Photo Ian Logan
We met Emma like a lot of meet-ups happen in Los Angeles - online. Instagram to be exact. We were intrigued by the fact that in a world full of bowl, park, vert and street skaters, Emma was doing freestyle. Not just doing it, but excelling at it, rapidly. Later we invited her to a skate jam we were helping throw, and even with her packed college schedule, she showed up (by herself) ready to skate and have fun. From there, we encouraged her to enter the US Open of Freestyle and she did, overcoming fears, and getting out there and skating in front of a crowd. Emma is a FORCE.
From her welcoming attitude and her huge smile, letting everyone know she is having a blast on her board, Emma is someone you will want to get to know - so please enjoy our interview with recent UCLA Grad and skateboarder, Emma Houlihan!
Name: Emma Houlihan
Age: 22 years old
Home: Newbury Massachusetts, a small coastal town just north of Boston.
How long have you been skating? A little over 4 years
What type of skateboarding do you do? I love all styles of skateboarding but I gravitate most towards freestyle. I love to combine freestyle with street, approaching it like a dance :)
Photo Ian Logan
What got you into skateboarding? There was an after-school program at my high school, and our photography teacher, Max Nagel, just so happened to be a sponsored skater. The school had converted an old parking lot into a DIY skate space with quarter pipes and rails. I’d always been drawn to skateboarding but never had the confidence to try—or anyone willing to teach me. Getting such a warm welcome from Mr. Nagel changed everything. He helped me embrace the beginner kookiness and lean into the learning process. From the moment I stepped on a board, I was hooked. I’d practice late at night in empty parking lots and skate to school in the mornings. I’ve been on the board ever since.
We know you came to So Cal and attended UCLA. Did being in California influence you as a skater?Absolutely, so much. LA has such a vibrant and inspiring skate scene. Skating at historic spots, meeting incredibly creative and passionate people… it really changed the game for me. You’ve got every kind of skater out here…people who’ve been skating their whole lives, pros at the skatepark, and folks with the most unique, artistic approaches to skating. Being surrounded by all of that energy pushed me to really step up my own game and get consistent. I started to see skating not just as a side hobby, but as something I could actually pursue seriously. And the momentum around women’s skateboarding in LA was especially exciting, it felt like I was part of something bigger.
Photo Julia Steinhouse
You also ran a skateboard club while at UCLA – how did that come about, and can you tell us what the club did together? The club originally started with a group of friends, and I was invited to the first session through an Instagram chat of UCLA skaters (maybe about 20 people at the time). I was one of only two girls there, and while I thought it was so epic what they were doing, I honestly felt like an outsider. Nobody said hi to me or even acknowledged me for the first fifteen minutes the first sesh. I just remember having this lump in my throat like I wanted to cry. But at the same time, I was amazed. I could see the potential, how special this could really be.
I was buzzing with ideas about events we could do and ways to bring people together. I kept going up to the guys leading it, offering to help however I could and pitching ideas constantly. I really shared their vision of a thriving skate community at UCLA and wanted to help in any way I could.
So, I started small. I made a group chat of girls and literally chased down every girl I saw on campus with a skateboard. At first, I felt awkward and nervous doing it, but I pushed through my discomfort. Eventually, I made it a habit to talk to anyone and everyone about skate club. What started as a small chat grew to over 150 girls by the end of my senior year.
We’d do skatepark trips, share tips, and cheer each other on (often it was girls’ first time ever setting foot in a skatepark!) We got them dropping in, doing rock to fakies, and pumping around. Through this involvement, I helped the club lead our first skate jam where we gave away prizes and equipment to help people keep skating. It felt like such a huge milestone.
The jams became a regular thing. One time, we even had a live band playing on the roof. We did potlucks, crafts, girls’ skate sessions, beginner nights… I once taught over 70 people in one night without a megaphone (which really tested my public speaking skills, hahah).
Photo Julia Steinhouse
The biggest impact I wanted to have was making it a truly welcoming place for everyone, no matter their skill level. Not just saying “all are welcome” but showing it. We greet every person with a smile and introduce them to others. We grew so much because of that intention, and people would tell me they felt welcomed and that the club didn’t feel intimidating at all. That meant everything.
We even collaborated with Nike SB, which led to me organizing a women’s skate event at the Primitive Skatepark—getting to invite and connect with women I had looked up to forever in the LA skate scene.
One of my proudest moments helping the club throw a full-on block party in Westwood. We had a live DJ, a student flea market, a graffiti artist, an art gallery, and live skating—all celebrating mental health awareness and the skate community. I really had to treat it like a full-time job: early mornings at the coffee shop sending emails, writing grant proposals, and going to meetings to pitch the vision. I had an amazing team of student leaders alongside me, and I learned how to rely on my people—how to lead by pushing others into their own passions and potential.
Being part of skate club helped me grow so much. I learned how to build community, connect with others, share my passion, and actually see what’s possible when people work together. The club has grown so much and is absolutely thriving now. I can’t wait to see how the next group of leaders make it their own!
Emma at UCLA - Photo Julia Steinhouse
What degree did you graduate with from UCLA? I graduated with a degree in sociology. It has entirely changed my perspective on the world, helping me to better understand people and society.
What is it that you like or enjoy most about skateboarding? Connecting with the community. There are so many different ways to skate, and I love watching how everyone brings their own style to it. People from all backgrounds and ages come together through skating, and I’ve found it to be an incredibly meaningful and transformative way to connect with others. I love organizing events that get people excited to skate, get involved, and give back. When I started out, I didn’t have a skate crew—and yeah, it takes time to find one—but now I really enjoy being the person who brings others in with open arms.
Emma at the Paliskate Fire Relief Jam - Photo Ian Logan
Who are your favorite people to skate with? There’s something really special about skating with other women. I often forget how male-dominated skateboarding still is… until I find myself at the park some nights as the only girl there. While I do love skating with the guys, it can sometimes feel isolating. I have to push myself not to shrink, to bring my full personality into the space, and not tone down my femininity just to fit in. And that’s not always easy.
The women I skate with approach skating in such a unique, light, and playful way. They help me take it less seriously, to fall and get back up without judgment. They’re incredibly supportive and make me feel strong. I also love skating with women who challenge and push me. That healthy competition helps me grow and take things even further. We lift each other up while still pushing each other to level up, and that’s the kind of environment where I thrive.
We’ve seen you skate with Andy Anderson – how was that? Ummm…maybe the highlight of my whole life!! Kidding. (or am i?) Andy Anderson is one of my favorite skaters, someone I look up to for his creativity and even more importantly kindness. He really represents a lot of nontraditional skaters who are pushing boundaries and doing things their own way, which is something I deeply admire.
We met during a group skate I was co-hosting with GirlSwirl, LMU Shred Sisters, and Skate Club UCLA (which in itself was a huge honor as GirlSwirl was a big influence on my skating journey and helped me meet some of my first female skate friends). Val, one of GirlSwirl’s riders, introduced me to Andy and I was like… okay, this is my moment!
We were skating curbs, and I did a 540 revert near him, and he goes, “Whoa! I’ve never seen anyone do that before,” and asked me to teach him. We ended up spending like an hour exchanging tricks, and honestly I surprised myself with my ability to keep up! We even filmed a line together where we jumped up a curb on one foot—it was so silly but surprisingly super hard. I learned so many new tricks that night and it was just one of those magical sessions I’ll never forget.
Favorite places to skate in and around Los Angeles? UCLA’s campus, Courthouse, Pedlow, Venice, and the Cove on adult nights!
Photo Ian Logan
You skate freestyle, which is unusual, and we love seeing it! What made you choose that direction? It honestly just came natural to me, it was the way my body wanted to move. I’d listen to music while skating and found myself timing my movements to the beat, almost like I was dancing. I’ve always loved to dance (especially solo dance parties in my bedroom at night!), and skating became another way to feel connected to my body, to express myself, and release energy. Freestyle lets me skate how I want to without rules, and really tap into the creative flow.
You are known for your powerful and gorgeous 360-degree slides – what inspired you to start doing them? I learned how to do a revert and then would do them quite obsessively. I’d do them frontside, backside, over and over again. One day, a friend suggested I try looping them together into a full 360 spin. That little nudge out of my comfort zone made all the difference. From there, I started spinning all the time. It made skating feel way more fluid and feminine. Eventually, I realized I could add more rotations, landing 540s and then 720s. I especially love doing them downhill… it’s like skiing, being able to carve and control your momentum. It just feels so free!
You entered the Freestyle Championships recently in Venice – tell us a little about your first big contest! (super proud of you for entering!) Thank you so much!! This was a really big deal for me. Honestly, I was super intimidated and almost didn’t enter because of imposter syndrome. That’s something I’ve struggled with in life and school—like many women, I think, we’re not always taught to recognize our own power and potential. When I saw the entry had closed online, my heart sank, and that’s when I realized how badly I wanted to be part of it. I emailed them on a whim, and thankfully, there was still space!
I practiced for hours leading up to it, even though my hip was injured I pushed through the pain. At the time, I was skating on these super tiny wheels that were worn down from all my powerslides and spins, which made it way harder. And the night before the competition, I took a gnarly slam from hitting a flat spot. That morning, I raced to the skate shop to swap out my wheels and only had about 30 minutes to feel them out before it was go time.
I knew adrenaline would be my friend, and I just tried to have fun with it. It was nerve-wracking but so exciting—a perfect way to get the competition jitters out. I skated to I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor…my underdog anthem. It was disco, sassy, fun, and totally amped me up.
When I messed up a trick, my legs got super shaky. I had to take a deep breath, reset, and refocus on the rest of the run. And when I fell, I just laughed and smiled, reminding myself this was supposed to be for me, for fun. Imperfection is part of the process. I really tried to take up space out there and I threw in some big 540 revert spins and just went for it. I ended up landing two of my hail-mary tricks I’d thrown in last-minute.
I got to meet so many amazing skaters, many of them really young, which is soooo exciting for the future of skating. I learned a ton of new tricks and—shockingly—placed second in the rookie division!! That was huge for me. It taught me to push through my self-doubt and not count myself out before I even try. The point was to challenge myself and get outside of my comfort zone, and I’m really proud that I did. Half the battle was just showing up :)
Any specific tricks that you want to learn this summer? It’s a huge goal of mine to learn to tre-flip this year!
How is the East Coast skate scene where you live? I love skating at home. The skate scene is small but mighty and I’m a part of a big group chat of women that all meet up and go to different parks together around Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. It’s quite hot & humid in the summer so I like to skate at night with friends :) The community here is strong and has got grit. It’s cool to see the difference in style compared to the west coast.
Can we expect you back out here on the West Coast anytime soon? Yes!! I'm applying for jobs right now and plan on moving back once I find one, hopefully early fall.
Photo Ian Logan
Are there any women out there doing remarkable things (such as skateboarding or business) that inspire & motivate you? Definitely! Grlswirl has had a huge impact on me—they were one of my first windows into women’s skateboarding and really showed me what a supportive and welcoming skate community could look like. Concrete Queenz is also doing incredible work, empowering young girls through skating and mentorship. I am also really inspired by skaters who blend their art with skating. Like Bryce Wettstein. It's really cool to see the way that she expresses her femininity through her clothing, art, and music in a way that feels really genuine. I think she is the ultimate cool girl and is a great example of someone who expresses themselves authentically, paving the way for others to do the same.
Dream job? My dream job is with a company like Nike, Skate Like a Girl, GrlSwirl, or LA 28. I’d love to do something where I can work directly with athletes, and contribute to something bigger than myself. I’m especially passionate about doing something that brings together skaters, artists, and youth to build meaningful, community-rooted experiences. I would love to work on events, help with creative direction, and contribute to shifting the culture for women’s sports.
Any favorite foods or healthy eating habits you can share when you are skating all day? What a wonderful question. Well first of all, hydration is essential. I like to make a DIY electrolyte drink lemon juice water and a little bit of salt to replenish myself on hot days. My go to pre or post skate snack is a big bowl of plain greek yogurt with granola, frozen fruit, chocolate chips, and chia seeds DRIZZLED in honey.
Favorite place you've ever skated? This is so difficult to answer!! My favorite park of all time is probably Lynch Family Skatepark in Boston, they just have everything there.
Dream place to skate? I’m looking forward to visiting NYC for a bit and skating there while I’m home… it’s a dream of mine to skate the Brooklyn Banks. I also want to skate across Europe… particularly Barcelona and Copenhagen. Being on a board feels like speaking a whole different language—it’s such a powerful way to connect with people. I’d love to meet and skate with some of my mutuals overseas who inspire me so much.
Favorite Trick? 540 frontside revert.
Photo Ian Logan
Skate Sponsors: I am flow for S1 Helmets & Rusty!
Three things you don't know about me:
1. I’m a writer and aspiring author. I love to write short stories, essays, and poetry.
2. I did theater as a kid and love musicals… and can rap the entire soundtrack of Hamilton at any moment.
3. I can unicycle and also pogo stick while jump-roping. When I was little I wanted to run away and join the circus… being a skater might be the closest I’ll get to that haha!
Any advice for girls out there who want to get into skateboarding? Learn to fall in love with the learning process. Skateboarding has always been—and will always be—about learning and pushing yourself just outside your comfort zone enough to really surprise yourself. That might mean showing up to the skatepark for the first time and simply riding around, or it could be landing a 540 in the bowl. It’s all about the personal challenge it brings and how it helps you grow more connected to yourself.
Failure is the key to all of it. Learn how to turn it into fuel…something to be proud of: proof that you showed up and gave it a shot. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, and celebrate your wins (and your slams!) as often as you can.
What’s Next? I just finished writing my senior thesis on the Venice Skatepark, an ethnographic deep dive into the culture, gender dynamics, risk, and community that shape that space. It was such a meaningful project for me, and now I’m in the process of adapting it into a series of short essays that blend my personal skate journey with reflections on movement, identity, and what it means to carve out space as a woman in skateboarding. I’m hoping to publish them soon! Writing has always been a huge part of who I am, and it’s been really exciting to merge my love for skateboarding with storytelling.
Make sure you follow Emma!
Last Words of advice: Stay true to yourself! There is a place in the skateboarding world for you :)
