Tell me a little about yourself and how you got into the outdoor world
.From her work as a biologist to her volunteer adventures with Asociación Cetácea, Maria takes us through her passionate commitment to nature and her constant desire to explore new places.
Maria: Hi! What I love most in the world is spending time in nature and discovering new places. That’s what I try to do both with my work and my free time.
I am a biologist and I am currently working in a research group that studies the evolution of reptiles and amphibians. In this group I am allowed to combine laboratory work with field trips.
Following the same line, I also collaborate with the dissemination and photo-identification project of cetaceans in the Mediterranean, which has allowed me to discover the abundant marine life we have in front of home.
What is your favorite adventure sport and why?
From her early days of hiking to her passionate foray into climbing and other outdoor activities, Maria shares with us her love for sports and nature.
Maria: As for outdoor sports, as I mentioned before, I love discovering new places, and since I was a little girl I’ve loved hiking. As I have always loved the mountains, I started a few years ago with climbing.
There I realized that this sport was taking me to places with a wonderful nature. I went from sport climbing to long routes and from there to canyoning, caving, diving, via ferrata and mountaineering.
In this way, I can combine physical exercise, the most spectacular landscapes and encounters with wildlife.
Could you share your best memory or experience practicing this sport?
.Maria shares with us one of her best memories in the #Outdoor world, a unique and exciting experience she had the privilege to live.
Maria: The best memories I have of activities in nature include encounters with animals. Specifically, I was very lucky to be able to dive with manta rays, sea turtles and sharks in Indonesia. Finding these animals underwater, free and in their environment is an indescribable feeling. But you don’t have to go that far to have similar experiences.
For me, there is nothing better than finding a school of fish that surrounds you and makes you feel part of the group, or like the day we found a group of pilot whales, it was brutal! It was the first time I had seen this species and suddenly a very large group appeared and swam alongside us. Then I went to the bow to take pictures for photo-identification when a juvenile began to play on the bow and gave me one of the most magical moments.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the outdoor industry (or your sport) today?
We reflect with Maria on a unique perspective, from climate change to the pressure on natural ecosystems and how we can address them to preserve our natural spaces.
Maria: It’s not hard to think about the difficulties facing the outdoor sector, especially due to climate change.
It is very worrying to see how every year temperatures are rising more and more. Glaciers are retreating, and it is increasingly difficult to practice snow and ice sports; the sea is warming above the temperature that allows many endemic species to live, displacing them and deregulating ecosystems.
Not to mention the impact of construction on the environment, destroying the most paradisiacal places to make money.
What advice would you give to someone who has never practiced this adventure sport before?
I would talk to them about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone to connecting with nature and community, Maria shares her wisdom and passion for outdoor experiences.
Maria: I always encourage my friends to try outdoor sports. Because in the end, getting out of the house is when you live experiences, it’s where you create memories that last forever.
Besides, they are usually sports that are practiced with other people, so you are guaranteed to have a good time, besides exercising and enjoying the sun and fresh air. And if you are lucky enough to find animals, even better!
Also, there are so many options for outdoor activities that you are sure to find the one that best suits you..
What RocRoi platform activity would you like to do that you haven’t tried yet?
From the thrill of challenging heights to the beauty of exploring new horizons, Maria shares with us her enthusiasm to continue discovering the outdoor world.
Maria: Without a doubt, paragliding! The air is the area I have explored the least, to say the least. I think I’d really enjoy it, both the sensation of flying and the scenery, I’ll let you know when I try it!
