Catching up with Fabiola da Silva

Catching up with Fabiola da Silva

When it comes to accolades, there is no woman in the world that can compete with the mighty Fabiola da Silva. The Brazilian pro skater has won over 50 medals in a career that has spanned almost two decades. She is also the most decorated female in X Games history, winning gold a staggering seven times and taking home a silver medal on one occasion – she must have been feeling unwell that day. The Sao Paulo native was so dominant in the female vert event that she was granted permission to compete in the male vert competition and still managed to end up in the top ten on a regular basis. In addition to her ridiculous amount of trophies, Fabiola can also boast that she was the first woman to land a double backflip, lacing the hazardous manoeuvre back in 2005.

Since X Games dropped the inline competition from the US event, Fabiola has drifted away from the limelight but her skating is stronger than ever and she is in the process of promoting a range of signature children’s products in her native Brazil. She currently divides her time between performing at the Mat Hoffman Show at Universal Studios and presenting a children’s television show. She may not be impressing viewers on ESPN any more, but with the relentless drive that Fabiola possesses, it was inevitable that she would land on her feet – literally and figuratively.

Wheel Scene stole some time from the female blading icon’s hectic schedule to discuss her current projects and find out her thoughts on the state of the rollerblading industry.

Wheel Scene: Hi Fabiola, what have you been doing lately?
Fabiola da Silva: I still skate a lot. The reason people don’t see me much at contests is because I do a lot of shows! I do the Mat Hoffman Show at Universal Studios (Island of Adventures). I’ve been doing the show for the past four years so it’s hard for me to leave the show and go somewhere else. But I skate all the time and I travel quite a bit.

Who are your current sponsors at the moment?
I’m sponsored by TNT Energy Drink (Brazilian Energy Drink) and I get skates from Valo.

I understand you are married now, is that correct?
I’m not married anymore (awkward).

What do you think about the current state of the sport and the industry?
Well I’ve been skating for 18 years! I have seen a lot of changes and every year I think the sport gets better. These days I think the rollerblading industry is small but, at the same time, all the companies and people that are involved in our sport do a great job supporting and representing all the athletes and the rollerblading industry. They all do a lot for the sport and I think if wasn’t for them we would not be where we are now! I really respect and appreciate all the hard workers that are making our sport grow.

What would you like to see change?
I think all the older skaters, like me, should someday get together to try to make something different for rollerblading, like create an association and put some sick contests and events like we used to have back in 1998 when rollerblading was huge! I miss those old days – it was a lot of fun!

Are you working on any projects or tours at the moment?
I have my line of kid’s skates, helmets and safety gear here in Brazil. And I have a kids TV show that I’m the presenter of. I am also participating in some local contests here in Brazil, Mat Hoffman Shows and putting a school together here in Brazil to teach kids rollerblading! I love what I do and if I can motivate the next generation I will do everything that is in my capability.