahamaze]

Whocares

[@SwytchNolly]

Good chance it was maga420. He was throwing out subscription gifts like a baller the other night.

[@_bobo__]

❤

[@hassan4773]

Got 41 minutes in and have been laughing and reminiscing and just feeling good about Life and skateboarding. So stoked you put my favorite Chocolate rider on finally. Chico has always been a standout personality and skateboarder but his recent output... It's so inspiring to see a guy come out of one of the best companies ever and get even better. His "7x7" part is on repeat around here. Chico Stix is consistently doing cool shit. Shout out to the lads at 9 Club and shout out to Chico Brenes for bringing the "morning stoke" and everything else!

[@forwardforever9178]

ya, companies need to have a process where they face the situation of their pros moving on. Give them 6 more months pay celebrate them and give them a promotional goodbye saying thanks for there service. Especially to the OGs putting 20+ at companies. people repect that and sell more borads as a goodbye, giving the legends a true send off. Most see it coming and would go out with honor. Thanks to 9club for giving these legends a place for us to watch and respect the legends of skateboard history. same happened to ronnie creager, jerermy wray and many others.

[@nicolasbaker9601]

For real. And it's been like this forever. They need to be protected. Unionize!

[@Sellbow]

Exactly what I was thinking when he was questioned with why he left chocolate. And then he spills the beans and you're like oh shit that makes a lot of sense then! Ive quit jobs over non payment of labor. Who wouldnt

[@surfranch]

Chico, thanks for the mention! 2:00:52 - Was great hosting and meeting the pros over the years, we will need to start it up again!

[@SomaSkateArte]

Chico is the best dude in the skateboard world! One time here in Brazil, I gave him and a couple of DVS teammates a ride from the airport to their hotel in Rio, and in the middle of really busy road a car came next to us and some dudes were screaming: “Chico Brenes! Chico Brenes”!!! Haha! I was so surprised he was so that recognizable around here! Also, he is by far THE most humble and nice skater I’ve ever met!

[@DougTunnler]

This is a long anticipated interview. I keep saying Chico's boards during the late 90s - early 00s are why 8"+ boards are common today. I never knew that much about him. He was elusive and his decks were a rare find cause shops didn't see any demand for anything over 8" wide back then. Nice to finally have a story to such an enigmatic figure.

[@jaydeedee6344]

Team Size 13, it was tough finding boards over 8” but man it was great when you did.

[@KnuxDeluxe]

gAY

[@dontworry5981]

Yeah, I always skated 8.25 to 8.5 back then so whenever I found a wider deck I would swoop it up regardless of the brand or graphics. They were definitely rare finds back in the day

[@DougTunnler]

@@dontworry5981 i remember getting some 8.375 -8.5" decks that were cut from a blank molded for a 7.5" shape. it was like they bought 8 year old Hell Concave blanks at H-Street 's garage sale.

[@omaralverio]

They started scrambling when he was telling the truth about why he left chocolate, they made sure to protect their checks real quick 😂

[@5kidsand2dogs]

😂😂

[@user-no7ic8jb4t]

FoReal.

[@sooperheep]

Stfu dude, like u know what anyone else’s reality is

[@Scrootumm]

@@sooperheep lol cope harder, everyone knows already

[@thisismusic5105]

Scrambling is a bit of an exaggeration, I thought they seemed empathetic. Chico’s their homie and that was the vibe.

[@vincentgioffre9173]

I discovered the Nine Club in 2018, I have been waiting for the Chico episode since 2019! 🔥🔥🔥

[@nathanskates98]

I discovered the nine club in 2018, I have been waiting for the Chico episode in 1989.

[@maartenderyck1]

I remember playing game of skate with chico at parallel during the filming of pretty sweet , such a humble dude! You guys got me hooked with these emb stories, Early nineties really was the golden era❤❤❤

[@superp0tato]

such a rad conversation . cheeks always the coolest dude . the fact he got a factor bike is insane . congrats on everything chico !

[@BigSirZebras]

13:39 pretty sure Crob meant to say that the perception of time is different for kids but he said it was quick where I think he meant the opposite. 2 years for a 6 year old is like two life times. At least for me that was the case as a kid. Now as a 45 year old I just accidentally spent 5 years in Cambodia because of the pandemic. 2nd grade felt infinitely longer than the past 5 years.

[@DMoney505]

Right, I agree 100% looking back at my summertimes skating and hanging with friends it felt like several years when in reality it was only a matter of months…. Scary how fast the last 3-4 years have flown by since 2020

[@ssbstsfb]

a nine club + chocolate ad with boards on top of chico while hes struggling to talk about the brand not paying him for months... very bold decision

[@Westcoastnn]

1:25:20 My homie Left chocolate for a real reason in 2019 Mike & Rick are very strange i love Chico shining light on some real shit thank for letting him speak his peace Nine Club

[@nicolasbaker9601]

Who dat is?

[@MtZaba]

strange in what way?

[@jmanborg]

Stoked on this one for sure! Chico is 🔥

[@johnnypea43]

Can't wait to give this one a full watch

[@DawnPeez]

I’ve been wanting to see Chico on for the longest. One of SF’s legends… Not too many people look to be having that much fun on all types of boards… in and out of the water.

[@jonoung]

Finally. Honestly was surprised to see the image for the video with him on it. Dudes my favorite skateboarder, met him about 10 years ago and he was such a dope dude. Love ya Chico!!

[@golt_45]

We need a one-off Rolando pro model from Chico Stix

[@HighhScore]

I haven’t even watched this yet but Girl/chocolate stopped by Reno for a demo some long time ago and I remember the team ripping the park amongst us (I was a teen at the time). I remember skating alongside Chico, I was close enough to be filming him, and he popped the highest trick off of flat I’ve ever seen. It was literally up to my chest. I also remember Brandon Biebel just getting it in with authority too. His skating at the time was so aggressive. Polar opposite of Chicos smooth lax style but both had pop like I’ve never seen. That really cemented the difference between regular folk and professionals. I was know for having huge pop growing up but nothing like the force behind these dudes pop. And they make it look like they’re not trying too. I got a sweet pair of orange and white ventures for raising up my board with some crusty trucks at the time too. Such a fucking awesome memory!

[@nathanskates98]

Dude when I was younger, plan b came to my local for a demo.. watching prod, Cole, wenning, in person made me realize just how ridiculous pros were. Prod was doing reg 180 tricks and switch 180 tricks down gaps in lines every try. Cole kickflip bs noseblunted a rail no one ever skated, wenning was doing switch bs tails 3 shuvs for fun.

[@HighhScore]

@@nathanskates98 Prod has a gap named after him at the same park I mentioned before. These dudes are weapons haha. Whole other level of shred.

[@smoothvandal916]

Omg!!!!! Finally!!! My hero! Most anticipated nine club episode. By far.

[@joeydlc]

1:27:10 "U CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH ROBERTS" 😂Love Chico man. SF 🧡🖤

[@benjaminschweizer8764]

Chico speaking truth, keeping it 💯. What a real one and inspo , OG!!!

[@StevenMorris-zv5zm]

Chico is the epitome of a professional. In 96, as an East Coaster in SF, we ran into him at the blocks where I broke my deck during a session. He called me over and I was hoping he'd slide me his used one as he was setting up a freshy. Nope. dude kicked me the new deck and we skated for an hour. Never saw him again and id be surprised if he would remember this as my guess is that he did this often. The seemingly small things...

[@zadekeys2194]

Chico is super down to earth. Watching this feels like catching up with a childhood friend.

[@amoeba_x]

Yoooo Chico!! I loved this episode so much!! You’ve been a legend since I was a jit!! My homies and I always thought Chocolate was the hardest team because of cats like you. I love y’all! Thanks to all of you for this amazing content!!!

[@mc540flip]

Chico’s rad! I loved his Love Child part-so good. I started cycling 10 years ago, done some racing, totally relate to his experience. Stoked he’s still killing it.

[@MANNYBASSFISHING]

Chico is the best I remember meeting the whole Girl and chocolate team at LA High. Chico sold me a used board for $5 bucks 😂 best day ever 🙌🏽

[@Ken120Hz]

Nice 🤣🤣😆😆😆 thats a dope memory to have

[@bmischief43]

The guys at GP whom Gave you those trucks was Jeff Whitehead and Mickey Reyes.... It was them in the truck and they killed that spot...#ConcreteJungle #EMB43VER #GP

[@rmhfpv9225]

When I was around 15 I bought a deck off Chico for $20 across the street from EMB around 1993. I was stoked.

[@los4698]

Some straight laugh out loud moments. One of the best yet.

[@joshmccrow7109]

Awesome! I’ve been waiting for a Chico episode forever!

[@RJ-01]

Chico is awesome. Great person, had the chance to meet him in SF at the Trasher store.

[@vekseum4438]

Incredible episode. Thank you for this. 🙏

[@alexcorona]

I had been waiting for the Chico episode since the show started, thank you guys! ❤

[@mattstahley6340]

The graphic on the far left of those 4 boards you showed was Chico’s. I still have that board but the graphics are basically gone

[@rmhfpv9225]

Chico is a skate treasure. I put him up there with Guy and Gonz. The legends that still not only skate but rip it up.

[@highginx]

Still only 20 mins into the episode, the stories of adversity shared on this show spoken from honest truth is what makes this show so inspirational and impactful

[@nelsonpolo2nd]

Yoooo! CHICO! That's what's up!🔥

[@thomasrainbow]

Chico is such a legend! I always loved his part in Mouse and Paco. The music was so fire. He deserves more respect!! - Thanks guys hope there is a part 2! CHI-CO!

[@burgessfamilyvideos]

The most REAL skate industry talk to date.

[@alextrugs]

Stoked for this one BED TIME

[@JewYen]

I have one of the boards that has Chico’s name on it before he named his brand Chico Stix. Stoked that I was able to get one

[@_NullAchtFuffzehn]

Honest interview! Thanks a lot guys!!

[@darrinlorentzii3834]

You guys brought the heat again! This was such a miraculous story..just enthralled the whole time

[@fangksantana]

Best interview in a while and that says alot cause y'all have been on fire

[@marcosalonzo22]

Favorite episode so far!

[@inout7917]

Finalmente carajo! Muchas gracias muchachos por este BEST episodio!

[@Dedalus0]

The McKee baptism graphic was Chico's first non-slick World board. I bought it at FTC the day they received the shipment. Kent's uncle (can't remember his name) was working and said, "I remember when Chico first started coming in here. Quiet as a mouse."

[@robertclark5478]

So hyped for this one!!

[@averyprice9422]

I am so hype for this... I'm on it as soon as I get off work..

[@ruiserrao]

There´s no one who doesn´t like Chico Brenes, Legend!

[@marokokisetter]

this is a great episode.. deserves more views! especially with Chico flowing with Chris and Jeron's and shared respective histories on Girl/Chocolate.. lots of good laughs and great insight. appreciate

[@robwolfe652]

Great episode! Wish everyone was this honest and open. Chico Rules!

[@user-no7ic8jb4t]

Many thanks to Chris for his sincere homage to Gabriel and his phenomenal part in the Chocolate video. RIP AYA !🙏It was heartbreaking to hear he passed away. Not much from crailtap as far as condolences. Never clear on why they dropped his board way back. All that about being family and look how weird it got......money ruins love.Chico real because Chico EMB . All that Era was about innovating and being straight up. Not pulling punches. Now it's tip toe don't offend nobody. Much respect Cheeks and good lookin on the board company. You made history up in the Bay.

[@stuartcarter7357]

Bought a t shirt from chico at radlands, he tried to hit me up for extra £5 for signing it. Still one of my favs. All time great

[@michaelgoering655]

This episode deep, they all peeled back some layers and it was authentic. Huge respect gentlemen🫡

[@uraba624]

This was amazing!

[@on-lineworldwide9267]

I’ve been waiting for this interview since 1994!!!!!!! 🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮

[@Ianms]

Had so many Chico decks when he rode for chocolate back in the day. Stoked for this episode!

[@RICKANDLOGANSHOW]

Epic episode! Long overdue, well worth the wait!

[@anadraham2995]

🔴 One of the best interviews ever PERIOD 🔴

[@unclebill385]

Ive been waiting for this!!!❤❤❤

[@obiseankenobi2056]

thanks. needed this - and chico stix is the hardest thing out .

[@JasonLong-gt8ij]

Hell yeah!! Chico one of my all time fav pro's, that style

[@soulrebel3880]

One of my favorite skaters ever! Hell yeah Chico!

[@cedbea6135]

this might be one of the best interview ever , love it ! 1000

[@williep8890]

Another living legend, another great episode 👏👏👏

[@andyafi1]

Chico has real integrity. What an inspirational dude. Best nollie heels. Great skater. Great human being. Inspirational

[@heshhippietv]

Such a great episode, Gotta Love Chico‼️

[@ericivy9979]

Chico's story gets me stoked to live life. Great episode!

[@Abdulrauf.1979]

Was waiting for this for years!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤ viva Nicaragua!!!!!!

[@stefanosedioli9106]

Best episode ever.....Chico is a real skater and a real guy ❤❤❤❤❤

[@jeremiahpatterson6232]

Love this!!

[@roms1984]

This was so great. That nollie heel manual with no nose was buttery!

[@brandongoesphotoxvideo]

This makes my heart happy

[@BugsySailor]

So good. Didn't know a lot about Chico. Especially fantastic to hear a firsthand story about immigrating to the US.

[@vxyz5219]

One of the realest yet to be featured on here

[@ryudragonpunch9025]

OG Chico keeping it 💯 and funny as hell!!!

[@ItisMeMike]

🐐 .. i skated so many big boys . One of my favorites for sure

[@DinoMaita]

Great interview. CB kept it real.

[@jaredmciverimagery]

these shows are produced so well. damn!

[@briansk8362]

Chico! I met a few pros back in the day, but Chico was the best. Only dude down to kick it cuz we were skater family. Much love Chico!

[@thisismusic5105]

Chico is the man. Loved this one! Gotta get PJ Ladd and Brian Summer on here sometime soon!

[@MCEEZR]

This one of my fav epi’s

[@BeingBB9]

Didn't disappoint. 👏👏👏

[@flatmatters]

Incredible episode

[@Jfaups08]

Fantastic episode.

[@DroidsR_Us]

Been waiting on the Chico interview🫡