Awesome Clean & Clear commercial with Hoopla Team rider Alana Smith. Love the fact that she skates through the entire spot and the voice over is her talking about what it's like being a female skater. Congrats Alana - great job!
Awesome Clean & Clear commercial with Hoopla Team rider Alana Smith. Love the fact that she skates through the entire spot and the voice over is her talking about what it's like being a female skater. Congrats Alana - great job!
Photos by Levon Bliss for The NY TIMES
So proud of Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word team rider Minna Stess. Minna is part of an article in The NY Times Magazine that came out today about children who are extreme athletes. Her shoot took place at Minna's favorite spot, The Mega Ramp at Woodward West. All the kids featured here are amazing at what they do, and we are so stoked to see Minna representing our XS Helmets x GN4LW collab helmet throughout!
Congrats Minna!!
Photo: Paul Luna / Deck Graphic by Susan Burton
50 years ago today Patti McGee graced the cover of LIFE Magazine. In honor of that amazing day, Original Betty Skateboards is releasing a special edition graphic in her honor. That's OG Betty team rider Brittney Conrad taking the new board for a test ride. You can get the new deck at Pink Widow Distribution
Happy Anniversary Patti McGee!
 | |||
| Robin Logan / via Logan Earth Ski archives |
 |
| Cara-Beth Burnside / Photo: Cavalheiro |
 |
| Elissa Steamer / Photo MRZ |
This Thursday night is a very special night for all of us in skateboarding. It's the date of the 2015 annual Skateboarding Hall of Fame, a night where we come together to honor our peers, see people we haven't seen in in a while (sometimes it's been years and years). It feels like our high school reunion or our prom, which many of us never attended as we were competing and traveling. Obviously some of us were in different "classes" back then, so meeting skaters who skated before you, or came up after you, is always fun too.
I'd like to introduce you to the three amazing women who are being inducted to the Hall of Fame this year, each one of them has made contributions to our sport that are invaluable and they all have helped pave the way for girls today.
1980's Inductee: Cara-Beth Burnside was always a trailblazer. Shredding vert from an early age, Cara-Beth was the very first female skater to have her own collab skate shoe which was produced by Vans. She was also the first female skater to appear on the cover of Thrasher Magazine. Later she turned to snowboarding and made the first Olympic snowboard team competing in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. She co-founded The Alliance & also runs Hoopla Skateboards, both with fellow pro skater Mimi Knoop.
1990's Inductee: Elissa Steamer is often referred to as the godmother of street skating. Elissa helped shape the street skating genre for girls with her aggressive, but fluid style. She was the first female skater to appear in a skateboard video game (as a playable player) She has also appeared in numerous core street skating videos & she has been a pro rider for some of the top street skating companies, such as Toy Machine, Bootleg, and Baker over the years. Elissa has five X-games medals to her name - four gold and one silver.
Full list of male and female inductee's, plus the icon awards recipients are as follows:
2015 Skateboarding Hall of Fame Inductees:
1960s Brian Logan
1970s Era One - Henry Hester
1970s Era Two - Duane Peters
1980s Era One - Neil Blender
1980s Era Two - Chris Miller
1990s John Cardiel
1970s Female - Robin Logan
1980s Female - Cara-Beth Burnside
1990s Female - Elissa Steamer
2015 Skateboarding Hall of Fame Icon Award Recipients:
Steve Van Doren
James O'Mahoney
Tracker Trucks
Congrats to everyone listed above - you are all worthy of this honor and it's going to be an amazing night!
all images via Hoopla Skateboards
Hoopla Skateboards just announced that they are releasing THREE new female pro decks. Team riders, Alana Smith, Samarria Brevard, and Allysha Bergado are all pro now and have their very own signature decks. Each signature deck is available in 4 different sizes so girls (and guys) of all ages and heights can get one that works best for them. Congrats Alana, Allysha and Samarria!
Which one is your favorite?
 |
| Film by Lisa Whitaker |
Today's the last day to see the photo exhibit LA WOMAN at the Oakley In Residence space on Melrose. There are some beautiful shots of pro skater Leticia Bufoni in the mix, as well as an awesome girls skate film by Lisa Whitaker from Girls Skate Network.
The skatepark alongside the pop up shop is open to the public for FREE - you just need to sign a waiver and if you are under 18 have your parent sign you in. Oakley is having a "best trick" contest & skate jam today, there will be free food, drinks, and swag being given out all day long so make sure you head up there and check it out!
Oakley In Residencee
7763 Melrose Avenue
Los Angles
Very sad news. One of the pioneer girls of BMX has passed away way too soon. Kim Johnson broke down barriers back in the day being one of the few girls riding BMX and of course competing against the boys (and winning). She was also one of the first girls in BMX to be in an ad for Vans shoes. Pioneer of her sport. RIP Kim.
For more info on Kim please check out BMX News
We love that more and more mainstream publications and company's are choosing to feature female action sports athletes. Nice to see Australian pro surfer Felicity Palmateer on the current cover of ADORE Magazine. She also has a nice two page spread inside where they discuss her surfing career and her art!
If you are anywhere near Seattle check out Skate Like a Girl's annual "Wheels of Fortune" event. Girls from all over come to meet up, skate, and have a great time. Make sure you jump over to SLAG's site and pre-register!
Date: Sunday, May 3
Location: All Together Skatepark
3500 Stone Way N
Seattle, WA
We heard the Silly Girls, including Julz Lynn, are on their way up there so it should be a fun weekend!
Meow team rider Lacey Baker doing a perfect giant nollie inward heel filmed by Colin Clark.
Follow Colin Clark Films Youtube channel for more great skate videos!
 |
| Adidas Lucas Adv |
 |
| DC Women's Nyjah High-Top |
 |
| Nike SB Dunk Low Pro |
 |
| Puma Suede Classic |
 |
| Vans Sk8-Hi Reissue Ca |
It's been awhile since a female skater has had a skate shoe on the market. In fact I vividly remember the first one Carabeth Burnside did with Vans and I still have it. We were hoping for a Nike SB collab with Leticia Bufoni but that has yet to materialize, but our fingers are crossed!
In the meantime, here are 5 skate shoes that we think you should know about in terms of style & function.
1. Cliche x Adidas x Lucas Adv - this new shoe has just been released and it's a collab with Lucas Puig, Cliche & Adidas - we like the stealth gray suede and the pop of red on the heel patch. Retails for $80
2. The DC Nyjah Women's High-Top - Yep, a Nyjah shoe for women. Let's just go with it OK? A padded hightop that comes in various color ways and is available in women's sizes (which is a rarity in skate shoes) On sale now for $51.99
3. Nike SB Dunk Low Pro - Nike SB has some great shoes - technically sound and variety of colorways, it's just a bummer we can't get one with Leticia's name and input on it. In the meantime this low pro model will tide us over. Retails for $90
4. The Puma Suede Classic - great selection of color ways all in suede, low profile shoe that works well while skating. The price is right too - just $59
5. Vans Sk8-hi Res CA - You really can't ever go wrong with Vans on any level. And this new washed and overdyed denim looking high top is no exception - ankle support, classic old school styling, with a retro look and feel. $80 available at Madewell
Free People Presents: A Day with Kassia Surf from FreePeople on Vimeo.
Pro surfer Kassia Meador is making waves again with her new wetsuit and accessories line. Love that the wetsuits are tie dye - so frigging rad! And you know if Kassia is behind the design, it has to be technically right on as well. Can't wait to get my hands on one.
Watch this behind the scenes video from Free People and Kassia Surf for some awesome weekend inspiration. xx
 |
| The Mega Ramp at Woodward West / Photo via Woodward West |
Most people have seen the x-games and watched the male skaters roll into the huge and ominous Mega Ramp carrying so much speed that their airs on the quarter pipe are the height of tall buildings. We've seen what happens when it all goes well and unfortunately when it sometimes goes wrong. But we always stay tuned and hold our breath, and most of us are thinking, "no way you'd ever get me up there". A few girls over the years have decided that they'd try it as well, breaking boundaries for female skaters everywhere - rad girls like Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins Pastrana, & Alana Smith to name a few.
But times are changing and there are now a couple even younger girls who love the rush they get from riding this beast. Minna Stess and Brighton Zeuner are two girls who are not even in their teens yet who are making their mark and not holding back.
We thought we'd sit down with both Brighton & Minna and discuss what it's really like to ride the mega, why they like it so much & what you need to do if you want to make it one of your goals!
How old are you girls?
Brighton: I’m 10
Minna: I just turned 9 two weeks ago.
How long have you been skating?
Brighton: About 3 years
Minna: Since I was about 2 years old. I was trying to skate in diapers! I did my first skate contest in Hawaii when I was four because that is where I dropped in for the first time!
 |
| Minna & Brighton / Mega Ramp Skaters / Photos by: Joanne Barratt Island Style Images |
Brighton: Encinitas, CA
Minna: Sonoma County NorCal near San Francisco
What is your favorite type of skateboarding?
Brighton: Vert, bowl, street...all of it! I love vert & bowl but recently started skating more street, and really like it. I’ve found it makes me a better all around skater if I skate it all.
Minna: I really like the Megaramp and bowl and street and everything too
Do you remember the first time you saw anyone skate the mega?
Brighton: Yes, I first looked up at the Megaramp when I went to the X Games Big Air in LA in 2012 when all the young guys, Trey Wood, Tom Schaar and Jagger Eaton were competing. I knew them so it made it even more cool to see. I was just a rolling around kind of skateboarder at the time. I was blown away. The summer after that, I really decided that skateboarding was my thing.
Minna: When I was about 2 and a half I saw Bob Burnquist skate the Megaramp in the 3D X-Games movie! I was so excited! I told my mom, “I want to do THAT!” My mom says she didn’t think I would remember that but she is wrong!
What did you think when you watched them skate it?
Brighton: I was stoked. I mean, I knew them, and they were 11 & 12 years old skating that massive ramp with huge gaps with the big guys. That was so cool.
Minna: I was so so so excited!
Brighton: Neal Hendrix invited me and I thought well, I may never get this opportunity again, so I need to take advantage of it. Now I’m hooked. I mean totally hooked!
Minna: I just wanted to do it because it looked like so much fun and it makes you go really fast!
When was the first time you skated the Mega?
Brighton: That was my first time...at the Mega & Vert Getaway Weekend at Woodward.
Minna: The first time I skated the Mega was at Woodward West at camp when I was 7.
Brighton: Yes! I used my mom’s board. It’s bigger with bigger trucks and wheels. We tightened the heck out of the trucks. I also wore more protective gear around my shoulders and back, and wore butt pads. They’re fun to dance in!
Minna: I ride bigger trucks and they are tighter and I have tried with an 8.0 but I like it better with my regular size board which is a 7.5. I also changed out my bushings too. A big thank you to Trey Wood who loaned me a set of hard bushings for the weekend because my soft bushings were totally done! That was really nice of him, he is really really really so nice!
 |
| Minna dropping in and keeping her speed |
Tell us what it was like the very first time you stood at the top of the roll in ramp and looked out at it?
Brighton: I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t intimidating but I was up there with my friends so when they did it, I had to do it. That’s skateboarding.
Minna: It looked really big but I just wanted to do it!
Who was there with you and what advice did they give you when you were up there?
Brighton: Neal Hendrix, Elliot Sloan, Trey Wood and the other Woodward staff members were up there giving all of us tips and encouragement, and saying, “come on, just do it.”
Minna: Emu Haynes, Ava Cavanaugh and Arianna Carmona were all saying, “Come on Minna! You can do it! Just try it!”
 |
| Brighton enjoying the air up there |
Did the gap you have to clear worry you a bit?
Brighton: There’s not a real gap at Woodward. You can roll over it so that makes it less intimidating.
Minna: There is no gap on the Mega at Woodward West, there are 3 different sections to choose from to air up to the landing (where the gap would be but it’s not it’s wood there)
Have you ever done a gap jump before the Mega?
Brighton: I’ve gap’d on a mini mega before, but it is way smaller than this beast.
Minna: I have jumped Euro gaps in skateparks and gaps on the street when I skate with my brother, but not the Mega gap, not YET anyway!
There seems like a lot you have to remember before dropping in right? (Like committing 100%, rolling in fast and keeping your speed, clearing the gap you choose and then hitting the vert wall) How do you keep calm and remember what to focus on?
Brighton: Well, you just need to stay on. There’s really no other choice. I mean, there are places on the ramp where you can bail and go to your knees but that’s no fun because it’s a wasted turn and then you have to go back up the hill and wait your turn again.
Minna: There is a lot but I just think about going for it, think about landing it, stay calm and just try it!
 | |||
| Minna with a big backside air |
Describe what it felt like when you dropped in the very first time?
Brighton: I was like whoa! On my first roll down the Mega, I threw it away and bailed out like a wuss, haha.
Minna: I was like ,” OH YEAAAAH!” It felt so awesome! Exciting!
Did it make you want to do it again and again or was it more like “I’m done, did it and all good”?
Brighton: After that first roll, I couldn’t wait to get back up there. Then it was a race against daylight to get as many runs as possible.
Minna: YES! AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!!! I LOVE THE MEGARAMP!!!!!
Did you get a chance to drop in from the vert section of ¼ pipe?
Brighton: No, I was working on getting over the gap and landing a trick over coping.
Minna: Yes! I dropped in on the 28 foot quarter pipe last summer at camp when I was 8.
It’s 27 or 28 feet with I think 2 feet of vert I think. It felt like I was floating all the way down.My dad took video of me and showed me that I was actually floating in the air for the vert part but I didn’t know it! It was so cool to watch after! It was so so so so so much fun!
Are you practicing any tricks now on the ¼ pipe when you hit it?
Brighton: I stuck to good ole back side airs. TBH, it was easier airing the quarter pipe than kick turning on it.
Minna: I like doing backside airs over coping right now. I want to get them bigger and bigger. Maybe mute airs next and christ airs? I really want to do a full pull next time I am there but for a full pull on mega is getting over the gap first then airing the quarter pipe. That is really my next goal on the mega. 540’s some day soon!!
 | |
| Brighton going for a backside air out of the huge 1/4 pipe |
You were both just at Woodward West for a 3 day vert & mega ramp clinic – were you two the only two girls there?
Brighton: Yes we were the only 2 girls skating that weekend. That’s pretty normal for us.
Minna: yes
I know skating with boys is normal for you girls, but were some boys surprised that girls your age wanted to skate the mega?
Brighton: No, I don’t get that special treatment anymore, haha. I don’t like special treatment just because I’m a girl, or a young kid, so I just skate. They treat me like one of the boys.
Minna: I don’t think so, I’ve skated it since I was 7. Everyone knew I skated the Mega before because of the video that Woodward West made of me last year.
 | |
| Minna & Brighton the only 2 girls at the Mega Ramp weekend |
I remember seeing the first pics of Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins skating Bob Burnquist’s Mega Ramp years ago and I was in awe – not that many girls have done it – or wanted to try it since – why do you think that is?
Brighton: Well, there are only 2 Megaramps that I know of...Bob’s and Woodward’s, so it’s a really special thing to get to skate one. I think if more girls could see ladies like Lyn-Z ripping the Mega at Nitrocircus, there would be more girls heading to Woodward to try it. Alana Smith kills the 2.0 Megaramp, which is the smaller one, and skates against the boys in the Kia Extreme Games and Kimberly Diamond Cup. I really want to go to Woodward East to try that one!
Minna: I don’t know! I’ve ALWAYS wanted to skate it! Lyn-Z is amazing! I have watched a bunch of Nitro Circus videos of her, she is amazing she floats! Bob Burnquist is my favorite skater! I skated on Bob’s mega before and it was awesome too! He even let me try his board on it! His board was way too big for me but it was so much fun to try it at his house on his board on his mega!!!
 |
| A great role model - Lyn-z Adams Hawkins Pastrana ready to drop in on the Mega |
We see the Mega at the X-Games each year and it’s an event people love to watch and there haven’t been any girls competing in that event (yet) – when you are a bit older and
ready, is that something you’d like to do?
Brighton: Oh my gosh, yes! I’d love to add Mega to my bag. It’s so much fun.
Minna: I would love to! Our whole family has gone to X-Games to watch it live a couple of times now! It’s extra amazing to watch when it’s right in front of you!
You girls are both setting a great example for both boys and girls to follow their dreams, what advice do you have for other girls who may want to try and follow in your footsteps and skate the mega ramp?
Brighton: I think you nailed it. Follow your dreams. Think big and go for it. My parents always say Carpe something, haha, I know it’s Carpe Diem. So Seize the Day!
Minna: Don’t be afraid or you could get hurt. Just commit to it and wear full padding!
 |
| Minna getting an ATV ride back to the top to do it all over again |
Any last words or thoughts you’d like to add?
Brighton: If it wasn’t for the awesome Woodward West facility and their staff, we wouldn’t have had this opportunity. So thank you to them for making it happen. A huge thank you to Neal Hendrix, Elliot Sloan and Olivia Reed for putting the event together and inviting me. And thank you Cindy Whitehead for all you do for us girls and caring enough to take the time to share it!
Minna: Skateboarding is fun and if you want to do it you should go do it. It doesn’t matter if you are a girl or a boy. Skate everything and have fun! Thank you Cindy!
Last word from GN4LW - Please check out Woodward West and find out how you can attend one of their amazing skate camps and learn everything from the basics to riding the mega!
Pro skater Julz Lynn has just launched her very own website. You can see where she will be skating, competing, or touring next, check out recent photos & videos, listen to her music tracks, and read recent interviews she has done - like the one we did with her for Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word!
All things Julz in one place - what could be radder? Congrats Julz!
Photo of Elena by Jacob Lambert
Hell Yes! It's happening again, more often that it ever used to and we are stoked! There is a female skater on the cover of Concrete Wave Magazine this month, and on top of that great news is that the sole headline is "Elena Carragall gets the balance right". No other tag lines muddying up the cover, just a pure, awesome shot of Elena speeding down a hill in a tucked position, smiling her butt off, and having fun.
Make sure you grab a copy of Concrete Wave because there are even more girls in this issue - the lovely and rad Valeria Kechichian talks about the new Longboard Girls Crew movie, OPEN, Emma Shoesmith of Board of Media weighs in, there are awesome shots of Lynn Kramer, Rebekka Gemperle, and Pam Diaz sprinkled throughout the magazine and then there is a full length interview with cover girl Elena Carragall.
You don't want to miss reading this issue of Concrete Wave cover to cover! #GirlPower
Skateistan is just growing and growing, and more and more people in the world are now hearing about the awesome things Oliver Percovich and his team are doing in Kabul. Did you know that 45% of the girls in the Skateistan school are girls, and that girls in Afghanistan are not allowed to ride bikes but they can ride skateboards? Their progression in skateboarding is insane!
Skateistan has now expanded and is helping kids in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa using skateboarding as a tool for empowerment.
This past year, London based photographer Jessica Fulford-Dobson was awarded 2nd place in the Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize for one of her amazing shots of these rad skater girls. Jessica now has a full blown exhibition "Skate Girls of Kabul" which opened in London at the Saatchi Gallery on April 15 and runs until April 28 - if you are in the area catch it in person while you can!
You can check out more on Skateistan or donate to help their mission HERE.
Photo: Stu Braun
6 year old Sky totally killing it in our bright pink Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word Beanie. Sky is progressing at such a rapid rate, we can't wait to see what she does next!
 |
| Chula Vista Lonboarding |
 |
| Nwest Media |
When the new Maryhill She Ride event poster was released on social media all we could do was stare at it, the drawing was so realistic and the attention to detail was amazing! It was like you were there. So we set out to find out who did this drawing & we were stoked to discover that it was Carly Bizma who is a downhill skater herself. Read on to hear about how Carly combined her two loves, skateboarding and art, and what she's up to next!
Who's Rad? Carly Bizama aka "Gnarly Carly"
Age? 24
Home is? I'm from Santiago, Chile but my home is in Concord, CA now.
How long have you been skating?
I started skating around 2012 but I didn't get into downhill skating until mid 2013.
What got you into skateboarding?
I always wanted to skate since I was little but always felt it was something I couldn't do. Then when I was about 21 I was going through some hard times and I decided to pick up something new to lift myself up, so I started skating. It turned out to be exactly what I was missing in my life.
 |
| Dual Snap Photography |
Your artwork is amazing - can you tell us how you got started?
I got started very young, when I was about 6 years old I used to draw cartoon network characters and sell them to my classmates haha. I have always loved to draw from pictures so I eventually got into realism.
What is your favorite medium to work with – charcoal, pencil, etc?
By far my favorite is charcoal pencil, I've always loved graphite pencil but using black and white charcoal on toned paper makes the process so much more fun!
 |
| Tabea |
Your charcoal drawings look exactly like photos – in fact I did a double take on a couple of them thinking they were black and white camera shots – how long does it take you to do something as realistic looking as these beautiful pieces?
It depends on the drawing but for example I've made some 8 x 11 drawings in about 15 hours and then some other bigger ones like 18 x 24 in have taken me up to 30 hours or even more.
 |
| Carly's drawing of skateboarder Alicia Fillback |
You have also combined your two loves – skateboarding and art - with the new, and amazing, Maryhill She Ride poster – how did that all come about?
Thanks! Well I did a few drawings of girl skaters that got some attention and from there I was lucky enough to have people from the skating community contact me to draw them their own skate portraits. And so I was commissioned to make the poster for this rad event which by the way it was something I always wanted to do, so it made me really happy when Maryhill Ratz contacted me.
I noticed you also did a design for your grip tape that was stunning – are all your boards custom grip by you?
Thank you! Yes, all of my boards are painted by me, except for my downhill set up since the griptape is too coarse.
What about your helmet – does it have your art work gracing it?
My helmets don't have any art by me yet but that is something I plan to do, I really want to paint my full face helmet at some point.
Will you be competing at Maryhill?
I won't be competing at Maryhill but I will be going to the SheRide and possibly the fall freeride. I just really like to skate for fun and racing is not something that I'm super interested in or I feel ready for right now.
What advice would you give to another girl who wants to get started longboarding?
I would say do it! Be prepared to fall and get back up, don't be shy and reach out to other skaters, challenge yourself, but most importantly have fun!
 |
| Sidney Panelo |
Are there any women out there doing rad things that inspire & motivate you?
Definitely! First one that comes to mind is my friend Alicia Fillback, she is a badass skater and amazing artist too. She is a huge inspiration for me and she is also the first skater I drew! :) She has her own brand The Animus Code worth checking out! Other girls skaters that inspire me are Carmen Shafer, Yvonne Byers and Jennifer Zi; all amazing skaters and people.
Any healthy eating habits that keep you energized you can share with us?
I actually went vegetarian the same week I got my first board, and it has definitely helped me become healthier and feel better about what I eat.
Favorite place you've ever skated?
I can't really think of a single one but my favorite thing to do is to skate in SF, whether at the skatepark or skating hills San Francisco just makes me so happy!
Favorite Trick or maneuver?
I really like sit down slides! Those were the first no hand slides I learned and I just love them, sit down checks just feel so right.
 |
| Sidney Panelo |
Sponsors?
I don't have any sponsors but I would like to give a shout out to Team Killsauce, 1triprotective and Remember Collective who have hooked it up before, thank you! And also to all of my friends that have helped me out with gear at some point. I'm really grateful for all the awesome people that make up the skating community.
Three Things You Don't Know About Me:
1. I was bit by a monkey at the zoo when I was 8 years old.
2. I moved to the US when I was 16 years old and I learn most of the slang from watching Family Guy.
3. I collect books about artists and occasionally children's books when I find they have cool illustrations.
What’s Next?
I don't have many solid plans for the year but I'm hoping to make it to more skate events than last year, make prints of my drawings and I also want to start designing board graphics.
And I would like to add that I'm open more commissions right now so if anyone is interested my email is artbycarlybizama@gmail.com
 |
| Carly's drawing of skateboarder Carmen Shafer |
Make sure you follow Carly at:
Carly's Facebook art page
Instagram @gnarly_x_carly
Tumblr (art blog
The Maryhill She Ride takes place August 15 - 16 - it's a great event bringing together female skaters of all levels for a fun weekend skating the famous Maryhill loop road - to find out more info about the She Ride and sign up, click HERE
Great new video with Nike SB skater Leticia Bufoni and what it was like growing up being a female skateboarder in Brazil and her move to the USA to pursue her dream.
Saturday Inspiration.
Nine year old Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word team rider Minna Stess doing a huge backside air on the Mega Ramp at Woodward West this weekend. Impressive to say the least! Yeah Minna!!