Paul ‘P-Rod’ Rodriguez Skateboards Across the World in ‘We are Blood’
Skateboarding star Paul Rodriguez, also known as P-Rod, on the Dew Tour. (Photo: Mountain Dew)
When Paul Rodriguez was 11, all he wanted for Christmas was a skateboard. “I was going to a new school and saw some kids skating and was completely fascinated by it from that point on,” Rodriguez says. Santa delivered and immediately his life was completely consumed by the sport.
Fast-forward 19 years. The now 30-year-old professional skateboarder has earned eight X Games medals — four of which are gold. But the boarder’s proudest career accomplishment doesn’t hang from his neck. His top achievement was being named one of TransWorld Skateboarding magazine’s most influential skaters. “I got to this point by just loving what I do and doing it relentlessly,” he says.
Rodriguez, also known as “P-Rod” has traveled the world to perform and practice. His favorite place so far has been Dubai. “We had insane access to the city that you normally wouldn’t be able to obtain,” says Rodriguez. “We got to skate wherever we wanted.”
Like many athletes that participate in extreme sports, injuries are part of the gig. Rodriquez says keeping a positive mind regardless, is the key. “I’ve been very fortunate and haven’t had anything too severe — just a couple sprains, bumps, bruises, standard wear-and-tear thankfully,” he says.
P-Rod has been skateboarding since he received his first board at 11 years of age. (Photo: Instagram)
Among setbacks and triumphs, the skateboarder shares a special tie with those who are involved in the sport. “I wouldn’t have likely bonded with many of the people I know today if it weren’t for skateboarding,” he admits. “I can’t even imagine what my path would have been like without it. I have friends who are 14 and ones that are 44.”
The relationship between boarders – regardless of age, race, background or gender – is shown in the documentary We are Blood, which was released on iTunes this month and stars Rodriguez. “I was approached by [Director] Ty Evans who I have known for quite a while. One day he called me up and said he was working on an idea for a skate film and asked me if I would like to go in on it with him,” says Rodriguez. “From there, we approached Mountain Dew to see if they wanted to get involved. They have been a partner of mine for a long time, and fortunately, they were excited about the opportunity.”
Within the feature-length film, Rodriguez travels the globe (to China, Dubai, Spain, Brazil, and across the United States) with other top and up-and-coming skateboarders like Tiago Lemos, Chase Webb and Jordan Maxham. Over the course of two years, it shows them creating new friendships and taking in foreign cultures.
Regardless of his location, or performance, Rodriguez’s grooming regimen remained the same. “I keep it simple. I bring my electric shaver with me and typically let my hair do whatever it wants,” he says.
Rodriguez’s favorite part of filming was the actual skateboarding (no surprise there), but he wants viewers to take away more than that. “I want people to feel inspired and motivated, even if they aren’t skateboarders,” he says of the documentary. “I want them to feel passionate about whatever their dream is.”
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