Photos by Pedro Taborda and Cristina Inácio
Arthur “King” Costa is a 36-year old skimboarder from Caparica, Portugal. He has been skimboarding since he was 12-years old and regularly skims the Caparica, São João and CDS beaches in Portugal.
Arthur also runs the Facebook page “FreeSkimMag”, which everyone should checkout.
Who do you skim with?
With anyone who will join me at my favorite beaches at Caparica. We have a small country and I have the opportunity to skim with all the best skimmers of Portugal in Caparica and in other great spots link São Pedro, Sesimbra, Santa Cruz, Ericeira, Espinho, Faro. I´m not going to say names, because we have a lot of good skimmers.
What is your favorite skim spot?
Caparica, São João and CDS beaches
Where have you traveled to skimboard?
All over Portugal and Spain.
Where do you want to travel to skim?
Sununga Beach, Brasil
Laguna Beach, California
Cabo, Mexico
What board(s) do you ride?
It´s a Promodel “King Arthur” design by Folha my main sponsor.
Do you wave skim? Flatland? Both?
Both.
Do you compete?
Yes.
If so, what competitions have you competed in?
Since 1991 I have competed in several competitions. In a more substantial way, I have participated in the last five Oficial National Championships. I have participated too in Santa Cruz Ocean Spirit, and other small competitions like Skimbarrinha, Circuito Folha, Caparica Skim and Circuito SCS.
And what are some of your contest highlights?
I have a permanent top-ten qualification in the official National Championship in the last 5 years and in my best year I took 4th place. I did win two Masters Competition in Santa Cruz Ocean Spirit also.
Do you have any sponsors? What companies?
Folha Skimboards, Black Vodka Rodanov and Surfers Store.
What other board sports do you partake in?
Skate.
Where do you see the skimboarding going in the future?
Well, that is a tricky question because I have been with the sport for so long and have seen different scenarios over the years. For me, there is a great future to the sport, and I am playing my part trying to take it to the next level (in Portugal of course).
Since my initial years I always think that this is a lifestyle, not a sport or a competition. So, If it doesn’t evolute in a institutional way, I will always have my board, my friends and my favorite spots to go around.
What riders influenced your skimboarding?
Bill Bryan, George Bryan, Jeff Gomez and Brad Evers and Miguel Rato.
What riders are pushing the sport right now?
Hugo Santos, Afonso Ruiz, Simão Pinto, Mega, Rafael Santos…in Portugal.
Blair Concklin, Morgan Just, Sam Stinnet and Brad Domke globally.
If you were stranded on a desert island that already has a plentiful resource of skimboards what three things would you bring?
My wife, daughter and son.
What makes you happy?
My wife, daughter and son and a skimboard.
If everyone rode a skimboard would the world be a better place?
Well, I don’t know…there will be for sure less spots to hang around…but of course everyone will be much more happier.
What skimboarding goals do you have?
Skim until my 80’s…
What is your favorite skimboarding trick?
I like the classic tube sensation…so maybe that is my favorite “trick”.
Last words? Shout outs?
Be has happy has you can, and believe in your skills and value all the time.
You can rule the world if you believe it..and wen you do, make sure you always watch around and spread the happiness and good vibes to everyone.
