Mariana became a surfer in the iconic beach of São Pedro do Estoril, in Cascais. A skyrocketing evolution led her to become the under-16 national champ only four years after standing up on a surfboard for the first time. In 2015, she was part of the junior team that led Portugal to the 6th place (a national record) on the ISA rankings. Presently she is targeting the national Open title, even if her idea of happiness is closer to a boat trip in a warm-water surfing destination than to every trophies in the world. The Portuguese female surfing is in good hands with this talented goofy-footer.

Training spot: Guincho, Linha

Favorite wave: Lagide, Peniche 

Favorite maneuver: carve

Best quality: being persistent

Worst flaw: being persistent

Heroes: my grandmother

One song: Some Kind of Drug - G-Eazy

One film: Tarzan

Favorite activities: hanging out with my friends

Secret talent: poetry

If I knew the World was going to end in 24 hours… I would go to a world-class warm-water surfing spot with the ones I love the most

If I found a genie in a bottle… I would ask for good waves every day, warm water and no crowd. And endless happiness

I am the greatest at: taking pictures

I totally suck at: telling others how I feel

Life motto: Those who never give up can never be beaten

Xhapeland in a sentence: Always there in decisve moments