Brazil, Interviews

Mar 29, 2009

Jonathan Young

22 Comments

Pedro Barros talks with Europeskate

With the majority of skateboarders around the world not having access to vert ramps or even skateparks in their home towns, it’s quite obvious for me that the number of new top vert skaters is going to be a lot less than what we see happening in the street with incredibly talented skaters popping up everywhere.

Some calls have been heard lately that vert skating is fading out, all of the pros are getting older and barely any new blood is showing us that a new generation is coming. Well, that isn’t all true and there still are quite a few talented vert skaters out there. One of them has been showing his skills worldwide and at the young age of 14, he can already put his talent to the test against the top amateurs and pros skaters anywhere.

Who are we talking about? Pedro Barros. Just watching him skate makes me grin because he’s already well on his way to being one of THE top skaters in the next years to come. And what is even better: he took the time to send a bunch of pictures and answer are interview questions. Read up about what Pedro has to say and if you can see him live, do it!

To get this interview started, tell us who you are, where do you come from, which teams you skate for.

Pedro Barros, I come from Rio Tavares, it is a suburb of Florianopolis – an island in the south of Brazil. People know it as a Rio Tavares Mother Fucker R.T.M.F. I ride for Drop Dead, Volcom, Red Bull, Vans, Indy, Evoke, Type-S, Khiro and R.T.M.F.

When did you get started with skateboarding?

Actually since I know myself as a person I have been skateboarding. My dad said that I skate since I was one year old, but I can’t remember.

You belong to the new generation of top (vert) skaters that are pushing the limits. How does it feel to be one of those skaters other skaters look up to at such a young age?

I don’t like much of the idea to be target as a vert skater because I do skate much more bowls then vert, but I love vert too and I love to be in contests with all the guys I know around the world. About the feeling of being a top pro, for me it doesn’t matter if I am the top or not, it’s only good because you get invited to go to some contests in America.

Where do you like to have skate sessions? Any special spots/parks/ramps in the world which you really like?

Rio Tavares Mother Fucker is my favorite ever. I have the Hi Adventure Bowl where I skate, my back yard vert ramp and the new bowl all in the same area. I love to skate with friends anywhere. In California I like the Combi Pool, Chickens pool, Runs Pool and Bobs house. In Brazil I like also the vert in the Roca bowl and Swell.

Which skaters do you like to session with? Do you have any skaters you think are just great?

My local boys here are who I skate with most of the time. Rodolfo Ramos, Wagner Ramos, Leo Kakinho, Mureta, Mad, Kosake and others. Besides these guys normally when I travel I love to be skating with Lincoln Ueda, Nilton Neves, Bob Burnquist, Danny Way, Jimmy (california local guy), Jordan Price – there are many that it’s hard to remember all of them. Jake Phelps (Thrasher Magazine) is fun to be around, he always makes me do something different.

How did you get started with riding the Mega-Ramps? Can you describe the feeling you get riding down the big ramp, jumping the space between the ramps and then blasting out on the big halfpipe? It must be mad!

Bob is the Guy. He showed me the way to do it, he permitted me to do it. I’m glad because it is the most scary shit of my life!!!! I always think that I can die on that shit, but when I finish the session I feel great! (Europeskate comment: Good to hear that the skaters that actually have the guts to skate this monster of a ramp are impressed by it as well!!)

So what is your favorite trick (any terrain)? And are you working on learning something new?

540s are my favorite, but I want to do them all. Every trick is sick.

Do you feel any pressure skating at such at high level, traveling and skating for sponsors?

Not at all. For me it is all like playing a game. It is always fun. My dad is the one getting more pressure, he is the one dealing with the sponsors and the traveling shit. All I do is have fun.

As so many videos are out there and many being released, will we be seeing you in any new videos coming out soon?

I don’t know. I do a lot of things here in Brazil, but out there in America where the most videos are, I didn’t have time yet to be on one of these.

Do you have any favorite skate video parts that you like to watch?

Any think with Runnie (Rune Glifberg) and Bob is crazy to watch.

Tell us how a typical day in the life of Pedro Barros looks like!

hehhehehehhee, surf in the morning, school in the afternoon, skate after skate and be around my friends and family every single day.

What are your plans for the rest of 2009?

Pro Tec Pool Party, Europe, Maloof Money Cup, X Games and some of these big contests that we have here in Brazil.

That’s a wrap. Big big thank you to Pedro Barros and his dad Andre for this interview. Keep it up Pedro, it’s just great to see so much talent and style on a board. All the best for the future and we really hope to meet up some time soon in Europe!

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22 Comments

• 
  Mark March 29, 2009 at 11:57 pm

  What the Fuck!!!!!
• 
  Troy Rae Yarrall March 30, 2009 at 12:30 am

  Yea Mutha Fuka,,,
  Go hard Pedro, Would be awsum to see you here in New Zealand!!
• 
  FILOZERA March 30, 2009 at 7:01 pm

  PEDROOOOOOOOOCA QUEBRA TUUUUDO MULEEESK
• 
  alemao March 30, 2009 at 10:55 pm

  e isso ai pedrinho mostra que o vert esta vivo !!!!
• 
  Paul March 30, 2009 at 10:59 pm

  Pedro rips – nuff said. He will be sponsored soon by a well known US sk8 company.
• 
  CLAY March 31, 2009 at 2:51 am

  PEDRO..WORLD CHAMPION…
• 
  Allan Mesquita March 31, 2009 at 2:55 am

  Pedro Barros, this is the iron boy. É o orgulho dos skaters brasileiros, go Pedro. Que Deus continue iluminando seu caminhos para que possa trazer muitas alegrias para nós, seus admiradores e fãs. SKATE POR TODA VIDA!!!
• 
  Dude March 31, 2009 at 3:06 am

  This dude is f. crazy!!!!! were are you now little boy? Brazil, US, Europe,…
• 
  MARI March 31, 2009 at 3:17 am

  E ISSO AI PEDRINHO ,IM SO PROUD OF YOU ,LOVE YOU .
• 
  Felpss March 31, 2009 at 4:17 pm

  Pedrinho is the guy to watch out for the next years! If you have seen him sk8, you know what I am talking about.
  Keep up that mellow vibe of yours and the nice style on the board!!!
• 
  Leopoldina Barros March 31, 2009 at 4:33 pm

  Pedro Barros, you are fantastic. Have all my admiration and
  I love Grandma
• 
  Leopoldina Barros March 31, 2009 at 4:35 pm

  Pedro Barros, you are fantastic. Has all my admiration and
  my love, Grandma
• 
  Geral April 1, 2009 at 12:34 am

  Pedro I saw you few times skating at the combi. Miss you there!!!!
• 
  costa mesa muh fuh April 1, 2009 at 8:54 am

  Sick stuff Pedro, sick! Looking forward to seeing you guys in California.
• 
  carmem April 2, 2009 at 1:34 am

  PEDRINHO, PARABÉNS VC É D ++++++ !!!
• 
  Nando Tassara April 3, 2009 at 8:48 pm

  Genio.
  É como definimos o Pedro aqui em Guaratinguetá.
  Sua humildade e potencial até comove.
  Em minha vida de skatista ( já são 36 anos)pela primeira vez literalmente derrubei algumas lágrimas após um rolê de aquecimento no gás festival.
  E olha que eu tinha acabado de “dar uma dura” nele, pois estava rolando a reunão com os competidores antes do campeonato e só faltava ele.
  Ele pediu para dar mais uma volta e soltou uma rotina perfeita.
  Para quem sempre acompanhou o esporte, viveu todas as fases, sabe das dificuldades de aprender manobras, saber que o mercado aqui no Brasil trata, no geral, tão mau seus mais importantes divulgadores ,e, enfim conhece as dificuldades que estes garotos enfrentam..
  Vi uma luz no fim do tunel, pois sei que o nível do Pedrinho aliado com o poder administrativo e visão empresarial do seu pai (André)irá “puxar” toda a categoria amadora para frente.
  Isso emociona,pois sei que vamos ser bem representados durante muito tempo ainda!!!
  Força Pedrinho!!!
• 
  mari barros April 4, 2009 at 3:50 am

  oooooh shit, i really thought that I was going to be the famous one in our familiy…just kidding. you are really great dude, makes me proud, love you
• 
  fabio sleiman April 5, 2009 at 5:34 pm

  ele tem um talento fora do comum , gente boa e ja fizemos roles juntos na California .

  he has a good talent .

  sucesso irmao .

  Fabio Sleiman ( BRAZIL )
• 
  Markin Garden Groove April 9, 2009 at 7:18 pm

  Pedro Barros é skate por amor, humildade, agressividade no role com muito estilo !! e amizadee … é isso ai parabens pedrinho
• Vans Combi Pool 2009 results | Europeskate.com May 18, 2009 at 11:41 am

  [...] see Pedro Barros making it all the way to 4th place, like I said in the interview I did with him (click here to read it) he’s going to be one of the THE skaters to follow in the future! All the results are right [...]
• EUROPESKATE.COM » Pedro Barros on Pocket Pistol Skates October 29, 2009 at 12:34 pm

  [...] to see good things coming to good people. Pedro Barros (interview with Europeskate right here) has proven in the last months that he is a skater to reckon with and that at the young age of [...]
• Oakley Bowl-A-Rama 2010 Filmed By Stikman Films | EUROPESKATE February 22, 2010 at 9:39 am

  [...] And once again a big word up to Pedro Barros for his two wins in a row – I contacted him just yesterday and he’s such a down to earth guy, he’s once again willing to answer my questions after last year’s interview (check out the interview here!) [...]