Photo Via: Thomas Olsen

Doubles routine at Bondi Beach. Poppy Starr Olsen and Steve Caballero.

LOVE IT!  Steve has always been a huge supporter of women in skateboarding and I LOVE that he did this with 13 year old ripper, Poppy and I am stoked to see that she is other one doing the huge air over him - instead of the other way around!

That is a big old air Poppy!!  Very cool!!

 Photos: Just Jared

I give props to any girl who decides to skateboard - nice to see young actors like Selena Gomez grabbing a longboard and hitting the streets.

Looks like you skater girls have inspired girls everywhere.  Pretty cool.

 

Ski Jumping - Sarah Hendrickson

Slopestyle Skiing - Grete Eliassen

Snowboard Halfpipe - Arielle Gold

Freestyle Ski Moguls - Heather McPhie

Slopestyle Skiing - Kaya Turski

 Athletes: Sarah Hendrickson, Grete Eliassen, Kaya Turski, Arielle Gold, Heather McPhie

Photos: Maclek Kobieiski

Well done Red Bull Magazine - love the article on some of the rad women who will be competing at this years Winter Olympics in Sochi. From ski jumping (yes - women are finally included in this event this year!)  to Slopestyle Skiing (yeah Grete!) Snowboard Halfpipe and Freestyle Ski Moguls these girls are ready to go out there and kick some butt and win some gold.

I can't wait for the Olympics to start!

You rarely see girls shredding in skate videos with mainly guys. Silly Girl  team rider Julz Lynn is again the exception to the rule. Love seeing Julz in this new video - watch her grinds over the deathbox closely. Rad. The dude who does the roll in off the diving board is cool too.

Love ya Julz - thanks for rocking the "Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word" sticker on your board!

Photo via Leticia Bufoni

Friends, family, health, & happiness. All things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

OK, and an all girl skate crew also makes me smile...

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving.  xx

 Photos: Ian Logan

I have been waiting excitedly to be able to talk about this project for the past few months now. So  frigging honored to be part of the PUMA "XLV Stories of the Puma Suede" book which was done by Puma and Acclaim Magazine to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Puma Suede.

When this HUGE book arrived I was stunned - biggest "sneaker"  box I have ever seen - the presentation (see photos above) was truly amazing on every level - nothing could have prepared me for this!

The book is a limited edition - only 2,000 copies were made and the rad Sapphire shoes they sent me as a gift, are even rarer - only 450 total in the world. And this may freak some of you sneaker collectors out, but I think I may just have to wear them - they are too damn cool not to! Made in Japan with the Sapphire name on the side = cool for sure, but  I am really loving the color!

OK, back to the book, it contains stories from 45 influencers and their personal realtionship with the Puma Suede. I just saw that I'm in the section MOVERS  along with pro skateboarder Bucky Lasek, Yoheu Uchino (BMX) and a bunch of the B-Boys!  And that I am one of two girls featured - the other being Yo! M.A.F.I.A the Australian DJ - love that she is in there with me! Another rad shout out goes to Jimbo Phillips who is also featured in the CREATORS section.

As some of you know, my history with the Puma Suede started back in the late 70's when they sponsored me during my pro skateboard days. Even now I wear suede's with anything and everything. The secret to their longevity (in my opinion) are the clean, classic lines & great functionality. I love them!

Thanks to Puma & Acclaim Magazine for the interview and including me in this awesome piece of sneaker history.  xx

Photo: Joanne Barratt

Photo: Joanne Barratt

Photo: Ken Hada

Photo: Joanne Barratt

Photo: Joanne Barratt

Photo: Joanne Barratt

Photo Borqui

Photo: Joanne Barratt

Photo: Joanne Barratt

 I first heard about Jordyn when she lived in Hawaii. Even back then her name was known in skate circles here in Southern California. I waited eagerly for the day her mom moved them both over to California so Jordyn could start skating new terrain consistently. And guess what? She hasn't just been just "skating it" she has been tearing it up! Bewteen skating & surfing, the girl is a dual threat. I'm looking foreword to seeing what tricks she pulls out for the upcoming Vans Girls Combi Bowl Classic - I for one will be front and center cheering her on.

Name:  Jordyn Barratt

Age:  14 years old.

Home is: I just moved to Encinitas CA from living in Haleiwa, HI my whole life.

How Long Have You Been Skating?   I have been skating for almost 4 years .

Favorite place you've ever skated:  My favorite place that I have ever skated was at the US Open, Tony Hawk's vert ramp, and Bucky Lasek's bowl.

Favorite Trick: I really love to do long grinds.

Sponsors: Pink Helmet Posse, Boardstix, and Vans Shoes

Three Things You Don't Know About Me:

1. I am a vegetarian.

2. My best friend who lives in Hawaii is totally opposite from me and is such a girly girl!

3. My elementary school was called Sunset Elementary School and was right across the street from the world famous Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii and now I am in High School in California and my school is called Sunset High School.


What's Next:


Just a few weeks ago Exposure Contest happened in San Diego! It was a ton of fun! Everyone was skating so well and the contest was great! In mid-December I am going back to Hawaii to visit all of my friends! I can't wait to see them again and go surf every day in warm water! Then in January the Girls combi Bowl Classic is happening! I can't wait for that and I am really looking forward to seeing all the the girls… it is so fun when we all get together for a contest because we really have a lot of fun too! Until then I am going to try to get up to the Combi Bowl as often as I can!

Make sure you follow Jordyn on:  Facebook and on Instagram @jordynbarratt  and on her Blog

Many thanks to Loaded Boards for sharing this video with us. 18 miles of skateboarding along the Southern California coast for a really good cause - Boarding for Breast Cancer. Over $20,000 was raised for breast cancer research. So cool.

Photos: Martin Schoeller

Another great article about the US Women's Ski Jump Team. In case you missed this landmark ruling - this is the FIRST time that Women's Ski Jumping will be included in the Winter Olympics. Sochi 2014 baby - get ready for these girls to take it by storm.

But the story right now is the injury Sarah Hendrickson sustained while landing at over 70 mph - will she be back and ready in time for Sochi? That is the question...

Read more about the team and Sarah's road to recovery HERE at the NY Times website.

UNDEREXPOSED Teaser / Exposure 2013 Recap from Amelia Brodka on Vimeo.


Did you miss the Exposure contest, or just want to see some rad footage of all the girls you saw ripping at the event?  Check out this awesome recap from Amelia Brodka, Brian Lynch and Jake Llyod - the girls are shredding in both pool and on the vert ramp.

Congrats to all the girls who competed, and those who came out to show their support.

 Photos: via Surf Stitch

It's always summer somewhere... I know its a day early, but have a GREAT weekend no matter where you are.

 Photos: Olivier Seguin-Leduc, Arian Chamasmany, Alexandra Kubiak-No-Chi, Brad T. Miller, Martijn Schrama, CGSA 


She kicks ass every where she goes. She's been killing it for 10 years now on the downhill scene - If you don't know Marie Bougourd yet - you should. She absolutely has no fear and makes it all look way too easy.

Who's Rad?   Marie Bougourd aka Spoky Woky

Age: 26

Home: France

How Long Have You Been Skating? 2003 - 10 years (downhill)

Favorite place you've ever skated? Kozakov CZ republic

Favorite Trick?  Fast heelside pendy

Sponsors: Orangatang , RiptideBushings , Smb Bearrings , Aera trucks , Fibretec , sickboards.


Three Things You Don't Know About Me:

1. I'm not pregnant.

2. I love nail polish

3 I'm a fan of nian cat.


Make sure you follow Marie on  Instagram

Photos: Mitchell Haaset

I was lucky to meet Amy Purdy a month or so ago at the ESPNw Women's Summit and she blew me away - she's so nice, fun, and an absolute inspiration. Seriously a great girl!

I could tell you here whole story here about how she became a kick ass snowboarder but I want you to jump over to a recent article in Las Vegas Weekly Magazine, because no one can tell this amazing story like Amy can.

But I will share this with you here - she is representing the USA at the Sochi Paralympics in 2014 - YES!

 In fact have you seen her TEDx talk? Its a MUST!



Amy is someone you will definitely be inspired by!

Read all about Amy's journey HERE

Photo: Donna Gast

Photo: Ian Logan

Photo: Ian Logan

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking at TEDxYouth Santa Monica this weekend. My talk was on my experiences in  skateboarding, and what young girls (in general) can do to empower themselves in today's world. I will be excited to share it with all of you when it comes out on the TEDx Youtube channel soon!

HUGE thanks to my lovely friend & amazing make-up artist  Donna Gast , who graciously did my hair & make-up for this event. Donna works with me on many advertising shoots and flew back from another shoot just in time to help me out and make me feel beautiful - I really appreciated it!

All the speakers were amazing. Danni Washington spoke on how cool it is to be "different" & her close up encounter with a whale shark. Cliff Dorfman, who was the screen writer for the show ENTOURAGE, spoke about finding your passion and doing something with it - great advice! It was a really cool, inspiring day!

Thank you TEDxYouth Santa Monica for inviting me to come speak!

World Champion surfer Carissa Moore is is one of Glamour Magazines Women of the Year!

Here's what 11 x World Champion Kelly Slater has to say about Carissa "She's the best in the world right now and what's scary is, she just keeps improving"

In a sport where women win 1/3 of the prize money of men, Carissa is out to help change all that.

"Girls can do exactly what the guys are doing" says Carissa "We can do airs, we can do huge power carves, but with a little grace too."

Congrats Carissa!

 Photo: via Dusters California

When you break it down, this is what the  Dusters California  "Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word" board looks like - piece by piece...

Photo: Jeff Tsuda

Photo: jan Hodak

Photo: Ken Hada

Photo: Ian Logan

Photo: Local 808

I met Sarah a while ago and thought she looked like this sweet, nice girl, who just happened to skateboard... until I saw her attack the bowl. All of a sudden I saw the real Sarah - sweet yes. Nice? Absolutely! But aggressive as hell when skating, totally determined (even through a tough injury) and amazing style for miles. She is one tough competitor and so rad to watch - whether in practice or during the event! 

Name: Sarah Thompson, aka "sarahshreds" 

Age: 16 

Home is: Huntington Beach 

How Long Have You Been Skating? About 4 years now 

Favorite place you've ever skated? The new Oceanside park or Woodward 

Favorite Trick? Backside disaster or Frontside 5-0s 

Sponsors: Silly Girl Skateboards, Indo Board Balance Trainer, Wicked Audio 

Three Things You Don't Know About Me: 

1. I'm really good at math. 

2. Every pair of socks I own have holes in them from knee sliding. 

3. I went to my freshman homecoming on crutches 

What's Next? Well I just got back from New York with the Silly Girl team which was REALLY cool. We did demos and have clinics along with discovering the beauties of Brooklyn. And we actually put forth a lot of fundraising for that trip where I even hosted my very own art show over the summer! The past few months have been crazy with contests. I was in Colorado for the Rocky Mountain Rampage, San Francisco for Chili Bowl, San Jose for Tim Brauch and I competed at U.S. Open's Van Doren Invitational in my home town! Lately I've just been focusing on my schoolwork and training my body to be in better shape, but this upcoming weekend I'm headed to San Diego for Exposure! 

Make sure you follow Sarah on: Instagram @sarahshreds and Twitter @Sarahshreds And "like" sarahshreds on FB!

Honored to be included in the limited edition book "XLV Stories of the Puma Suede" (2,000 total) produced by Puma and Acclaim Magazine.

Forty five people from music, art, dance and sport have their personal stories and history wearing the suede detailed in the book, which  commemorates the Suede's 45th anniversary. Another skater represented is Bucky Lasek - I'm excited to read his story.

As some of you may know Puma was my shoe sponsor back in the day and I still wear their shoes now & love them!

Happy Anniversary Puma Suede!

Keala Kennelly is the 2x winner of the Billabong XXL Girls Best Performance award and a badass big wave surfer. She was asked by ESPN magazine recently how she pulls off riding some of the heaviest barrels and lives to talk about it.

"I've been through some gnarly things - smashing my face into a reef, two wave hold-downs, so I'm now more calculated about taking risks. Some days I sit on the beach and don't like how I feel or what I see. Something just isn't right. When I was younger, going out was about bravado. But now I'm like, "Know what? I'm cool. I'll sit this one out. Confidence comes and goes, you just have to capitalize on the moments when you're feeling good."

Good advice.

Women's ski jumpers have never been allowed to compete in the Olympics before... until now.

READY TO FLY (available on itunes) follows the story of these amazing athletes, and the Olympic sport that was the very last to keep excluding women.

Girls are changing the world by pushing back when they are unfairly excluded.  Hell YES.