Words by Letícia Nogueira

Photos by Roger Ferrero and Raisa Abal

Javi and Diana both come from Chile and have recently ended up in Europe, more specifically, Barcelona, as you’ll probably assume when you see these photos of them shredding the city. They’re both fierce rippers with lovely personalities and style and attitude for miles. Besides skateboarding, they have their own projects they dedicate their lives to - just keep reading and you’ll find out.

With this interview, we really wanted to showcase the things that make them unique - but also bring out the things they have in common, having come all the way from the other side of the world to the skate mecca, looking for better opportunities in life. So we talked a lot about their immigration journeys, and what makes moving to a different country scary and difficult, but still completely worth it.

This one goes out to the worldwide Latino and immigrant communities - in Javi’s and Diana’s words, Latinos have always been warriors, so let’s have hope and support each other. After all, we are all immigrants!

Introduce yourselves to the people who don’t know you! Where do you come from in Chile? What do you like to do besides skateboarding?

Javi: My name is Javiera, I’m 31 and come from Lo Prado, Santiago, Chile. Besides skating, I also teach skating. I started in Chile some years ago and nowadays I do it in Barcelona too. I’m very happy to be able to pass on something that I love so much! I stay active by going to the gym, English classes, skating, and developing my skills of tarot reader and making natural cosmetics. I never stop, but I’m happy!

Diana: I’m Diana Flores Fica, my friends call me Di. I come from El Gran Santiago, Chile.
Besides skating, I love to do creative activities like thinking, writing, photography, filmmaking, music, and finding new ways to contribute to skate culture, hopefully worldwide. 

“I love finding new ways to contribute to skate culture worldwide.” – Diana Flores

How did you two meet and how would you describe one another?

Javi: We met 16 years ago in Busta, a classic skatepark in Santiago. We were very young and different to how we are now, but we both kept skating and enjoying it, each in their own way. Diana with her art, photographing skateboarding, and me, with teaching. Time goes by and we look back and it’s like, wow! We’re still here; and now, in Spain. I love the way she skates, and I admire the passion she puts into everything that she does, especially when it’s related to skateboarding. She’s always just worked to help improve the scene.

Diana: Around 2009 in Parque Bustamante: Santiago’s skateboarding mecca. A place that witnessed our growth and progress in and outside the board. Javi, in one word, is powerful. She’s sensitive and intuitive, self-aware and strong. I see her as a wise woman capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to. I really appreciate her work with Ajnatura; her magical potions and medicines have helped me with many injuries. I love her sweetness, her energy, and the fact that we’ve shared tricks, laughs and random moments for over fifteen years.

What’s the place you grew up like, and how did you first pick up a skateboard?

Javi: I started skating in my neighborhood, Lo Prado. I love it because there’s no buildings there, just some little houses or small apartments. It was formed in the 60s by impoverished families that demanded a place to live and occupied empty lands. My whole family lives close and everyone knows all the gossip! I wouldn’t change it for a thing, most people come from a humble life and hardship. When I started skating, I didn’t know anyone, but I started trying it outside my house with my cousins… With the years, I started knowing more and more girl skaters, which got me more and more stoked. The best part about it is when you bond and become friends, go on skate trips, support each other and have fun.

Diana: As a child I lived in different places, but mainly in La Florida where I picked up a board for the first time in 2006. Just motivated by curiosity and by my brother Diego, who skated and used to show me skate videos. I used to take his board while he wasn’t at home and try some ollies in our yard, which was only one and a half square meters wide!

“I’m hungry for life and I want better opportunities.”– Javiera Pavez

How did you end up here and how has life been since moving?

Javi: I always dreamed of living in Barcelona since I was little, I used to watch videos from here and be like: what’s up with those spots? In Chile, the architecture is completely different. Last time I was here, in 2021, I had to go back because I broke my foot, so I had some unfinished business with the city. I focused on healing my foot and saving up again. I came back in 2025, with the idea that I might actually stay and live here, the universe provided and I ended up staying! It’s been an intense process. I worked very hard to be where I am now and I can finally say that I’m stable and living a good life.

Diana: It’s a long story. In short, I applied for a scholarship at the Barcelona School of Creativity for three years in a row. The first two times I did it online. The third time, I used it as an excuse to finally visit Barcelona, and got the scholarship. In just three months, my life became Barcelonian. My experience has been beautiful so far. I’ve met amazing people, places and spots to skate as much as I can while I’m studying for an intensive master's degree.

What projects did you dedicate to, in Chile, before coming to Europe?

Javi: Skating and working. I spent all 2025 filming with my friend Pablo Letelier, for the Vxiones project. The video came out last year and it was amazing. It was the first time my mom came to a skate event, I felt like she was proud of me! As for work, I started my project Ajnatura Salud 9 years ago. I make natural, vegan cosmetic make-up and herbal medicine. Throughout this time I’ve been constantly learning and improving my creations. I think the most fun part of it is getting to make art with it, creating make-up looks or collaborating with different artists on photo shoots. Making visual content is something I enjoy a lot. But the most important thing for me is when my clients tell me that my products are good for them, that they see the difference from the toxic cosmetic products in the traditional market.

Diana: Mainly, I have been dedicating a lot of time to the Myself Project. Meanwhile I was working for Ford in VML and making self-managed projects related to skate culture, photography and advertising. Also, pushing Flipa, the first Chilean female skate mag, among other things. 

“Latinos have always been warriors, and my heartfelt message is that we keep on being like that.” – Javiera Pavez

Why did you migrate to Europe? What motivates someone to move far away across the seas, away from everyone they know?

Javi: I’m hungry for life, for traveling, skateboarding, new people and cultures… and, at the same time, I want better opportunities in life, to expand and grow in what I enjoy doing.

Diana: Barcelona called me and I couldn't resist its offer: to study, discover new places, new people and new possibilities in a place where art and culture are more valued. And then, but not less important, to check out why people say this is the mecca of world skateboarding.

Were you scared at any point of this journey?

Javi: Yes. I was scared when I couldn’t find work, when I didn’t have money… I’m also scared that a catastrophe like a third world war happens and I can’t travel to Chile to be with my family.

Diana: It’s been the same as unlocking a new trick: it’s scary to try different moves to get a different spin and land in an unknown spot. But you know: sin caída no hay truco. I feel blessed with friends that have supported me a lot. Forever grateful.

What’s the most difficult thing about it?

Javi: Being away from my family and the people I love. I miss them a lot, but I feel good knowing they support me and wish me the best, despite the distance. I have to be patient, but I can’t wait for the day where I get to hug them all again!

Diana: To be far from my family, pets and close friends. To juggle so many bureaucratic formalities and adaptation processes. Also, to try to keep pushing the Chilean female skate community from here.

What projects do you dedicate to now?

Javi: I’ve been getting clips so I can put out a street part filmed by Carmen Benito, taking photos here and there with Roger... I’m kickstarting my Ajnatura project here, little by little. I sell healing creams to a tattoo studio, anti-inflammatory ointments to the skate community (and not only) and make-up, skincare products and perfumes.

Diana: I’m doing a Creative Copywriting master’s in the BSOC, doing the Communication Management in SOAparis.org and working on self-managed projects that will be revealed soon.

What would you say to those people who think there’s something wrong with immigration?

Javi: I think people are individualistic and maybe for that reason they criticize immigration. Most people migrate because there’s injustice and economical systems that don’t work well in their countries. Borders are just imaginary lines, we should all be free to be where we want to be.

Diana: We are all immigrants. With no exception.

What message would you give to the Latino worldwide community in times like these?

Javi: These really are tough times, I look at the situation in the US and it makes me feel anger and sorrow… In Chile too we now have a very fascist president who’ll probably want to do the same thing. I’m expecting the worst. In Chile, they’re destroying natural places, causing fires in impoverished towns and taking away people’s homes, to set up hydroelectric and mining companies… Latinos have always been warriors, and my heartfelt message is that we keep on being like that. Let us fight until we can’t anymore, and let us have hope, even when it’s hard. Let us show solidarity with one another, support each other, and never lose the love and kindness that define us!

Diana: Difficult times are a source and power for inspiration. Don’t let extreme conservative streams cloud your critical thinking, empathy, or your unique way of expressing yourself through art. Not only for Latinos!

What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about moving far away to look for better opportunities in life?

Javi: You can do it, if you really want to! Be brave, optimistic and work hard. Be a good person and a good friend - that will bring you good karma and good luck!

Diana: Go for whatever you want, but first define a purpose, a plan, work on it and then make it happen. Without that, you might still get what you want, but it will be much harder.

“Don’t let extreme conservative streams cloud your critical thinking and empathy!”