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Ribamar skatepark tour in Portugal

Embarking on a mission to skate every skatepark in Portugal brings you to unexpected destinations, each with its own unique charm. Our journey led us to Ribamar skatepark, nestled near the picturesque town of Lourinhã.

While it may not boast the grandeur of some renowned skateparks, Ribamar captivates with its unconventional design and the opportunity to test our skills in overcoming its quirks. After a fun couple of hours, we decided to wrap up the day at the scenic beach of Areia Branca. Join us as we delve into our experience at Ribamar and its surrounding beauty.

Ribamar skatepark may not be the most famous destination on Portugal's skateboarding map, but its unassuming nature conceals an intriguing skate spot. Located near the charming town of Lourinhã, Ribamar skatepark offers a unique experience for skateboarders seeking a challenge. While some may perceive its peculiar obstacles as drawbacks, we found them to be an opportunity for creativity and pushing our skills.

Embracing the Quirky Design

Upon arriving at Ribamar skatepark, we were greeted by a collection of unconventional obstacles that piqued our curiosity. The park's layout features an amalgamation of eclectic elements, from oddly shaped ramps to curiously placed ledges. It may take a few tries to adapt to the park's idiosyncrasies, but once we embraced the challenge, it became a playground of possibilities. Ribamar skatepark encouraged us to think outside the box, igniting our imagination and pushing us to invent new lines.

Making the Most of It

Despite the initial unfamiliarity, we quickly found our rhythm at Ribamar and each trick we landed felt like a small victory. Ribamar's quirkiness transformed our skate session into a fun and challenging experience filled with laughter and a sense of accomplishment.

Rewarding Scenic Escape

As the sun began to set, we wrapped up our session at Ribamar and set our sights on the nearby beach of Areia Branca. Just a stone's throw away, this picturesque coastal spot offered the perfect retreat to relax and reflect on our skatepark conquest. We reveled in the beauty of the sandy shorelines, the soothing sound of crashing waves, and the refreshing ocean breeze.

Conclusion

Ribamar skatepark near Lourinhã may not be the most conventional skatepark you'll come across, but it presents a challenge for skateboarders eager to break away from the norm. Its peculiar design and quirky obstacles invite skaters to unleash their creativity and master new tricks. Moreover, the proximity to the breathtaking beach of Areia Branca provides a picturesque escape to unwind and savor the sense of accomplishment. So, if you find yourself on a skateboarding adventure through Portugal, don't miss the opportunity to embrace the uniqueness of Ribamar skatepark and discover the hidden charm of Lourinhã's skate scene.

Crew of the day: Rodrigo Simão, Margarida Cepeda, Purple and Madmax.

Visit Ribamar skatepark

By Haroun Cherif

How Troubl3 Keeps Making Trouble with Skateboards

June 29 2022 - Interview with Troubl3  “I always have been a troublemaker”. If Andrew, 41, had to pitch his idea, this could be a good punchline. It’s one of those cases where a business’s name is not just marketing, but a character’s extension. "So, Troubl3 is giving the middle finger to a lot of skate shops that do not support local people." Andrew (Owner Troubl3)   VISIT WEBSITE TROUBL3 is a Canadian skateboard shop based in Otawa. It was born in 2018 from the desire to go against the flow. “Skateboarding industry has become a mass production machine. Everything comes from China or Mexico, where people are not paid right. I buy something for one hundred dollars that really costs ten dollars”, he claims. “Then I thought: if I’m going to be a troublemaker, I might do something different. If I’m making a board it’s got to be unique like any skater is. I’m going to make one by one; it’s going to be tougher, it’s going to last more, every single board is going to be different. When you buy, it’s not just a board, it’s a piece of art and an experience”, he adds. This is something “one hundred percent customized”, from size, shape, wheels base, and a “seven veneer deck”. He proudly details: “Each veneer that goes into each deck is hand picked.” He buys local (wood from Quebec, for instance) in small batches, presses, shapes and hand paints the decks himself also, when he can, he promotes local artists to draw on the skateboards. “So, Troubl3 is giving the middle finger to a lot of skate shops that do not support local people who make stuff. They say they are local, but do not buy local”, Andrew reenforces, protesting against the rules of the game. “I always compare skateboards with pizza. I love pizza: a large one costs 50 bucks, the same you pay for a skateboard sometimes. Those skateboards are made overseas, they cost nothing to make, the price of pizza is gone to double, but the price of skateboards stayed the same for 30 years." “I evoke Paul Schmitt’s case all the time: a big name in this industry who shifted his business from California to Tijuana because people want to keep the price of a skateboard at 50 of 60 dollars for eternity. So, to keep his business going and pay his people, he had to move”, Andrew says.   He likes to be different. “Being marginalized is something good in skateboarding”. Although he admits the way he runs business is not sustainable: “The breakeven would be making 250 skateboards a month. Right now, I have had a month when I made four or five, others one or two.” It doesn’t matter. He believes this is the way. And he gives a discount if people really ride them and not just hang his skateboards on the wall. Authenticity is his brand, like the style he prefers for riders: “I like to see the most unorthodox skater. Do you do treflips? Fantastic, so can any other kid. I don’t care, throw your board against the wall, flip it on your head, do a back flip, do something I want to see. It’s different, do skateboarding and not do what others do.” “There’s a kid in Indonesia I started to follow who's skateboarding reminds me of a young Christian Hosoi. When I see the kid skate I can recognize Christian Hosoi’s influence. Can you recognize the inventors of other tricks you see people do at the park?”, he asks. Andrew sponsors five “troublemakers”: Eric Martin (Ontario), Dustin Lawrence (Ontario), Connor Callan aka Meat Feet (Arizona), Luis Uribe (Texas), Shinichi Nichiyama (Japan). He enjoys watching them and supports them the way he can. About his local skateparks, Andrew recommends: Bob MacQuarrie skatepark in Otawa Joel Gauthier skatepark in Rockland Local bus stop where where it's super smooth and is perfect for slappies, now that people stopped using busses, due to Covid, it's always empty and available.

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