This week we are featuring Matilde Vedove who is Italian and lives in Barcelona. We love the way Matilde inspires other women to skate and creates a positive environment for others. We first met her through our friend Jade, founder of Babes n Boards, and have been excited to see her endeavors with women in skateboarding unfold in Europe. She shares with us what she loves about skateboarding and the impact it has on others, the camps she runs in Barcelona, and how she created a healthy lifestyle for herself through skateboarding. Enjoy!
When did you start skateboarding and how did you get involved?
My first time on a skate dates back two years and thinking about how heavy my legs were makes me smile! After suffering an ankle fracture due to snowboarding I was stuck because I was afraid. It was thanks to who later became my boyfriend, Jonathan, that I really learnt to face that fear and push myself to get into this world.
What do you love most about living in Barcelona?
The energy of the sun even during winter season, having the seaside so close to the house, the people who smile and always greet everyone... and obviously Barcelona is the European capital of skateboarding, no need to add more to it!
Here, skateboarding is not seen just as a sport or hobby, but also as a real lifestyle... And the urban structure of the city seems to fit perfectly with it: there are many bike paths that run through the city where you can go with the skateboard so since I moved here I've no longer used the car, I just push it!
Tell us about the skate camps you are running…
Well, let's say that it all started because I was driven by the desire to meet other girls in this new city. I met Jade (founder of Babes n Boards) about a year ago after a few month of health struggles, but thanks to her support I organized the first Babesnboards meetup in Barcelona.
From there moment, things have been evolving at the speed of light... until the offical "birth" of Babesnskate, an event and skateboarding camp organizer for women only.
The first one was in May and for me it was incredible.. the camp is not only to learn how to skate, but also a place where you can share your days with women, be outdoors, laugh, learn about other people and chat with them. It’s a regenerating offline experience.
Being a woman in a world that wants us always to be perfect, isn't easy. During these camps the beauty of women lies in the freedom of being themselves without filters, without masks... women can just grow their desire to get involved, feel free and be so.
linktr.ee/babesnskate is the link from which you can find everything about us: social, press and all about the camps... past and future ones!
Next dates: November 8-9-10th
November 29-30th December 1st
Who or what constantly inspires you?
WOMEN. The women of my life, my grandmother, my mother, my sister ... and every woman around me. They are pure energy and the #girlpower really exists!
How does skateboarding make you feel?
Free. When I push myself along the seaside path, I like to feel the wind coming at me and it's one of the few moments in life where I can really feel my body and its potential, the balance, both physical and mental.
What is something courageous you have done that you're proud of?
The after graduation was not an easy time for me... despite a degree I could not find a job, I was dating a narcissistic boy... I couldn't feel up to the tasks of life and I completely lost my faith in myself. I became a body that was afraid of experiencing its emotions.
I found the courage to say "that's enough" to get out of a sick loop that made me feel stuck in that pain.
I still fight that fear, but I am proud of being able to face it and go back in the game, starting with myself.
Skating has been a nice boost for self-esteem, which is also why I think many women should have the chance to learn it!
Tell us about the progression of female skateboarding in Spain.
In Spain skateboarding spread in the 1990s and Barcelona was between the first cities to welcome this sport with open arms.
Thanks to the openminded culture of the country and the numerous skate parks, many girls have therefore had the chance to get to know and be familiar with this world since an early age.
Here in Barcelona the performance level of women's skate is pretty high, with girls like Daniela Terol who at 11 years old has already competed national and international contests.
However, there are just as many (and more) women in Europe who would like to learn to skate, who are intrigued by this lifestyle, but fear trying and failing…mostly if they are alone.
Our camps are born, in fact, to fill this gap, to create a space that makes every woman feel at ease to learn, without any competition or pressure.
I consider myself lucky to have met Jonathan, who taught me, always making me feel able to achieve everything... so I decide to share my "luck" with all the girls in Europe who haven't yet had a point of reference in this world.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Matilde. To learn more check out @babesnboards and @babesnskate_bcn on instagram.