The stone skatepark is a creation by our great friend Adrián Otero, originally from Pontevedra and with more than 25 years on a board. Years ago he started as a student at the Poio stonemason school to end up as a teacher there, and is now carrying out a personal project associated with the same school: stone skateparks.
Here is a brief but substantial interview with this master of stone and wood.
Hello Adrián, can you tell us when you started combining leisure and work?
The truth is that from a stonemason skater or sculptor, call it what you will, only a project like this could emerge.
How did I combine it? Well, in Pontevedra, the provincial capital, we always suffered from a lack of skate facilities, so I came up with the idea of making it a course project for my students at the Escola de Canteiros with the aim of modernizing the trade and setting up something different near the island of sculptures in Pontevedra, which ultimately didn't pan out, but it did come to fruition in O Grove, losing a bit of the main focus for external reasons.
Is there anything or anyone you draw inspiration from to create the parks?
I don't really get inspiration from anyone; it emerged very naturally with the idea of doing something different and innovative.
What module would you add to Stonehenge?
Regarding Stonehenge, it's clear!! A stonepool... in the middle.
This is your second stone skatepark; the first is in O Grove, and the second is this one in Ponteareas. Do you have any more projects in mind?
I have a couple of small projects in mind; one of them is to go with my friend Olaf to the Philippines to make a "sustainable socio-artistic skatepark," if you will. The idea is to go there for a month, immerse ourselves in the country and its culture, and create a skateable sculpture in their first skatepark. That project is almost certainly moving forward; the other is still in its early stages.
Aside from the aesthetic difference compared to a conventional skatepark, does a stone skatepark have any advantages or disadvantages compared to those that aren't?
From my point of view, it's all advantages. Aesthetics; because using stone gives it a sculptural touch and the visual impact is more pleasing. Technical; it has a very powerful pop, grinds easily, and lasts longer.
Thank you very much Adrián for your contribution to skateboarding and thanks for giving us your time!!!
