Nike's new DREAM CRAZIER video, narrated by Serena Williams, is everything! If you need some inspiration in your day, just watch it on repeat, because it's that powerful! And since we are all about action sports athletes, make sure you catch Sky Brown skateboarding and Chloe Kim snowboarding.

#JustDoIt
#DreamCrazy
#DreamCrazier

Get ready NYC, we're launching something BIG in your city on Thursday, February 28!!

 More details to come!

*Keep up with all the info on our instagram @girlisnota4letterword

#GIRLSSKATETOO

We are always so stoked when a magazine decides to feature female skateboarders, but we are even more excited when an entire magazine is devoted to their stories and images. Welcome to our new favorite read, OH-SO MAGAZINE!


OH-SO Magazine was founded after the publishers 7-year-old daughter took an interest in skateboarding in the summer of 2018. They started shopping for a board she could skate and learn on—they went to a store and looked for something that appealed to her—but they both noticed that it was a male dominated selection. The daughter asked her dad why she couldn’t find something she liked...so began the search to help her find something she could identify with while she immersed herself in the brief history of female skateboarding.

Ultimately, this led to the development and production of OH-SO, a magazine that celebrates the global female skateboarding scene. They've reached out to many talented individuals, looking to contribute and collaborate along the way, and they will continue to do so to document this journey.

The goal at the magazine is to shed light on the many conversations that are happening in and around women's skateboarding. OH-SO goes behind-the-scenes to give you a first person perspective from the many females who are contributing to the growth in the global skateboarding community -- with a nod to those who paved the way.

Featured in the first issue: Exclusive Interviews with the skate-legend and head of The Alliance, Mimi Knoop. England’s first female pro Lucy Adams who is current chair of Skateboard GB the national federation. After defying gravity, Lizzie Armanto talks us through what really happened in the Loop! Atita Verghese who is using Skateboarding to empower India’s often neglected-women -- Atita is a role model in every sense. These interviews are just a sample of what is happening and who is helping shape the women's skateboarding community...you don't want to miss this issue!

 Order the Premiere Issue of OH-SO!

Paris has said they'd like to include skateboarding in the 2024 Olympic Games.  Now it's up to the International Olympic Committee to decide if they get it.  Paris also wants to include: surfing and sport climbing (which will make an appearance in Tokyo as well) and wait for it ... Breakdancing!  The IOC will consider the proposal and must decide by December 2020. So I guess they plan on seeing how skateboarding does in Tokyo at the 2020 Olympics first - which may be a smart idea. 

This Sunday is the Oscars and MINDING THE GAP is up for Best Documentary. It's been receiving a lot of press lately so you may want to tune in to see if it wins - crossing our fingers!  If you haven't seen this coming of age film, it's a must! Check it out on HULU now.

So... Stumptown Coffee now has a pro skate team and Elissa Steamer is a team rider. They have released this short video trailer for "Breaking the Crust" -  the full-length video will be out next month.  Stumptown has also released a limited cold brew and whole bean coffee, and $1.00 from each bag and can sold, will go back to 3 non-profits - 2 of them being female based; Exposure Skate and Skate Like a Girl. You can also buy a limited edition Stumptown Team Box Set for $29.00

Photo Joanne Barratt

It's that time of year - Vans Girls Combi is almost here! This is one of our absolute favorite contests of the year (it's on it's 8th year!) and so fun to see the female amateurs and pro's compete in this iconic pool. Last year the prize purse was equal to the men's for the first time ever ($65,000) and this year is more of the same except it got even bigger it's a $68,000 prize purse! Huge thanks to Vans for doing this!!

** We have not heard yet if this contest will be on a live web feed, but if we hear any news we will update ASAP!


Date:  March 8-9, 2019

Van's Skate Park
20 City Blvd W # A2,
Orange, CA 92868-3103

WCS is inviting the top girl bowl skaters in the world to compete for a prize purse of $68,000.

The event is sanctioned and organized by World Cup Skateboarding.

18 Girls have been invited for both Am Divisions:
*14 and Under and the Open Amateur (15 and Over)
* The contest will feature a best of 3 run format.

Last year’s Pro Champion, Nicole Haus will be advance directly to the finals along with the top 9 qualifying skaters.

*A best of 3 run format will be used in qualifying.
*A best of 4 run format in the final. 24 Girls have been invited.

Friday, March 8 is check in and organized practice.

The comp will start Saturday, March 9 at 9 AM.

**Please refer to the event schedule below.

DIVISIONS / PURSE

AM – (14 years of age and under – up to 18 skaters, Age refers to the age as of July 1, 2018.)

1st: $1000
2nd: $600
3rd: $400

AM – (Open Amateur 15 years of age and over– up to 18 skaters)

1st: $1000
2nd: $600
3rd: $400

2019 Pro Purse $65,000 !!!

1st $28,000
2nd $14,000
3rd $7,000

4th $3,500
5th $3,000
6th $2,500
7th $2,000
8th $1,800
9th $1,700
10th $1,600


Event info:

- Free skating is now in effect at the park!

- Guest are welcome.

- Areas closed off for contest is outside street course and combi. There are no bleachers, but chairs will be scattered around


Event Schedule

Friday March. 8, 2019

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Registration and Check in

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Practice Amateurs 14 & Under

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Practice Amateurs 15 & Over

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM – Practice Pros

Saturday March 9, 2019

Competition:

Amateur 14 & Under: 20 minute warm-up, – 3 – 40 second runs, best run –Results are final.

9:00 AM - 9:40 AM – Heat 1

9:40 AM – 10:20 AM – Heat 2

10:20 AM – 11:00 AM – Heat 3

Open Am: 20 minute warm-up, – 3 – 40 second runs, best run – Results are final.

11:00 AM – 11:40 AM – Heat 1

11:40 AM – 12:20 PM – Heat 2

12:20 PM – 1:00 PM – Heat 3

Pros: 20 minute warm-up, – 3 – 40 second runs, best run – Top 9 advance to final along with last year’s champion, Nicole Hause.

1:00 PM – 1:40 PM - Heat 1

1:40 PM – 2:20 PM - Heat 2

2:20 PM – 3:00 PM – Heat 3

3:00 PM – 3:40 PM – Heat 4

3:45 PM Pro Finals – best of 4 runs

4:30 PM Awards



*** All info via World Cup Skate

The

Doyenne Skateboards x Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word collab

just launched as part of Doyenne's new Winter Collection and we are so stoked!

The limited edition tee features a picture, circa 1977, of Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word founder, Cindy Whitehead,  screen-printed in lilac on a heavyweight white tee, with the tagline "Women That Made History". When companies like Adobe are using iconic 70's skate images of women like Cindy in their ads without proper credit, this new

Doyenne x GN4LW collab tee

answers back, firmly placing history where it belongs.

You can order the tee online

HERE

  and they ship worldwide - so get yours before they sell out!

Support female skateboarding and wear with pride the name of the women that shaped the history of skateboarding.

Giving Back

: 10% of the cost of the T-Shirt will be donated to Free Movement SB to support their work for refugees youth through skateboarding and education in Athens.

About Doyenne:

Doyenne is a female run company that promotes diversity in skateboarding. Their garments and accessories are ungendered and their mission is to create a bigger space for women, LBGT, POC, and people with disabilities within skateboarding.

We are proud to be doing this collab with a brand whose mission aligns with ours!

P.S.   Doyenne's rad new shop is now open at the Colabs Scotland so if you are near there you must pop in and check it out. It's pretty bitchin and they have apparel, boards, books, magazines and more!

The next Girls Skate Session at The Cove is this Saturday, February 16th from 10am - 12pm. The weather forecast looks good for Saturday!! So keep your fingers crossed.

Here is some exciting news!

Starting in March, the Girls Skate Session at the Cove will be held twice a month. Every 1st and third Saturday from 10am - 12pm.

Please help spread the word and remind anyone new to The Cove that they must register in advance as the Parks & Rec office won't be open at this time.

Location:

The Cove Skatepark
1401 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404


Upcoming Girls Sessions at The Cove:


February 16th
March 2nd
March 16th
April 6th
April 20th

Check out Smoke Season's new video "Up On Me" that features female skateboarders - Lydia Martinez, Marissa Martinez, Felicia the Sk8r, & Kelly Bentovoja.

Love the look of this video - great job!



CREDITS

Director: Natalie Neal
Producer: Natalie Neal
Editing: Gabby Bianco, Natalie Neal, Jason Rosen
Director of Photography: Sean Bagley
Unit B Cinematographer: Daria Rountree
Camera Intern: Spencer Frazen
Colorist: Michael Schatz, Sean Bagley
Wardrobe Styling: Kristin Condia
Hair & Make Up: Andrea Samuels
Assistant Hair & Make up: Brittany Doles
Production Assistants: Camila Contreras, Jack Chown

Starring: Lydia Martinez, Marissa Martinez, Christopher Vick, Felicia the Sk8r, Kelly Bentovoja, Bobby Coyote, Daria Rountree, and Blake Fights as The Trash Queen

Cover Photography: Pedro Martinez

Special thanks to Welcome Skateboards, Underpin PR, TUK Footwear and Copeland Entertainment Produced by Andrew Furze Mixed by Todd Bergman Mastered by Gentry Studer Distributed worldwide courtesy of AWAL

Sabre Norris winning the X-Games Qualifiers in 2018

It's Official!! The Road to X Games: Boise Qualifier is going down June 28-29


PRESS RELEASE

Returning to Rhodes Skate Park in Boise, Idaho for the third consecutive year, the Road to X Games Boise Qualifier will bring the world’s best Skateboard and BMX Park competition June 28 and 29. Last year, more than 12,000 fans attended the two-day event. In addition to Park competitions, the event will again feature an interactive fan village with food, sponsor booths and music.

Streamed live from Rhodes Skate Park in Boise, Idaho, the Park Qualifier will feature three disciplines – Men’s Skateboard Park, Women’s Skateboard Park and BMX Park. The top athletes in each discipline at the Boise Park Qualifier will also receive their invites to Minneapolis. In addition to the live stream, fans can catch the Boise Park Qualifier coverage on ABC as part of the World of X Games content on July 6 as well as coverage across X Games digital and social platforms.


"After two successful Road to X Games Boise Qualifier events, we are excited to work with the team at Boise Parks and Recreation and all local partners to bring an even better experience to fans at Rhodes Skate Park in year three,” said Ryan McGuinness, ESPN X Games director of event development. “The fan engagement at these two events has shown what a great match the Qualifier is for this youthful, active city.”

“Boise is building a national reputation as a welcoming city that appreciates athleticism of all kinds. The Boise CVB is thrilled to welcome back the Road to X Games Park Qualifier to our community this June,” said Carrie Westergard, executive director.

“The Road to X Games: Boise Park Qualifier is a must-see for anyone who enjoys watching athletes compete at the top of their sport,” said Doug Holloway, Boise Parks and Recreation director. “It’s exciting to see local kids take up sports they may never have considered and Rhodes Skate Park is a great venue for that kind of discovery.”

The event is free and open to the public. Boise Parks and Recreation will also offer tickets to premium bleacher seating to watch the competition. More details on ticket sales will be announced soon.


** Last year Sabre Norris showed up and took the win, we are sure that this year will have more surprises in store for the women's event, and we can't wait to watch!

Lizzie Armanto - Transworld Magazine November 2016

Along with all the other nasty news right now about (AMI) American Media's CEO/Chairman, David Pecker, the news about AMI acquiring all the Transworld Magazine titles may have gone unnoticed by most.

Yes, it's true, AMI Publishing purchased The Enthusiast Network (TEN) and Transworld Skateboarding Magazine (TWS) was one of TEN's publications.

We heard that more than half the TEN staff was let go last week, including numerous people in key positions at TWS and rumors are swirling today that AMI has shuttered Transworld Skateboarding Magazine for good - we are not sure if that last part is fact.

Transworld's Wikipedia page latest update states (using the past tense "was"):


       "Transworld Skateboarding (TWS) was an international magazine on skateboarding that was based in Carlsbad, California. The publication also ran an accompanying website and video production company. As of February 2019, the publication was killed by the American Media, LLC alongside other Transworld publications." 


Transworld Skateboarding Magazine has been around for thirty-five years now and we were so happy when they did that awesome issue full of women skaters, with pro skater, Lizzie Armanto, on the cover in November 2016 - that sold out immediately.

Sky & Quinne with the November issue of Transworld Skateboarding Magazine 

We gotta be honest here - we LOVE print publications. The internet is great and awesome for fast info like contest results or breaking news, but there is nothing like holding a magazine in your hands and thumbing through the pages or pinning inspiring pictures on your wall.

If the rumor is true, we are sorry to see Transworld Skateboarding Magazine go, they were an integral part of the skate community for so long and a lot of great people are now out of jobs. If it's not true, buy the mag, or subscribe and support!





Let's try & keep print ALIVE by supporting the magazines we do have left, and the new ones just starting up.

Here are a few new print magazine publications that we love and that we feel deserve your support!

You can order them online via the links below.

SKATEISM

OH-SO MAGAZINE

QUELL

Photo and info via WCS

Simple Session was held this past weekend in Tallinn, Estonia and the women's results are in! Sky Brown from Japan took 1st, Keet Oldenbeuving from the Netherlands in 2nd and Ksenia Maricheva took home the 3rd place medal.

Seven female rippers were there to battle it out for podium placements  - but no one from the USA showed up to compete in the women's event, although there were plenty of USA men there skating - if anyone knows why, please let us know!



RESULTS

1 Sky Brown JPN
2 Keet Oldenbeuving NED
3 Ksenia Maricheva RUS


4 Kate Shengelya RUS
5 Enni Kalilainen FIN
6 Aleksandra Petrova RUS
7 Heini Luotola FIN

Bryce Wettstein  /  Photo Bryce Kanights

Bryce Wettstein's "Welcome to the Triple 8 Team" video just launched! We love Bryce and are excited to hear that she's skating for Triple 8 Helmets now. Watch the video to learn more about Bryce, see her skate (badass!) and find out what her passions are outside of skating - some of them may just surprise you!

Girls Skate Sesh... with Briana King!  This is one girls skate sesh you don't want to miss - Briana King is having an all girls skate sesh on February 12 from 7:30-10 PM at El Serano Skatepark. There will be cute gifts from Hot Lava, and if you don't have a board to skate on, don't stress - there will be extra boards to try out and learn on.

All levels are welcome so come on out, meet some new girls and have some fun!

February 12, 2019
7:30 PM -10 PM

El Serano Skatepark
4721 Klamath Place,
Los Angeles

 

Aori Nishimura at last years Dew Tour - photo & info Via Dour Tour

Get ready ladies - the Dew Tour is back and for the second year the women will be competing again in their own division at the event in Long Beach, CA!

The annual Dew Tour, presented by TEN: The Enthusiast Network and Mountain DewⓇ, announced today that it will return to Long Beach, Calif. for its fourth consecutive year, June 13-16, 2019. The FREE four-day event is a celebration of skateboarding competition, culture and creators and will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center and Rainbow Park Lagoon.

More than 80 of the world’s top pro male and female skateboarders will compete in team and pro and amateur individual competitions in Team Challenge and individual Park and Street events. Dew Tour also includes the Dew Tour Experience, a vibrant interactive sponsor village; and, Dew Tour on the Green, the festival with outdoor music, local food and drink vendors and lifestyle activations including a public skate park. Various activations incorporating the Long Beach community will also be featured throughout the weekend through local nonprofit partners.

Dew Tour will be televised nationally on NBC and live-streamed on dewtour.com, Facebook Live, Youtube and other major platforms.

“We are so happy to return to Long Beach, a community that is known worldwide for its fantastic skateboard culture,” said Adam Cozens, Dew Tour Vice President and General Manager. “The past three years have been a solid collaboration with local businesses and the greater skateboarding community who have welcomed us to their city. Each year, our fans come out in volume and embrace not only the competitions and athletes, but also the art and culture that is so important to skateboarding. The athletes and our staff love Long Beach and we look forward to returning in June.”

Skateboarding will be an Olympic sport starting at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, and will include men’s and women’s skateboard street and park competitions.

SPONSORS

Complete details on the 2019 Dew Tour in Long Beach will be available at DewTour.com, the Dew Tour app, as well as on social platforms Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

About Dew Tour

Dew Tour is an innovative contest series and content platform that brings together the world’s best skateboarders, snowboarders, skiers, artists, brands and fans in a celebration of creativity and style.

In 2016, TEN: The Enthusiast Network became the official strategic partner to lead content production, execution and event staging for the Dew Tour. Working in close collaboration with TEN’s core action sports media brands and in partnership with DEW®, Dew Tour continues to progress events and content, bringing millions of action sports fans engaging stories and experiences across digital and broadcast mediums. In addition to Dewtour.com and TEN’s digital network, Dew Tour’s summer and winter events are telecast on NBC.

One of our fave skaters to watch, Yndiara Asp, in this new video by Vans! Love that Vans is highlighting all these female skaters!

We are so stoked to see our rad 10-year-old skater/artist friend Lola Glass on this show! Arte goes behind the scenes with Lola to her home in Brooklyn, meets her family, checks out her cool room (we love the "It's Not About Pretty" poster and the GN4LW "Girl Power" board!). Lola then shows us around Brooklyn where her current mural resides, and we get a glimpse of her skateboarding at her local skate spot as well.

This video is in French because Lola has dual citizenship and speaks both fluent English & French - pretty cool!

Congrats Lola - we love the video!

2018 Champion Brighton Zeuner - Photo Acosta

Looks like the women will now compete on every stop on the VPS tour - same as the guys! This is such great news, along with equal prize money - we couldn't ask for a better year for the ladies in skateboarding!

And for the very first time,  the championships will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah - AND there is no VPS tour stop in Huntington Beach either - that's a huge change!


Costa Mesa, CALIF. (January 23, 2019) – Vans Park Series, the premier park terrain skateboarding tour in the world, today announced the 2019 Pro Tour schedule. Anticipating another historic season in competitive skateboarding culminating into the World Championships, the Vans Park Series (VPS) will touch down in five major countries this year, expanding its programming to equally represent four global Pro Tour qualifiers for men and women, and sustaining its commitment to endorsing prize parity for both divisions.

“Our mission to inspire youth and grow skateboarding participation around the world by promoting skateboarding’s unique and creative culture remains our number one goal,” said Bobby Gascon, global director of action sports, Vans. “With Vans Park Series now in its fourth consecutive year, we are dedicated to growing the foundation for park terrain skateboarding competition and cultivating an elite class of professional athletes who are deserving of international recognition.”

The 2019 VPS World Championships will be hosted for the first time on American soil in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 7. The prospective 2019 men’s and women’s park terrain skateboarding world champions will be crowned before a roaring live audience at Utah State Fairpark. With a premium live webcast produced at every stop, the Vans Park Series will bring an exhilarating competitive skateboarding showcase for local spectators and fans abroad.

Further cementing the series’ mission to grow skateboarding participation worldwide, Vans Park Series plans to support the ongoing development of skate communities through the construction and donation of three state-of-the-art, VPS-certified park terrain skate facilities at select 2019 VPS Pro Tour locations. More details are to be announced on www.vansparkseries.com.



2019 VANS PARK SERIES PRO TOUR SCHEDULE

Pro Tour

Shanghai, China
May 18, 2019

São Paulo, Brazil
June 22, 2019

Montreal, Canada
July 13, 2019

Paris-Chelles, France
August 10, 2019

World Championships

Salt Lake City, Utah
September 7, 2019



Known for its unrivaled combination of speed, style, flow, amplitude and creativity, park terrain is the fastest growing discipline in competitive skateboarding today. The Vans Park Series has made historic progress in the evolution of professional skateboarding and champions its reputation as the first premier league for the park terrain skateboarding discipline. From crowning new Park Terrain World Champions every year since 2016, to building the first-ever VPS-certified park terrain skatepark in the world, Vans Park Series sustains its commitment to growing the participation of skateboarding worldwide, and will continue to promote skateboarding’s creative culture for future generations. Visit vansparkseries.com to learn more.



ABOUT VANS PARK SERIES

The 2019 Vans Park Series Pro Tour is the premier competitive platform for professional park terrain skateboarding. Spanning five countries over a five-month season, the series features four global qualifiers for men and women, and culminates with the official Vans Park Series World Championships to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah in September. Showcasing an international roster of skateboarding’s elite pros, Vans Park Series awards a total series purse in excess of $700,000(USD) and advocates its principal commitment to prize parity for men and women.



Established in 2016, Vans Park Series’ mission is to inspire youth and grow skateboarding participation worldwide by defining a global foundation for park terrain competition that promotes the creative culture of skateboarding. Vans Park Series uniquely defines the park terrain format with its exclusive points system, judging guidelines and qualifying park terrain course criteria. Additional information and live webcast details will be available on the official Vans Park Series iOS app and online.



Follow the Vans Park Series on social media or sign up online now for the latest information on Vans Park Series events.

Congrats to Alexis Sablone for joining the Converse Cons Skate team!!  Check out this short video they did for Alexis. Nice to see more companies sponsoring pro female skaters!

The Academy Awards Nominations were just announced this morning and Bing Liu's skateboarding/coming of age film "Minding the Gap" is up for an Oscar in the category of Best Documentary Feature. It was nominated along with four other noteworthy films including two of our other faves (not skateboard related) "Free Solo" and "RGB".

"Minding the Gap" isn't about female skaters, but is a great story nonetheless and well worth watching.  We would have loved seeing "The Skate Kitchen" film be included in the nominations, but if we can't have that, then at least a movie involving skateboarding got nominated - that's huge!

You can watch "Minding the Gap" on HULU - but please be advised that some subject matter is tough to watch and may not be suitable for younger children.

The rain here in Southern California is clearing up just in time for Saturday's Girls Session at The Cove Skate park!

Girls Skate Session at The Cove is THIS Saturday, January 19th from 10am - 12pm.

Please Note!  If you are new to The Cove you must register in advance as the Parks & Rec office won't be open at this time.