About Vitoria Mendonça
Age: 23
Hometown: Rio De Janeiro
Sponsors: Element, Adidas, Ace Trucks, Bones, Sigilo
Vitoria Mendonça is an iconic female skater from from Rio who now calls São Paulo home. But in reality she is rarely in one place. For the past few years, Vitoria has begun to take the skateboarding world by storm putting out some of the smoothest and most consistently stylish skating you can see today.
Her endless supply of positivity helped to not only push her to put together an incredibly solid part for Element’s E.S.P. vol 2, that energy was passed on to the rest of the team, session after session. Known for her beaming smile, flawless heelflips and a vibe all her own, her mission to push for women's equality and human rights via her international platform is what really sets her apart.
After skating for Element since she was 16 and with everything she has achieved, Element knew it was the perfect time to officially turn Vitoria pro. Not only does Vitoria deserve this, but skateboarding needs more pros and role models like Vitoria.
Check out styles of the Vitoria Pro Collection:
Interview with Vitoria Mendonça for Blue Tomato
by Patrick Harrington
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from and where do you live now?
A: My name is Vitória Mendonça, I'm 23 years old, and I'm from Campo Grande - Rio de Janeiro, but I've been living in São Paulo for 5 years. When I'm not skateboarding, I enjoy spending time with my friends, singing, and playing the guitar.
Q: When did skating come into your life and how?
A: When I was around 7 years old, I used to play in a park near my mother's house in the neighborhood where I grew up. I played soccer, ran around, and was a very active child... And in that park, there was a mini ramp where people were always skateboarding, and I enjoyed running on that mini ramp, sliding down with a plastic soda bottle, which would sometimes bother those who were skateboarding. Because I was causing that the boys told me to come with sneakers, and they would teach me. So, I started going to the park not only to play but also to skateboard. Then after a year, on my 8th birthday my mother gave me my first skateboard.
Q: As a girl growing up and skating in Brazil, were there certain barriers that made it difficult in regards to skating or anything else in life? Or was your community quite open and supportive?
A: When I started, I faced a lot of prejudice in the neighborhood, even as a 7-year-old child. When I would pass by on my skateboard, people would say that skateboarding was for boys, and I remember that it made me very sad. But nowadays, I see that things are improving, and people are realizing that there are no gender limitations. Women can skateboard too, and we can do whatever we want!
Q: Aside from filming video parts and doing contests etc… what would you really like to achieve with your skating, for you personally and for society as a whole?
A: I want to continue skateboarding happily. I want to see more and more women/black women becoming professionals in skateboarding as well. I want a world without violence, and I want to do something for the neighborhood where I grew up. I have many dreams.
Q: You have been traveling a lot lately, where are you now and what is next for you?
A: Right now, I'm on a bus leaving Rio de Janeiro heading home to São Paulo. I spent Mother's Day with my mom. And now I'm going on a trip with Element to Portland, Oregon and then to the Copenhagen Open.
Q: What was your favorite trick you filmed for the Element Video E.S.P vol. 2?
A: The Heelflip to Firecracker in NYC was the most different for me because it isn’t really a trick that I usually to do, you know? And, it was crazy when I landed the trick. I was so happy, especially with all the homies there.
Q: Finally, how do you feel about becoming pro for Element?
A: When I was a kid, it was my dream to be a professional skateboarder and now it's happening. And doing it with Element… for me, Element is one of the best brands, you know? I grew up skating Element boards so it's a big thing to happen in my life. And the entire team with all the homies is so cool, so I think it's the best thing happening in my life right now.
Check out more Element Styles here.
