The Russian Valeriya Gogunskaya came to Santa Cruz beach to surf and fell in love with João Vieira. And with Portugal. She is a familiar face of Santa Cruz who can be seen dancing on a longboard skate. A fascinating concept that she learned in Finland, but developed in Portugal.
Valeriya never imagined herself to live in such a small place. But she quickly understood the meaning of the Portuguese word "saudade", as she was travelling with her boyfriend João across Asia for a few months. And she missed home. A home called Portugal.
By developing the concept of longboard dancing she became very successful and founded her own business: Longboard Days & Nights, the first longboard dancing & freestyle community in Portugal that organises longboard camps, lessons and several related events. A true art-on-wheels!
Sometimes home can be the most unexpected place !
