Photos and Filming in Lisbon By Adarle and Fruga
When I made the decision to move to Lisbon a few years back, I didn’t fully grasp what the city had in store. My initial impression wasn’t the greatest, especially with the ubiquitous Portuguese cobblestone making it tough to skate.
Having spent so many years in New York where you could skate pretty much anywhere, this was quite a change. However, to my surprise, it turned out to be quite the opposite. I witnessed some incredible street skating and the level of creativity was off the charts.
While in New York, I primarily focused on fashion photography, never really having had the chance to shoot skateboarding seriously; it was always just for fun with friends. Then I met Fruga, who is one of the main videographers here in Portugal. Originally from France, he too was blown away by the energy and the spots in Lisbon. That’s when we decided to start going on skate missions together to capture content.
Since we’re constantly on the lookout for new spots, we naturally encounter all kinds of skaters, both local and international. Our sessions are always laid-back; you might find yourself skating with beginners one moment and suddenly a pro or a local legend shows up, turning it into a mini-demo. Whether it’s someone attempting their first crooked grind or a pro pulling off a spectacular trick, everyone hangs out together, no cliques or rivalries, just a welcoming atmosphere.
When we’re not skating, we’re planning out the best spots and visualizing the tricks beforehand to make the most of our time. Communication is key; we discuss ideas and angles to ensure we capture the best shots and clips.
On a typical mission day, we gather at the spot, warm up, and get down to business. While it’s always a blast, we take our craft seriously because we’re passionate about what we do and strive for the best results. Somehow, we always end up skating with some of the best Portuguese skaters like Tiago Lopes, Theo Dabadie, and Joao Allen, or sometimes international pros like Mika Germond, Dylan Jaeb, or Chase Webb. Language isn’t a barrier; we both speak English, I also speak Spanish and some “Portuñol,” while Fruga speaks Portuguese and French.
If you’re ever thinking of visiting Portugal for a skate trip, don’t hesitate to reach out to either of us. We’d be more than happy to go on a mission or grab a beer together—non- alcoholic for Fruga and an Imperial for myself.
