SK8HOP
Skateshop (Puerto Rico)
‘We just shape the shop to our lifestyle.’
Fico Rodriguez
Co-Owner
SK8HOP
December 2023
Tell us something about Puerto Rico people do not know?
In Puerto Rico it’s always summer; even though there’s a lot of rain, temperature is always tropical.
What triggered the idea to open up a skate shop in Puerto Rico?
It has always been a dream of mine. While I was working for other shops, I always imagined having my own. Life connected me with pro skater Manny Santiago and a friendship started. In 2012 we decided to open a distribution company and 2 years later in 2014 we opened up SK8HOP.
Is there anything different with your skate shop to the ones you worked for in the past?
We recently added a section to the shop in which we sell dirtbikes and motorcycle accesories. We also sell a bunch of cool accessories like machetes for those who like to adventure, sometimes we carry
hammocks, beach related stuff and whatever we are into. We just shape the shop to our lifestyle.
What are some of the main challenges you guys face running the skate shop?
Government fees, taxes, corruption and bad administration have made a lot of people leave the island and that hurts the economy bad. Some skate shops in the US sell more boards to girls than boys.
How is it with you guys?
We still sell more boards to boys but the girl skate community is growing fast. In the past couple of years girl divisions have been added to the contests.
What board companies do you currently work with?
We carry many brands, from old school shapes like Powell Peralta to Primitive, April, Palace, Real (and more), local brands and our own decks.
If you could pick any board company, which one would you like to carry in your shop as well and why?
I always skate our shop boards they are as good as the main companies ones. Other than that I like Primitive and we carry them in the shop, their team is like a dream team.
‘Life connected me with pro skater Manny Santiago and a friendship started.’
Assuming you also have team riders. If you could sign up one skater, who would it be and why?
Gabi Lavallee, he has been killing it not only here when he comes to PR but also in all the contests he’s going to in the USA.
What is the local skateboard scene like in PR?
There’s a big community. Huracán Maria made a lot of people move to the USA. There are still skaters here and a lot of the skaters that live in the USA now, come for the big events in the island. There’s also a new wave of kids coming up so we’ll see. Future looks bright!
What are some of the talents that are making a name for themselves?
Xava Maldonado, Rio Batan, Felipe Pagan, Derek Natal, Wisyn Morales, Jomar Ortiz and a lot more those are just a few.
In your opinion, who is the ultimate godfather of the PR skate community and why?
I can’t really choose one cause there is a lot of people who has helped build and keep building for skateboarding. There’s multiple godfathers in the island.
Which one comes to your mind right now?
Robert Lopez
Last question. If you could interview any person in the world, who would it be and why?
I would sit down and have a conversation with Paul Rodriguez, his skating has always been one of my favorites.
‘There’s also a new wave of kids coming up so we’ll see. Future looks bright!’
