All About Nuances: An Interview with Marina Correia

The first Black woman to win the world longboard dancing* championship!
Following appearances on France 3, TV5 Monde, and 20 Minutes, Marina Correia granted us an interview to talk about this sport—which is little known to the general public—as well as her career journey.

 

For Nuhanciam, in keeping with our values, this means honoring Black women who can inspire us and providing them with a platform that allows them to be more visible.

 

We hope that, like us, you'll be captivated by Marina Correia's portrait!

 

1. Could you introduce yourself in a few words?

 

My name is Marina Correia, I'm 23 years old, I'm from Cape Verde and Brazil, and I'm the reigning 2020 world champion in freestyle longboard dancing. 

 

2. How did you get into longboarding?

 

I started in 2016—toward the end of 9th grade and the beginning of high school—thanks to my curiosity. I saw two friends doing it and it piqued my interest; I wanted to try it and loved it right away. So, I asked my dad to buy me a board, and back then he bought me what’s called a cruiser (a board made for cruising around). 

 

Here’s a little story: I started out with this little board, and in middle school, a classmate climbed on it and sent it flying onto the road, where a car broke it in half. So that was a sad moment—I didn’t have anything left to ride. That’s when a friend of mine lent me his board—my very first longboard—and from that day on, I started riding all the time.

 

And about a year later, I was sponsored by the American brand Sector 9, and I stayed with them for four years.
Today, my new sponsor is the Korean brand 1Love Sk8.

 

3. Can you tell us about the record you just set?

 

First, participants had to post a one-minute, unedited video—known as a “line”—on Instagram with the hashtag #onlinesycld. After that, the judges selected participants from different categories to advance to the finals.  

 

Next, once the finalists had been selected, they had to create a one-minute video—unedited—and email it to the judges. 

 

So I was selected for the finals, and I also won the title of 2020 World Champion in freestyle longboard dancing. 

 

There are days when I want to learn a new trick, so I'll keep at it, fall down, get back up, and try again

 

4.World champion—what a title, and what pressure for the future! How are you preparing for your next goals?

 

When it comes to my training, it depends on my mood and what I feel like doing.
Some days I want to learn a new trick, so I’ll push myself, fall, get back up, and try again—sometimes I even give up.
Sometimes, I’ll just try to learn something else entirely before coming back to it.
But there are days when I just want to “chill” with friends, take it easy, and have a casual, no-stress session. That can lead to some great results, too! 

 

5. How do you feel about being the first Black woman to win this title?

 

As a young Black woman, it was a source of pride and a tremendous personal victory, but it was also a victory for all those who are underrepresented, who aren’t given the recognition they deserve in this sport, who don’t fit the stereotypes—and especially a victory for all the little girls and women who identify with me. 

 

6. What is your definition of beauty?

 

Beauty is subjective. Everyone sees things the way they want to. These days, trying to give a concrete definition doesn't really make sense. I find beauty in all the things and people I find positive. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

 

Since I'm of Cape Verdean and Brazilian descent, I don't really see myself reflected in today's beauty standards.

 

7. Do you see yourself reflected in current standards?

 

Not really. In my opinion, current beauty standards tend to focus on white European women. Since I’m of Cape Verdean and Brazilian descent, I don’t really see myself reflected in them.  

 

8. How do you take care of your skin on a daily basis?

 

I've never had any skin problems, so I've never really needed a daily skincare routine.

 

I simply wash my face with soap (usually the one I use every day) and moisturize with cream. 

 

7. What's coming up next for you?

 

I have a lot of interviews, features, and articles coming out soon, plus lots of other great things in my sport. The best is yet to come :)

 

*What is longboard dancing? : A discipline sometimes called "sidewalking." Inspired by surfing, participants perform steps, spins, and sequences while riding.

 

 

 

Thanks to Marina Correia for her answers, and see you soon for the next issue! You can check out her latest updates and longboard dancing videos on her Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/fenty_af/)