Hard to think of a city whose spots contain as vibrant of an array of surfaces as Lisbon. You have the limestone Portuguese pavement that they’re famous for, but also a symphony of shitty bricks, worn-out asphalt and plain ol’ cobblestones all careening around maybe a sliver of smooth marble — oh and, there might be a tree waiting for you at the bottom of the bank.
As a result, Portuguese skate videos — which have become an omnipresent fixture on the front pages of Free, Grey, Vague, Pocket, Bubble et al. — have honed this unmistakable look that keeps them wholly distinct from all the other European scenes. There’s an extra ASMR-ness to the footage; that one longass slappy 5050 down the curb has to be one of the most satisfying clips in recent memory. Some of the other clips are masterworks in precision and timing.
1500 DIAS is the second full-length video from the good people at Cybercafé Skateshop in Lisbon’s central district, which had to break us the news that the hubba ledge Josh was horny to skate for years had been closed off for construction when we were there last month. Luckily, they also are the first skateshop we’ve ever seen to just …sell beers (so smart), which helped mediate the disappointment a bit. The “first day in Europe”-beer is a very specific beer ;)
The vid is by Gabriel Mafra, with Rafael Semedo, Leonardo Beazotto, Felipe Humphreys, Ethan Moriceau and Daniel Galli helping on camerawork. Even having been there just a few weeks ago, it’s pretty tough to not get all giddy to go back watching it.
Also, if I ran a skateshop, I’d have a real “fuck, how did I not think of that” facepalm moment upon seeing the J’Adore Cybercafé shirt. So fire.
Last thing: this is the hardest I’ve ever laughed at a fall in a skateboard video ever.
