Jasmine Graziano - Longboard & Watersports

Jasmine is 26 years old and is currently living in Lecce, Italy.

@jasminegraziano on Instagram

“I perceive myself as an outgoing, playful, charismatic, a bit of a “tomboy” girl that loves life and people. I adore adventure and alienating myself in different parts of the world. I grew up in a multicultural family, my mom is Spanish and my dad is Italian. I did my early studies at the English International School Of Padua, and then moved to Spain and Brazil during my middle school years. I came back to finish my last 2 years of high school in Lecce, south of Italy, and started studying oriental languages at the Università Ca' Foscari in Venice. During those years, I had the chance to live six months in Shanghai where I was teaching English to young kids while studying and working at a bar at the same time. It was a wonderful experience that changed my life completely."

Living in China, I noticed the amount of respect and the importance people give to education there. I would love for my daughter to have the same experience. I learned a different kind of discipline and discovered a whole unique culture. I got into surfing and kitesurfing while I was living in Jericoacoara, a magical place in the north coast of Brazil. I started surfing with a surf teacher that was living nearby my house and I immediately got hooked by the sport and lifestyle. I got into longboarding thanks to my friend Gioia while being in Italy. Right now my main sport is teaching my two-year-old daughter how to skate. Not going to lie, she is already showing some skills,” she laughs.

Have you faced any kind of discrimination in this sport?

“I have never felt unequal while surfing in Brazil. Locals love the fact that more people want to get into the sports. There are so many teachers that are really motivated in young girls and boys to get better. For example, in Brazil the community organizes women-only surf, kitesurf, windsurf, and stand-up paddle events, where everyone supports and cheers each other. I participated in the SUP Carnival in one of them and it was a great experience. When I was starting to kitesurf, it was basically me and another friend in the water amongst many men—now it is more the opposite. A lot of women practice kitesurfing and it’s amazing.

Even though Brazil might be a machista country, and many people still believe that women should stick to the status quo, when it comes to sports everyone levels up. I didn’t feel or get any sexist comments, mainly the contrary. The more you get in the water, the more people would be down to teach you to improve your skills. If you’re having problems in the water, people wouldn’t think twice to go and save you. It’s a very friendly environment, it’s just awesome.”

What advice would you give to aspiring female board riders?

“My advice for young and aspiring female board riders is to just try it. It’s about the emotion you feel while doing it. Some people may love or hate it—it takes time to be able to master these sports, but once you get them it's just magical and indescribable. It’s like pressing pause to everything and giving time to myself and the connection with nature. I mainly do individual sports, because I love the fact you are alone. For example surfing, you are always surrounded by a bunch of people, while kitesurfing or longboarding, you can sing, shout and be crazy. You don’t depend on anybody. It’s just you and the ocean. 

Are you hoping your daughter, Chloe, gets into surfing?

I have never liked competition. It’s not you and the ocean anymore...It’s [just] demonstrating what you know to other people. For me, in these kinds of sports, it’s more an inner thing. I don’t care if I can jump 3 meters or what not—I do it for the adrenaline and for the sense of total liberty before, during, and after a session. It’s a fantastic world. If Chloe wants to get into it, I would push her into going to surf camps, but not forcing her. I love the surf environment because it is a simple yet motivated world to be in. I never hear jealous comments about that girl knowing more tricks than me, etc. Everyone empowers and pushes each other to the max.

What helps you stay calm? What affirmations do you tell yourself?

When something intimidating is about to happen during sports, for example a huge set is coming and I'm freaking out, I start singing or shouting like a crazy person,” she laughs. "If it’s something regarding everyday life, I think about my daughter.”

In the future, Jasmine plans to finish college, then get a master’s degree. She wants to find a balance of doing a job that she loves, while also putting aside time to spend with her daughter.

For more information on Jasmine, check out her profile on Instagram!