Who is Paula Villarroel? | Meet the Chilean Kitesurf and Snowkite Champion
Pursuing her passion and empowering others along her journey, we chatted with TeamVivida's Paula Villarroel
Paula Villarroel is our beloved Chilean Kitesurfer that very quickly found her place in the kitesurf community, not only for her previous achievements and experience in the sporting world , but by becoming an inspiration and motivation, representing women that are just starting out their kitesurfing journeys. Paula learned to kitesurf just 4 years ago and now as we write this, at age 40, she is the Chilean Kitesurf and Snowkite National Champion.
Paula’s triumphs are far from the only reason so many people have warmed to her so quickly. She has been a strong promoter of getting more women out onto the water and has been a strong activist in creating a community of motivated and independent women within the Chile kitesurfing scene. Paula is a true ambassador of everything the Vivida Lifestyle represents. She couldn’t encapsulate the Vivida ethos more and we are so happy that she is the visionary she is within TeamVivida; leading the pack and spreading the Vivida Lifestyle attitude and ethos during every breath she takes. A true inspiration.
We sat down with Paula recently for a short interview so that the Vivida community could get to know her a little more. We hope you enjoy!
Paula, how did you come to join TeamVivida?
Running into Vivida was one of those magical things that happens in life.
It was the perfect moment, in which stars align and you feel everything in your life makes sense. Choosing what makes you happy and doing it NOW. That warm anxiety you feel when you start your journey at last…That is when Vivida shows up in my path, and I realised that it represents the lifestyle I have and desire.
You’re clearly a true water baby, so how do you get by living in the city? So far away from what you love: the water and the beach?
My life in general revolves around Kitesurfing but besides that, I am a Maxillofacial Surgeon and I teach classes in College, so I spend half of the week here and the rest of the time there.
I love teaching, I have surgery students under my wing as well as kitesurfing students, and I think that being able to give someone the tools they can use to develop themselves is a wonderful gift.
What would you consider to be one of your greatest strengths?
Perseverance. I am convinced that it is ALWAYS possible, it only depends on how many times you are willing to try.
And one of your weaknesses?
Being a perfectionist. Demanding too much from myself and others can many times cloud me from seeing all the good things happening around me.
What was the kitesurfing scene in Chile like for women when you started out?
When I started 4 years ago, there were very few women practicing in Chile, it was hard to fill out all the categories on tournaments which ultimately translated into very little recognition of women’s categories, due to the low number of competitors.
But what I also saw was that there were many really good girls out there, at competition level, only too scared to jump in. I felt there was something missing, something to gather us all together.
What role does the difference in physical makeup of men and women have to play in the current men/women disparity within kitesurfing?
I think that in all sports, men and women have certain characteristics that may benefit them or not. It is true that men can be stronger for example, but women are more flexible, which can be a good asset while kiting.
Why do you think it is, that there are fewer women competing?
I think mostly because women feel scared and bashful. This is exactly what made me start searching for seasoned girls as well as newbies to approach. I wanted to get to know them so that we could start facing together our challenges in kite.
It turned out there were so many of us!
That is how I decided to organize the first Kite Girl Day, a day to sail together, get to know each other, and learn from one another.
Tell us more about your project Kite Girl Day… it sounds like it was the perfect cherry on the cake to you building so successfully the women kitsurf community in Chile
The first Kite Girl Day was in the summer of 2017 in Puclaro, Chile. It turned out so good that we decided to do it again in 2018, this time with Vivida Lifestyle as one of our main sponsors, which helped so much to make this event spectacular.
This year we had 40 participants coming from Chile and Argentina, all ages. We had friendly competitions and a seminar about how to handle fear in extreme sports, dictated by Argentinian pro rider Fer Miller. We also had the Queen of the Air Chile, in which EVERYONE participated. Many of the girls were competing for the first time, and experiencing the competition for the first time was a huge step for them. The most important in my opinion was creating the perfect instance for fellowship and good vibes, and for strengthening us as a community.
We’re so proud you took 1st place in Chile’s Kitesurf and Snowkite championships this year (2018). Tell us, how does it feel going into competition?
I love challenges and that is why I love to compete. The adrenaline caused by the anxiety prior to hearing your name out loud, is a feeling that fuels me and motivates me to improve. To give the best of myself and to do it the best way I can is something that comforts me, regardless of the result.
If you had to pick your favourite kitesurf spot, where would it be?
Los Roques, Venezuela is a destination I will go back to anytime I can. Besides being an amazing spot for kite, it is the most beautiful place I have been to. People also have such a great vibe that it makes you fall in love with it even more.
I think we live in a constant journey, and we must be smart by enjoying it as much as possible, all the way. Not just the destination. Many times we travel in search for the perfect conditions to execute a new move, and if it isn’t the way we want it, we get frustrated instead of enjoying the conditions and choosing to work on other things.
The perfect spot is in your head. Sometimes you have it all; the perfect wind, the perfect water, but if you are not having fun you are going to think it was the worse place on earth to be at. To me, the best way to enter the flow is having fun.
For now I am in Brazil on pre-season. Later to go back to Chile and enjoy the summer season, always open to new journeys.
Follow Paula Villarroel on Instagram.
KITEGIRL DAY
Jackie Tyburski dives deep into the stories and true essence of the Vivida Lifestyle brand, ethos, and mission. She believes the right words illuminate our purpose and capture life's moments in pure, imperfect, and poetic form. Travelling, cooking, yoga, and paddle-boarding are a few of Jackie's other favourite things, alongside being a mom and wife to a few awesome humans.
