Team SkatePro Q&A: Daniela Terol
Welcome to the 8th episode of our series of interviews with our team riders! We continue with another super-young, super-talented skateboarder: Daniela Terol. Only 14 years old, Daniela is already slaying at international competitions. She feels confident in both park and street, which makes her a fantastic all-around skater. We couldn’t be happier to have her on our team - Daniela is of inspiration to us all, not only because of her skills but also because she is one of the most empathetic people we know.
Daniela told us she started skating by chance: “My father wanted me to be a surfer, but I had other plans. One day I took his old skateboard: he could see I was progressing very quickly, so I started competing and I can say it went on quite well!”.
We can safely say it went on great, and that’s why this Q&A is so special!
Q: How did you find out about SkatePro, and what do you like the most about being a SkatePro team rider?
A: Sebastian Hofbauer [another SkatePro team rider, ed.] discovered me! I was very young, about 7 years old, and he noticed me, so he helped me get a sponsorship. I think he really likes the style of my reels on Instagram - Thanks again Sebastian for helping me!
Q: Do you have a favorite skatepark?
A: La Poma has been my favorite skatepark in the past, but now there are many places I like: La Bòbila in Badalona, many DIY parks around Spain, and of course tons of street spots.
Q: What is your best advice for young riders who want to become pro skaters??
A: My advice would be: don't try to be a professional skater!! Skate for fun, work honestly, be humble both on and off the track, and be disciplined. If you have talent, everything will happen naturally. Many parents become obsessed! They put stickers of the sponsors all over their kids, and this used to bother me a bit. Now I know more about how it works, so I understand the reason why. But for me, skateboarding always comes first.?
Q: Do you have any tips to cope with pressure during competitions?
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A: Pressure is not a big issue. My father taught me to train at my best: when I know what I’m capable of, I have already won. A competition is only a moment, you can fail or not in half a second and that will not make you fail or succeed in the rest of your projects! If you keep on fighting, then you will succeed. The difficult thing is coping with everyday life: cold weather, heat waves, injuries, exams… But even in these situations, you have to get up and keep moving forward, whether you like it or not! That is what makes the difference and allows me to win: I never give up.
Q: Do you feel alone, at times, in your skateboarding career?
A: No, I'm very grateful to have a lot of supportive people around me: my father, but also my sister, my mother, my grandma, my aunt, my physiotherapist, my technical coach… We’re a big team! One of them leaves, and I’m in trouble!
Q: You are based in Barcelona, one of the skate meccas in Europe: why do you think this city gained this status? What’s special about it and its skating community that other cities don’t (but should) have?
A: Barcelona, my city, is basically a skatepark itself designed by Antoni Gaudí, one of the great geniuses of the 20th century. The Mediterranean Sea, excellent culinary culture, good weather, and friendly people make it unique. I am lucky to be part of this city that I love so much!!
Q: In a recent interview, you said skating is your way to disconnect from the world: why is it?
A: Social networks, video games, platforms where you can watch a series of 10 episodes in one afternoon…they’re all ways to escape reality. But I prefer skateboarding: it is hard, it is real, you laugh with real friends face to face with them, not online, you cry when It really hurts, you get frustrated when you try to overcome your limits, and when you do you feel truly happy. It really is something empowering.
The emotions elicited by action sports are definitely unique: you can really go through the whole spectrum of human feelings by just attempting a basic trick. And Daniela gave us a clear picture of how this can change your life by giving you coping skills and allowing you to see the big picture. Just wear the right protective gear, and you’re ready to shift perspective!
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