Front board pop out, one of Cata's (many) signature tricks.

From Valparaíso, Chile, Cata Díaz moved to Europe to skate every damn day and has since become a household name known all around the world. At 26 years old, she’s one of the faces of Nike SB and an inspiration to girls everywhere. You’ve definitely seen her destroy mythical spots out on the streets of Barcelona with style, grace, assertiveness and a femininity that’s captivating.

But today, we’re here to find out what lies deeper within the world of Cata Díaz. What is she, beyond being a skateboarder, and how have recent personal events come to shape her? 

Interview by Letícia Nogueira

Photos by Roger Ferrero

Stretching at the start of another mission around the streets of Barcelona.

Hey Cata! How’s life been? You had a couple hiccups with your health this past year, from having to go through chemotherapy to spraining your ankle. How has that journey been and how are you holding up?

It was way more than just a couple hiccups, I went through a near death experience, which was no fun. However, it taught me lots about life itself. How precious our time is here on earth and how short it is. I had stomach cancer. I went through surgery and chemo. It was the worst time of my life. It also gave me the opportunity to stop and understand that life is a gift, that no matter how caught up we are by work and our routines, we are here for a very short time and we must enjoy it. It’s on us to claim the responsibility of being happy every day. Not only when the things we want come to fruition happen, not only when our dreams come true, not only when we finally get our last trick, interview or part done. Today. Because those things don’t exist yet, but you and the possibility of being happy is here today, waiting to be taken. I know for those who struggle with depression or anxiety, this is really hard to see. I’ve struggled with both for years, but trust me, there’s nothing more important than your life. Life is full of opportunity. If you look for help and put yourself to it, you will see what I'm talking about. I wish that, if you do struggle with any mental disease, you get help to get through it and become able to see that. After I finished the worst part of the treatment, I felt a huge pressure to come back skating as soon as I could. By June 2023, almost a year after, I was back again in Copenhagen Open, trying to pretend nothing had happened. But it did, and I guess if I had only acknowledged that before, maybe I wouldn’t have had to go through my foot injury later on that year. My anxiety made me feel like I needed to be productive, better and to prove myself as a skater. When, in reality, all my sponsors fully understood me and gave me their support to get better in my own time. My mind was too full of fears and insecurities that made me act in a rush and live in survival mode (the reason why I got sick before even) and I ended up getting a very bad sprained ankle - 3 months out right away. I was terrified. It also happened in LA, so I had to travel with it, which was a nightmare. In the meantime, I got to see who all these experiences made me be, to understand this new me and take care of her. Going too fast sometimes doesn’t let us grow or see that we have indeed changed. I was terrified of seeing that. All I can say is that today, I’m glad I changed. I can’t wait to see where this new me takes me. Not only in skating but in my relationships, in my spirit and my life in general.

"I went through a near death experience, which taught me lots about life itself. "

Backside bluntsliiiide.

What ultimate lesson do you take from not being able to skate?

Understanding that skateboarding is something I love, but it is not who I am. After this year of struggles and the injury, I finally understood that skating is something I love with all of my heart and I enjoy it deeply with every cell of my being. But it is not who I am. What I am goes with me everywhere, despite how I skate, where I am or what others might think of me. I used to feel like without skating there was no Cata that had any worth, or that my life was just pointless. Being so close to death made me understand that there’s nothing more important than life. It’s all we have and there’s nothing we do that is better than that.

What have you been up to? Have you had the chance to discover other things besides skateboarding?

I’ve been studying a yoga teacher course and went to the gym lots, so my body would still work once I was able to skate again. I also read lots and lots of sci-fi and fantasy, something that I stopped doing for a long while but I truly enjoy! Yoga has been so helpful on a spiritual and mental level. Also, the whole philosophy is amazing. I did tons of therapy during this period too. 

What’s a hidden talent nobody knows you have?

I’ve read tarot cards since I was young, because my mom taught me. I studied astrology among other spiritual subjects, if you count that as a talent. As well as that, I truly enjoy writing.

 "Skateboarding is something I love, but it is not who I am."

Spot the differences!

How obsessed are you with pop music?

I love this question! Because pop is what is popular. It’s what we all agree to be likeable. It’s something that we all can, currently, as a population, relate to in a way. I love music of all types, but what I truly love about pop music is that, for good or for bad, we all know it. It could be “oh, it’s that annoying song from Tik Tok” to “this song is my guilty pleasure” or, like me, “I love this whole album, it’s amazing, I’m so happy everybody knows this song now.” I love how much it unites us as a culture. How you can walk into a karaoke bar and sing Baby One More Time by Britney and everybody will know it. Also the fact that it’s always stuff that’s easy to relate to, even when it’s stupid or embarrassing. It brings out that part of me that is still a kid that just wants to play, jump around and feel free, creative and allowed to be ridiculous. I have a great time with it, that’s why I usually skate to pop music in my videos on Insta. It’s also something I skate to at my local park or at Macba. Sometimes skating becomes this hella serious environment and, to me, it feels like the exact opposite. It’s the place where I can fall onto the ground, do something weird, learn new things about myself and I get to enjoy each part of it. I like doing that with music that makes me feel silly and funny, or dramatic even.

What’s the story behind you moving to Europe at 18 years old to pursue your dream of becoming a professional skateboarder?

I moved to Europe without knowing I was moving here if i'm completely honest. I came to film a part in 3 months, which is what the tourist visa allows, and then go back to Chile and hopefully to go to university. Instead, I fell in love with Barcelona. I saw so much to do and experience here. I decided to stay. It wasn’t all roses of course. I spent the first 2 years here illegal, with not much going on in my career as a skateboarder. But you know the heart wants what it wants. I kept going and eventually things started to happen, things that brought me where I am today. With all the ups and downs, I couldn’t be more grateful to get to skate everyday and live off of what I love!

Hard work pays off and it’s great to see. In spite of the rough year you’ve had, it was obvious you were working hard and travelling a lot before your injury. 

Yes! I went on a trip with Nike to LA, which was amazing. I was so stoked to be part of it. Also I have been on a couple of trips with Nixon around Europe and hopefully I’ll be involved in more projects with Nike and other brands this year!

If not a pro skater, what would you like to be when you grow up?

I would’ve been a doctor. I actually started my studies and dropped out mid semester to come to Europe. Eventually, I would like to become a sports coach and support other skaters in the pursuit of their dreams, physically and mentally, but there’s also so many other things that can happen along the way.

"It’s on us to claim the responsibility of being happy every day. Not only when the things we want come to fruition happen, not only when our dreams come true. Today."

Sometimes, it takes a near-death experience to realise what life is all about: equal parts light and shadow.

Find this interview and much more, within the pages of Dolores Magazine issue 10.