Photos

Ian Logan

We spent an awesome Friday evening at

Flower Child Restaurant

in Santa Monica having a rad Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word party and photo shoot.  And now we are excited to announce that

Flower Child Restaurant

will be partnering with us in two incredible ways.

Pro skateboarder and X-Games Bronze medalist (Austin, Texas -Women's Bowl) Jordyn Barratt will receive a full sponsorship to the new Del Mar location so she can continue training and eating healthy in her quest for a great upcoming 2017 year of competing in both surf and skate. Jordyn is all about healthy eating, and this sponsorship will make it easy for her to stick to it, day in and day out.

Longboarder Amanda "Panda" Caolio will be sponsored by the Santa Monica location, so she can keep skating strong, kicking ass, and killing it on her board. Amanda is all about organic produce, connecting with local farmers, respect of animals, and tasty treats. Because of Flower Child's philosophy, which matches hers, she has been a fan of the Santa Monica location for quite awhile - it has been her "go to" spot after skating and surfing most days. We couldn't think of a better fit!

If you know these two rad girls, make sure you ask them if you can come along for a meal - you'll receive 10% off your order with their friends and family discount code!

Coming up in June 2017, 

Flower Child

will be partnering directly with Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word, to help us achieve some of our upcoming goals for girls in skateboarding - we can't wait to share more on that with you as we get closer and start rolling out the campaign via social media and our website!

Huge thanks to everyone involved with

Flower Child Restaurants

, our rad skater and surfer girls; Amanda Caolio, Jordyn Barratt, Kyra Williams, Vianez Morales, Minna Stess, Quinne Daniels, Sky Brown, Leah Ho, Emma Houle,  and Zoe Herishen, their parents, and especially photographer, Ian Logan for capturing the party!

Get ready for JOY & SORROW, a new film about Japaneses skater girls set to be released Summer 2017. Yuri Murai has been releasing a new film about skater girls in Japan every 2 years since 2012, and this will be the third film. Turns out there are over 60 female skaters from all over Japan in this film - that shows us that we are still not seeing coverage or hearing about all the rad girls skating there. We are excited to see this movie!!

We are stoked to see team rider Minna Stess featured in the new Athleta Girl catalog, website and on the Athleta Instagram page today! Minna has had a couple big weeks - winning bowl at Exposure skate for under 14, taking 3rd in under 14 vert, and 4th in under 14 street. Her part in the film Quit Your Day Job was shown later that night to a packed crowd. Days later she was featured on TWS website, and this week appeared on espnW in an article about Exposure Skate. And today Athleta. Congrats Minna!

We are super stoked to see Exposure Skate featured on espnW today!  The lead pic is of our awesome team rider Minna Stess, and we loved seeing our rad little friend Quinne Daniels repping our line as well!  More great action photos of Jordyn Barratt by Dan Sparagna and another rad shot by Ian Logan of Australia's Sari Simpson are included in the piece.

See more of espnW's article about Exposure Skate  HERE

Photos Ian Logan & Stu Brown / Video Stu Brown

Name:   Sky Brown

Status:  AM Skater 

Home:    Miyazaki City, Japan

Age: 8

Favorite Skate Spots:    AWSM Shred Center, Treasure Isle Bowl, Venice SkatePark

Favorite Trick:  Frontside Boardslides, Boneleses, Flips and Blunts.... 

Favorite Music:   Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Ellie Rose, Blink 182 

Favorite Food:   Noodles, Lasagne, Ice Cream and Candy

Sponsors:    Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word, Dwindle Distribution, Globe Shoes,  Pridesocks

Follow: Instagram  @AWSMKIDS on instagram & here on YouTube 


Sky has been featured on numerous TV shows, news channels, and was recently the focus of an 8 page article for "Girls Who Ride" Magazine on "Young Rippers" and is featured in the new photo essay by Christin Rose #ShePlaysWeWin. Sky can be seen in upcoming spots on GN4LW for LIFETIME TV.

Sky is the youngest girl ever to skate in the Vans US Open of Skateboarding.

Photo Ian Logan for Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word

Photo Ian Logan

Ten year old Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word team rider, Minna Stess, not only skated in all three events (bowl, street and vert) at the Exposure contest last weekend, but she placed in the top five for under 14 in all three. Minna took 1st in bowl, 3rd in Vert, and 4th in street. So that is what is known as an  "ATV" in skateboarding contests - a skater who skates all terrain equally well.

Leticia Goncalves came all the way from Brazil and took home ATV status for the 15 and up age group. Leticia showed the huge crowd what makes her such a favorite in Brazil, with her smooth, attacking style and consistency across all 3 events. The Brazilian ripper took home 2nd in vert, 4th in bowl and 7th in street.

Congrats Minna & Leticia!!

photo via @PattyHuntington instagram

Backstage Access - Poppy's Faith Connexion Outfit  / Photo via @pero_k instagram

Super star model Jacquelyn Jablonski

Poppy on left skating through the "Hubba Hideout" during the show

The stage was a replica of San Francisco's "Hubba Hideout" / photo via @theeventgroup instagram

Last night in Sydney, Australia was one for the books. Pro skateboarder Poppy Starr Olsen opened the Faith Connexion fashion show at MADE Sydney presented by Mercedes Benz. Under the direction of legendary pro skateboarder Corbin Harris, Poppy's entrance and opener for the show was spectacular. It's not every day you see a 16 year old blonde skater girl in upscale grunge/rad fashion come flying onto a runway, launching off the stairway ledge, right before the models step out. A great way to start and end the show.  Congrats Poppy!

Nothing beats skating with a friend. Jordyn Barratt and Hunter Long with a nice doubles night session at Volcom Skatepark in Costa Mesa.  Filmed by Colin Clark for The Ride Channel. Stoked to see this!!

Photo credit @double_rainbouu

Poppy Starr Olsen  / Photo Ian Logan

If you're in Sydney, Australia you don't want to miss this on Saturday night!  Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word team rider, Poppy Starr Olsen, is opening the Faith Connexion show during MADE Sydney, presented by Mercedes Benz. Poppy will be skating in the show while the models walk the runway.  The show will take place on the co-designed replica of the famous San Francisco skate spot, the "Hubba Hideout".

Faith Connexion is known for its grungy fits and customized army jackets.  It is worn and loved by celebrities such as, Rihanna and Beyonce. The French design collective brings together high fashion's obsession with skate and art culture.

The show takes place at the Carriageworks on Saturday at 6 PM and you can buy tickets at the door

MADE Sydney
Carriageworks
245 Wilson Street
Eveleigh, Sydney
Show starts at 6:00 PM

There will also be live Graffiti, food trucks and bars on site.

Street Angel art and concept by Jim Rugg

Street Angel (Short Film, 2008) from Lucas Testro on Vimeo.


We are proud to say that bad ass skater girl girl Jesse "Street Angel" Sanchez is wearing Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word tees in the latest episodes of the comic created by artist Jim Rugg.

*You can get those badass "Girl is NOT a 4 Letter" tees Jesse is wearing on our GN4LW online shop 

Jesse “Street Angel” Sanchez is the deadliest girl alive, a kung fu master on a skateboard, and a homeless orphan failing 8th grade. She’s 12 or 13 years old. No one knows for sure because no one knows when her birthday is, including her.   In Wilkesborough, Angel City’s worst ghetto, Jesse Sanchez fights ninjas, drugs, nepotism, and pre-algebra as — STREET ANGEL!

If you watch the short video above we have to say that Jesse reminds us a bit of our team rider Poppy Starr Olsen!

A hardcover graphic novel of her adventures is now available from AdHouse Books and wherever books are sold.

You can see more Street Angel art here.

For the latest Street Angel news and updates check out:

Twitter: @jimrugg​
Facebook: JimRuggArt
Instagram: jimruggart
Tumblr: jimrugg

NEW COMICS: Mondays and Thursdays

SAVE THE DATE: LADIES DAY AT THE BERRICS NOVEMBER 12, 2016!!

The Poseiden Foundation's Ladies Day at The Berrics is always amazing, but this year it gets even better! This year they've  changed the contest format, added a Pro Division Best Trick $3,000 Prize Purse, Open Class and 13-under Best Trick 1,000+ in Prizes! And Poseiden Foundation along with The Berrics have increased the amount of #sponsors donating towards this year's awesome prizes and giveaways!

So make sure you:

 RSVP: https://goo.gl/forms/aqj5ee147N5pkMAe2

*Bring a canned food item, donate skateboard equipment, or make a monetary donation.


See you there!!

2016 Exposure from Dan on Vimeo.


Filmer Dan Bourqui just put up a great recap video on Exposure 2016 - sit back and watch some great girls skateboarding! If you were there last weekend,  you'll love seeing it again, and if you missed this awesome event you'll watch this video and mark your calendar to be there in person next year!

Thanks for the share Dan, and for all you do for girls skateboarding!

Video by Kate Adams  / Photos Christin Rose

We love this new collab between Vans x Natalie Westling for the custom SK8-HI Reissue DX! But whats' even cooler, is that our rad friend Christin Rose from #Sheplayswewin shot it in NYC, with some of our favorite little skater girls!  The GRO crew was out in full force -  Zoe Herishen, Ashima Aggarwal, Berit Gaughran & Bombette Martin are all featured in this campaign.

Check out the rest over at the Opening Ceremony Blog 

A big part of the mission of Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word is speaking out about gender equality and seeing what we can do do in positive ways to help change the status quo in action sports. We are very proud to be part of this ATTN: video "No Sport is Just For Boys" that highlights our founder Cindy Whitehead, and our team rider Sky, showing just how far girls skateboarding has come since the 70's when Cindy was a pro skateboarder.  Things are changing rapidly, and for the better!

Thank you to the entire team at ATTN:  we are forever grateful for this opportunity!

Lizzie Armanto

Ariana Carmona

Sarah  Thompson

Allysha Le

Jordyn Barratt

Bryce Wettstein

Kat Folsom

Brighton Zeuner

Michelle Yoon

Minna Stess

Emma Houle

Sari Simpson

Leah Ho

Minna Stess

Sarah Thompson

Hunter Long

Hanna Zanzi

Nicole Hause

Brighton Zeuner

Julz Lynn

Photos by Ian Logan

When over 100 girls from all over the world, turn up to skate, you know it's going to be a good day. Exposure, held in Encinitas, California was the mecca of women's skateboarding this past weekend. From Pro to AM, and even some tiny little beginners in the mix, the day was full of girls skating and cheering each other on, getting autographs from their favorite skaters, shopping the vendor village, eating great food, and watching the action unfold.

It really didn't matter so much who won, what mattered to most of the girls was getting a chance to skate with so many other girls juts like themselves, and connecting in person with those they may only know via social media, and it was also about having a lot of fun.

It was also about giving back, every year Exposure raises money for Carol's House, a non-profit that helps women and families affected by domestic violence.  This year a check for $5,000 was presented to Carol's House, with even more donations still being collected throughout the day. Pretty awesome to see.

We'd like to thank Amelia Brodka and Lesli Cohen for putting this event on year after year. It always seems like it just can't get any better than it already is, but somehow it does! Every year brings more girls, more vendors, and bigger prize purses, it really is amazing!  Everything has been thought through and the day runs so smoothly. Not an easy feat with an event this large.

Huge thanks to everyone on the Exposure team and the volunteers, who work months and months in advance to make sure this event runs smoothly - you are all amazing, so thank you for all you do for girls skateboarding. We appreciate you all!


Podium Results:

14 and Under Street 1st Kendra Long, 2nd Liv Lovelace, 3rd Poe Pinson

14 & Under Vert: 1st Sierra Kerr, 2nd Grace Marhoefer, 3rd Minna Stess

14 and Under Bowl 1st Minna Stess, 2nd Zoe Safanda, 3rd Spencer Breaux

15 and Over Vert 1st Sari Simpson, 2nd Leticia Goncalves, 3rd Amar Hadid

15 and Over Bowl 1st Kihana Ogawa, 2nd Garbrielle Brownfield, 3rd Sari Simpson

15 and Over Street 1st Hayley Wilson, 2nd Lily Mc Elligot, 3rd Hannah Tallman

Pro Vert 1st Lizzie Armanto, 2nd Jordyn Barratt, 3rd Nicole Hause, 4th Brighton Zeuner

Pro Bowl 1st Brighton Zeuner, 2nd Jordyn Barratt, 3rd Hanna Zanzi, 4th Nicole Hause, 5th Allysha Le (not pictured),  6th Sarah Thompson

Pro Street  1st Alexis Sablone, 2nd Mariah Duran, 3rd Jenn Soto

For a full list of all competition results please jump over to The Boardr 

This video was sent to us this morning, and we felt with the election right around the corner, we needed to post. With our company name being "Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word" I think you already know our position on the election and the comments Donald Trump has been making. Let's just say "We are with HER".

“Women Against Trump” a film for London-based skateboard company Hateboards directed by The Rig Out at B-Reel Films.

Hateboards officially launches this week selling a series of skatedecks whose undersides - the part that inevitably gets destroyed by flips and grinds - are plastered with the faces of celebrities and politicians we all love to hate. Just in time for the US Elections next week, the film launches the brand’s exclusive presidential deck “Despicable Donald Trump”.

B-Reel Films’ The Rig Out enlisted the UK’s fiercest young female skaters to tackle the presidential candidate’s objectification of women with some serious board bashing. #WomenAgainstTrump #SkateAgainstTrump #VoteAgainstTrump

The film features:

SAVANNAH KEENAN / Instagram / Twitter @savannahssk
SAM BRUCE / Instagram @sam_bruce_skates
GEORGIE WINTER / Instagram @gwinter3
PAULA VIIDU / Instagram @paulaviidu

Photo by Chrsitin Rose for GN4LW for LifetimeTV

Photo by Chrsitin Rose for GN4LW for LifetimeTV - Team rider Sky and Quinne rocking our kids line

Photo Ian Logan for GN4LW for LifetimeTV -  Team Rider Minna wearing the new logo tee & our vintage flannel

A small sampling of what's on the site

Our Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word online shop is fully stocked right now - we have even brought back some of your retro favorites - like the reversible tote bag that is water resistant and holds up to 40 lbs, and a crowd favorite, the "Arizona Pipes" tee. And we have added new pieces, like our kids "new logo" tee!

Now's the time to stock up on your favorites, as the holidays are coming quick! You can see the entire line HERE

*Proceeds from sales of our apparel & collab skateboards go back into girls skateboarding by giving back to various 510c3 nonprofits that support girls in action sports, (501c3 non-profits, GRO, Poseiden Foundation,  and Exposure Skate have all been recipients of this program) We also use funds to support our pro team riders, sponsor contests that support girls skateboarding, & we like to donate to various "Go Fund Me" projects that girls in skateboarding create, to film, travel and create female skate media - which we believe is a great thing!

Have a project you are working on that needs help or visibility ? Hit us up at pr@girlisnota4letterword.com we are always happy to see what we can do to help!

Photo Darren Pateman

Photo Brett Costello - Isabella Nichols, Coco Ho, Sabre and Sally Fitzgibbons

At age nine, Sabre Norris set a world record  by being the first Aussie girl to do a 540 in skateboarding (and the 3rd girl in the world to accomplish this feat), but she isn't stopping there. Sabre is now officially the youngest surfer to earn a wildcard spot in a major Australian surfing event!

Eleven year old Sabre was given the "wild card" slot by promoter Sally Fitzgibbons to compete at the Sydney International Women's Pro. The word "given" should not be taken lightly, Sally Fitzgibbons is a top pro surfer herself and knows talent when she sees it, this young girl has earned her rightful place among surfers who are most times,  more than twice her age.

With surfing and skateboarding being included into the 2020 Olympics, is it possible that Sabre Norris, who will be 15 by then, will compete in both sports? We have four years to wait and watch, but with the records this young girl has been shattering, I wouldn't bet against her!

Go Sabre!

Exposure Skate is hands down one of our favorite contests of the year. This girls and women's only skate contest draws in female skateboarders from all over the world to compete in vert, bowl and street. There are Pro and Am divisions, a yoga clinic, skateboard lessons, vendor booths, autograph sessions, food, music, and best of all, tons of female skateboarders.

For girls in skateboarding this event is like a family reunion, as it's the one time you get to see all the girls together in one place. You also get to connect with girls who live half way across the world that you may only know from social media. The skating is insane, and it's just a really fun day with friends.

See you there!  xx

Seasan Two of Thrasher's King of the Road,  has 3 rad ladies as the mystery guests this time around - Samarria Brevard, Nora Vasconcellos, and Lacey Baker will be guests for the Enjoi, Creature and Deathwish teams. Check out what the girls strengths (and weakness's are), and their stats HERE.