Fabiana Delfino is a name that resonates with authenticity in the skateboarding world. While the term “street skater” might be overused, it perfectly embodies Fabiana’s dedication and approach to the sport. In a landscape where women’s skateboarding is rapidly evolving, Fabiana stands out for her unwavering focus on street skating, a path less traveled by many of her peers. She prioritizes filming full video parts, echoing the styles of legends like Alexis Sablone and Elissa Steamer, and isn’t shy about expressing her opinions. This interview delves into Fabiana’s perspective on the current state of skateboarding, her experiences, and her hopes for the future of women in the sport.
Fabiana Delfino portrait in NYC
Fabiana’s dedication to street skateboarding is a refreshing contrast to the growing trend of women focusing on skateparks, fashion influencing, or competitive events. Her focus on filming video parts showcases her commitment to the core values of skateboarding, a path previously paved by influential figures like Alexis Sablone and Elissa Steamer. She isn’t afraid to voice her opinions, a rarity among young skaters often swayed by online trends. This unique blend of skill, passion, and outspokenness sets Fabiana apart, making her a compelling figure in the skateboarding community.
When asked about her participation in a Macy’s commercial, Fabiana candidly admits that it felt “wack.” However, she acknowledges the financial benefits, which allowed her to reinvest in her skateboarding and fund future trips. She emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing her needs, stating, “Until I see some contracts coming in or something, I’m going to have to do what I have to do to pay those bills.” This pragmatism highlights the challenges faced by professional skateboarders and Fabiana’s willingness to navigate them.
Fabiana also addresses the issue of some women gaining attention and sponsorships through social media despite lacking advanced skills. While admitting past frustration stemming from jealousy, she now focuses on her own path, stating, “The attention that some of them are getting is attention that I wouldn’t even want.” She values keeping a low profile and doing her own thing, acknowledging that others may feel differently. She raises a valid point about the attention given to less skilled skaters, questioning why those with basic skills but strong social media presence gain more traction than skaters with impressive skills like Nora Vasconcellos or Nicole Hause. This observation highlights the complexities of the modern skateboarding landscape and its relationship with online platforms.
Fabiana Delfino performing a switch pivot fakie on a steep bank
Fabiana points out the two main factions in women’s skating: the fashion-centric influencers and the skaters with solid video parts and magazine features. She notes that the popularity of the “fashion” skaters reflects the broader trends within the skateboarding industry and the general public. She observes, “The real attention should be on why so many people are drawn to a girl in short shorts that can shove-it rather than someone like Nora or Nicole.” This reflection underscores the power of social media and the varying values within the skateboarding community. She also recognizes that those who are just curious about skateboarding may be more drawn to skaters who appear “cool” rather than those who are exceptionally skilled.
Fabiana also acknowledges how the rise of social media, particularly Instagram, has influenced the skateboarding world. She states that if she had grown up in today’s environment, she might have become a different skater or perhaps even quit. The constant accessibility to online content significantly impacts the choices and focus of young skaters. She admits not having watched The Skate Kitchen, a movie about female skaters, because she fears it will be “wack”. She feels the movie might be a misrepresentation of the skateboarding community.
Fabiana Delfino doing a wallie back tail slide
Fabiana shares her experiences growing up skating mostly with guys or by herself, as there were very few girls in her area. Even now, she often has to travel to skate with other girls. When on skate trips with Santa Cruz, she usually gets her own room, but she emphasizes that it is not a necessity and she is willing to “take one for the team”. She humorously suggests that having a girl on a skate trip might encourage the guys to be a bit tidier and more respectful. This anecdote provides a glimpse into the dynamics of skate trips and the evolving role of women in these environments.
Fabiana Delfino performing a bigspin
Reflecting on her trip to the Middle East with Vans, Fabiana was impressed with Dubai, despite not getting to ride a camel or see a shark tank in her hotel. She experienced a culture shock but found the locals accepting of tourists, even though they were curious about a female skateboarder. She also discusses the strict laws surrounding alcohol and drugs in the region, highlighting the need to be cautious.
Fabiana’s experiences teaching skate camps have provided her with insight into the perspectives of young skaters today. She observes that they are heavily influenced by vloggers and YouTube skaters, often recognizing them more than top pros. She notes their interest in subscription boxes and online content, contrasting with her own approach to skateboarding. This contrast reveals the changing landscape of how young people engage with skateboarding and its culture.
Fabiana Delfino performing a kickflip pivot on a steep bank
Fabiana emphasizes the importance of focusing on personal growth and the true essence of skateboarding, rather than seeking validation from social media. She urges young skaters to do things for themselves rather than for the attention of others, a message that transcends skateboarding and applies to life in general. She hopes that skateboarding will move away from this reliance on external validation. She also believes that the rise of women’s skateboarding is very important to the sport, as women are skating for the pure love of it. She considers it to be a “punk rock” movement that has very pure intentions.
Fabiana Delfino doing a 5050 grind
Fabiana shares that security guards are generally respectful towards her and don’t get physically aggressive when asking her to leave skate spots. She attributes this to them being less intimidated by a female skater. She prefers to be respectful to them because they’re just doing their jobs.
Fabiana has never had a gun drawn on her while skateboarding, despite some of the more extreme aspects of Florida’s culture. She does not like arguing with security guards because no clip is worth getting arrested or hurt. She also jokes about why Florida has so many strange incidents happening, attributing it to being a melting pot of different people.
Fabiana Delfino portrait in NYC
Discussing the possibility of joining the Olympics, Fabiana acknowledges the point system but notes that the US team doesn’t have an organized roster yet, unlike other countries. While she’s open to participating in qualifiers, she won’t be upset if she doesn’t make the cut. She believes that the US is behind other countries in terms of organization. She names other female skaters like Mariah Duran, Jenn Soto, Nicole Hause, Nora Vasconcellos, and Grace Marhoefer as likely US representatives. She acknowledges that it’s a special opportunity for women to be on such a big stage, and the women in contests now are being well represented.
Fabiana Delfino performing a frontside rock in a ditch
Fabiana believes the next step in progressing women’s skateboarding is pushing women towards the streets and filming video parts. She’s noticing more women expressing the desire to film. She mentions Shari White, a fellow skater, who is working on an all-female skate video. Fabiana understands it’s hard for anyone to make a living off skateboarding, especially as a woman.
She does not foresee women’s skating becoming more popular than men’s skateboarding. While there is some crossover audience, she believes that not many men enjoy watching women skateboard. She compares it to tennis, where organizers focus on making money and the audience gravitates towards the most popular players. Fabiana believes that the skateboarding industry and the money surrounding it are very different.
When asked if she would date someone who skates, Fabiana states she has never done so, but she is open to it, as long as they don’t “snake” her on a skate session. She finds it cute and has an interest in a little skate date.
In conclusion, Fabiana Delfino is a unique voice in women’s skateboarding, with a dedication to street skating, unfiltered opinions, and a genuine love for the sport. Her perspective offers a valuable insight into the present landscape of skateboarding and her hopes for its future. Her focus on authenticity and personal growth serves as an inspiration for all skateboarders.
