Photo Chris Hooten

Photo Ian Logan

Pioneer Gale Webb was given the ICON award at Skateboarding Hall of Fame this year - a well-deserved honor and one that in our opinion, was long overdue. This lady has been fearlessly leading the charge for kids skateboarding since the '70s and without her, a lot of us wouldn't be the skaters we are. Her motto has always been "get high on sports" "never give up" and "follow your dreams". Gale has done just that her entire life - from racing motocross, to snowboarding, to skateboarding half-pipes to skydiving, Gale has excelled in it all. So honored to see this moment in skateboard history.

Desiree Von Essen Harrington competed and excelled in both slalom and freestyle back in the mid '70s. She also liked to soul surf at her favorite place the Spillway, hitting the banked walls with style and grace. She was featured in Skateboarder Magazine in a "Who's Hot" back in 1976 and appeared on The Perry Como TV Special (as Desiree said in her induction speech, "being on that show back in the day is comparable to being on the Ellen show now") during the time she skateboarded.  Later in life Desiree taught skiing in Colorado and has kept up the active action sports lifestyle she loves with mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding.

Edie Robertson skated for Sims in the mid-'70s. She did slalom, freestyle and also rode pools. This Santa Barbara native was also in the movie SKATEBOARD back in the day. When Tom Sims developed his Sims/Barfoot snowboard in 1978 Edie was the first girl to ride powder on what was to become the new craze, snowboarding. Later Edie went on to be the lead singer of an all-girl punk band Sherock that was the first American rock band to tour and record an album in China. She now is a well known private chef in her hometown of Santa Barbara and sings with her band Jayne Wayne.

Thanks to Skateboarding Hall of Fame for an amazing night that was held at The Globe Theater in Downtown Los Angeles and hosted by Adidas, Vans and IASC.

When you are in or near Los Angeles, make sure you check out the  Skateboard Hall of Fame Mueum in Simi Valley - it's brand new, beautiful and chock full of skate history!


2019 Skateboarding Hall of Fame Inductees

Gale Webb - Icon Award
Cris Dawson
Kevin "The Worm" Anderson
Desiree Von Essen Harrington
Edie Robertson
Val Surf - Icon Award
Tom "Wally" Inouye
Ray "Bones" Rodriguez
Micke Alba
Jeff Phillips
Kona Skatepark - Icon Award
Jason Lee

Kamali

We've been a fan of director Sasha Rainbow since we saw British band Wild Beast’s music
video ‘Alpha Female’ that she directed. The video, filmed in India was about girls breaking gender stereotypes through skateboarding. And it was so powerful taht we watched it on repeat for months!

Now Sasha has a new film out, "KAMALI".  The film recently won Best Short Documentary at Academy Award qualifying Atlanta and also Best Director at Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival, and it's headed to win more awards by the looks of it.

Watch the trailer for KAMALI here

Seven-year-old Kamali is the only girl skateboarder in a small fishing village in India where, by chance, a skate ramp happened to be built right outside her house. Kamali is the youngest of three generations of women living together in her home. Suganthi, Kamali’s timorous mother, was locked away as a child until the day she was married. Having recently found the courage to leave her abusive
husband, Suganthi decides to take a pilgrimage in a quest for self-discovery. As mother and daughter are separated for the first time, both must find their freedom as they dare to step outside into a man’s world.


The film, shot in the traditional fishing village of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, follows the story of
Kamali Prakash, a charismatic seven-year-old making waves in her village, the skating community, and soon, worldwide. Kamali and her family open their doors into the rarely seen world of a traditional Indian fishing family trying to create a positive future for themselves.

photo of Kamali by Daniel Kagoo

"Kamali’s story represents an incredible moment in India and shows how massive change can start with just one person. I wanted to create a film that celebrates everyone who takes the risk to be themselves. I believe skateboarding is a symbol of going against the grain, standing boldly in front of society and taking ownership of one’s life. I feel that Kamali’s mother Suganthi, and others like her, hidden by the walls of their homes, are heroes who should be celebrated for their quiet bravery.
I hope this film does just that."

~ Sasha Rainbow

Q&A with director Sasha Rainbow and her film KAMALI

What brought you to make the Kamali documentary?

It was by chance that I met Suganthi, Kamali’s mother, while shooting the Alpha Female music video for Wild Beasts about the new female skateboarding movement in India. Suganthi’s fight to empower her daughter was incredibly moving and I felt it was important to share her story.

What’s the message you wanted to get across though this?

I think in the current political climate people need to be reminded that there are incredible, positive things going on that can create a wave of inspiration. I wanted to create a film that celebrates the risk people take to live their truth, despite all odds and show how great change can start with just one person.

How was your overall experience of India?

This was my third time in India; each time has been a different experience! We were lucky in that
Kamali’s family really took us in. We experienced home cooking on an open fire, hidden villages, local markets.I wouldn’t say it’s the easiest place to work, but the people, the food (best vegetarian in the world), the colours and the music...it’s such a special place.

What are your thoughts of the skateboarding scene in India?

I sense such community there. It feels like the skateboard crew Holystoked have built a community where people feel they can be themselves and express themselves without judgement. Skateboarding is a symbol for these women, a symbol of going against the grain, standing boldly in front of
society and taking ownership of their lives. It symbolizes freedom and choices for these young girls, and it’s awesome to see just how much it’s helping these girls develop their confidence, and how much the men have supported the women.

Do you have a message you’d like to share?

Every one is a winner when women are emancipated

 Billabong, unveils their latest female content series for 2019, "Know the Feeling." The progressive video series features multiple female surfers, including world-renowned athlete Laura Enever, as well as three young women, Monica Guo, Meryem El Gardoum and Natasha Sand, who are pioneering women's surfing in China, Morocco and Sri Lanka.

Shot in each of the women's hometowns, the campaign shares both the inspiring women's stories of breaking through cultural norms to become surfers and also a local perspective on the food, environment, and people that make their surf community unique.

The "Know the Feeling" video series is about the magic of the ocean that connects us all. It's for the women who see the sea not as limiting, but as an invitation. This latest campaign from Billabong showcases the power of what surfing can bring to an individual and community, and how wherever our travels take us, no matter what language you may speak, in the ocean we are all connected with the same voice. The bond we forge across the sea is a freedom, a familiarity. And when you feel it, you'll know.

"Know the Feeling" can be viewed this season by heading to the Billabong Women's YouTube channel, where the four-part series will debut - we've posted the first two here but Sri Lanka and China are still to come - we can't wait!






The product featured in the campaign is from the latest Summer 2019 collection and is available at Billabong.com. For more information and to shop the latest collection of swimwear, visit the site, or follow the brand on Instagram @BillabongWomens.

Happy Monday - hope you are as inspired now to jump into the week as we are!

Bryce Wettstein has a new edit out for 2019. Give it a watch and see what this newly minted USA National Team rider has been up to as she prepares for a full season of comps leading up to the 2020 Olympics!

Brighton Zeuner 2018 World Champion ~ Photo Acosta

Watch the official VPS 2019 trailer

Costa Mesa, CALIF. (April 30, 2019) – Returning for a fourth season of historic skateboarding competition, Vans Park Series reveals the official 2019 VPS Pro Tour roster, set to showcase the largest, most sought-after field of exciting park terrain talent from around the world—featuring the top-ranking men and women pros from the 2018 season, along with new Tour Challengers and Wildcards. VPS Select Pros in the men’s division are pre-seeded directly into the semi-finals at every VPS Pro Tour qualifying event, to be met by qualifying Tour Challengers who are in pursuit of valuable points toward their final year-end rankings and a chance to compete in the 2019 VPS World Championships in Salt Lake City, USA. For the first stop of 2019, competitors will head back to Shanghai, China on May 17, for their first chance to build their tour rankings.

Vans Park Series remains committed to endorsing prize parity for men and women at every stop this year. Expanding the opportunity for women talent even further, the 2019 VPS Women’s Pro Tour stops are open for registration at all Pro Tour locations, to present a truly international and diverse range of talent in the women’s field. Prospective women’s competitors are encouraged to enter here. See below for the full list of invitees for the 2019 season. 

The 2019 Vans Park Series Pro Tour will be broadcast live on vansparkseries.com, beginning May 18. Adding to the suspense for the first stop, VPS recently announced skateboarding legend Tony Hawk as the newest addition to the team. Hawk will bring a lifetime of expertise to the Vans Park Series premium live broadcast, providing global viewers and listeners with an exhilarating, competitive skateboarding showcase experience. 

Women’s Select Pros

Brighton Zeuner

Jordan Barratt

Kisa Nakamura

Kokona Hiraki

Nicole Hause

Poppy Starr Olsen

Yndiara Asp

Women’s Wildcards

Lizzie Armanto

Nora Vasconcellos

*To claim their invitations to the 2019 VPS World Championships, invitees are required to compete in three of four VPS Pro Tour global qualifying events, leaving final athlete participation to be confirmed on day of competition. For the 2019 season, all Women’s qualifier events are open for registration to all women’s competitors who are not already on the VPS circuit. Stay tuned to www.vansparkseries.com for final qualifying athlete confirmations for the 2019 VPS Pro Tour.

2019 VANS PARK SERIES PRO TOUR SCHEDULE

Shanghai, China
May 18

São Paulo, Brazil
June 23

Montreal, Canada
July 13

Paris, France
August 10

World Championships

Salt Lake City, USA
September 7

 Cover: Helena Long  ~ Photo: Rich West ~ Illustration Liisa Chisholm

 UK pro skater Helena Long graces the cover of Vague Skate Mag this month - and we were told that Helena is the FIRST female skater to be on the cover of any UK skate mag in history. So rad!!

Helena took 1st place in street a few weeks back at the UK National Championships and has been on the scene for many years, skating anything and everything the UK has to offer and absolutely killing it. The girl is badass and this honor is only fitting!

Make sure you order issue #8 with Helena on the cover HERE

Anastaysia

Reagan

Lauren Allik

Briel Weingartner

Kala Baltasar

Meredith Loewenstein

Penny P.

Ruby Lilley

Vianez Morales

Dalia Lundquist

Elle Warne

Felicia

Dailynn Rae

Michelle Yoon

Lauren Allik

Amy Bradshaw

Cheryl Milstien

Jessie Frietze-Armenta

Collette Peterson

Julie Goforth

Tracie Garacochea

Photos Ian Logan for Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word

Please feel fee to share your photo on social media - we just ask that you please credit @ianloganphoto and @girlisnota4letterword - thanks! 

The 4th Annual Venice Ladies Jam kicked off Saturday AM under cloudy and unseasonably cool temps but that didn't stop the girls from skating hard and having fun. At the crack of dawn the park was filling up with girls practicing their runs and high-fiving one another.  The youngest competitor this year was 2 years old and the oldest in her mid 50's!

We met ladies like Steph from The Babes Brigade, who came all the way from Toronto to support and who filmed live so that the girls in Canada could see what was happening in Venice! OG skater Denise Fleming came all the way down from Sacramento to shred, and little Elle Warner drove in with her family from Utah to have some fun.

All the girls cheered one another on during the comps and every girl in the 8 and under "pup cup"  got a medal and a sponsor goodie bag - for some of the girls this was their very first contest and it was a perfect one, as the day is really all about having fun and cheering one another on!

The best part of this event is seeing so many girls come out and skate, meet one another, form friendships and they now have a group of girls to continue skating with throughout the year. That's what keeps these girls progressing.

Huge thanks to the City of Los Angeles, Venice Rec & Parks, Skate Park Association International, Heidi Lemmon, Lance Lemond, Kimi Kallman, Bart the fabulous announcer, all the judges and volunteers, the photographers who covered the event, as well as the numerous sponsors who sent so much product that the  girls went home with a big bags of swag.

Hope to see everyone again next year!


** Please check out our instagram for additional coverage of the event!

If you know who someone is that we did not name - please DM us on instagram and tell us so we can add!  Thanks!

VPS Huntington Beach  Photo Ian Logan

Helmets. They've been a hot topic since the '70s when skateparks were being developed and skaters were challenging their limits beyond banked alleys and sidewalks.

To wear a helmet or not to wear one?

Skateparks back then charged fees to enter and full safety gear was required and enforced - so you had to comply. If you look back at most of the photos from that era of skateboarders in skateparks you'll see both pads and helmets.

Cindy Whitehead at Skateboard World Skatepark circa 1976

When you look at backyard pool photos from the '70s on you'll see a very different story - no rules being enforced and we were free to do as we pleased. And to be honest, scaling a fence to skate an empty backyard pool is not for kids who "follow the rules".

Some people wonder why you'd choose not to wear a helmet when it seems so obvious that your head is super important and needs protection in case of a fall. I personally know the feeling of flying up an empty pool wall and having my hair flying in the wind, it feels freeing and it takes me back to when we all started skating and there were no rules, pads or helmets foisted upon us.

There were times at the skatepark when I'd fall (with a helmet on) and have to go to the hospital, and after examining me and running some tests, the doctor would say to my mom "it's just a mild concussion".

These words used to comfort my mom and she'd breathe a sigh of relief. The problem is that now we know better. Any head injury or blow to the brain is never mild, or "nothing to worry about". Repetitive head slams add up to injuries that affect the brain in so many ways. We have seen these dire consequences with legends like Dave Mirra and Biker Sherlock.

So why do so many of us continue skating without a helmet?

When the skateparks started closing and dying out in the 80's street skating was born and no one wore pads or helmets, because there were again no rules or anyone to enforce that safety gear. And it was easier to skate without all that protection - pads included.

Lizzie Armanto on the covers of TransWorld Photo Jones  and Thrasher  Photo Micahel Burnett

Hardcore skateboard magazine also decided that they wouldn't feature skaters wearing pads or helmets as it wasn't as gnarly.  Part of that theory was if you even had knee pads on and didn't make a sick trick you could "slide out of it" so that wasn't core. You need to take a slam or be able to run out of it to be legit. This thought process has been ingrained into most of us at an early age in skateboarding.

Pro skateboarder Lizzie Armanto graced the cover of both Thrasher and TransWorld and while neither pic shows her wearing a helmet (she is a ProTec sponsored athlete), she does have knee pads on - so that's

some

progress!

In the past few years, we have seen people realize that skateboard helmets can be cool, lightweight with full protection and still look rad. In fact many OG skaters have now decided that their life is more imprtant than being a renegade when it comes to helmets.

In fact, our second Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word collaboration was for an

XS Helmet

that was matte black with our logo in gold on the side - it looks both badass as well as being fully certified for skateboarding. We felt that having a helmet as part of our partnerships was important in encouraging girls to skateboard.

Minna Stess  Photo Todd Fuller

Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word team rider, Minna Stess, wears hers daily and competes at the highest level as a pro skateboarder - she is 13 years old and hopefully helping to change the thought process surrounding helmets.

The Olympics are coming in 2020 and skateboarding will be part of that. The official ruling is that helmets will be required if you are under a certain age. We recently saw that the ruling was enforeced  at the UK National Championships (an Olympic qualifying event) and 10-year-old Sky Brown was seen wearing a brand new Pro-Tec during her events. We also see more and more girls here in the USA that skate park wearing helmets in competition.

Maybe it's this next generation of girls that will create the change, and make wearing a helmet as normal as putting on your sneakers to go out and skate.

Dickies Girls took over The Berrics last Wednesday and it was a "no boys allowed" session complete with a taco truck, a female DJ spinning tunes and a whole lot of fun. Check out this recap video with some great skating by Bryce Wettstein and Vianez Morales - just to name a few!

This is awesome news - the Damn AM is coming to Los Angeles and has a women's division!

The Damn AM is a top tier Amateur series of contests - so if you are an AM who is ready for some great competition make sure you sign up - you'll be required to submit a link to a recent video of yourself skating, so have that ready when felling out the online application.


DAMN AM LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles, CA / The Berrics
May 17-19, 2019

DETAILS

Register HERE


LOCATION

The Berrics
2535 E. 12th St Unit A, Los Angeles, CA 90021

FRIDAY, MAY 17

12:00PM - 8:00PM: Registration / Open Practice


SATURDAY, MAY 18

10:00am - Registration / Open Practice

11:00am – Women's Qualifiers

** Jam format, 2 skaters per jam, three minutes - Top 5 skaters advance to Finals

12:00pm - Women's Finals - 5 skaters from Qualifiers

** Three one-minute runs, best run counts

12:30pm - Women's Awards


WOMEN'S STAKES

• The top 5 will be prequalified into the Women’s Open at Tampa Pro 2020 [details TBD]
• The winner receives $500 towards travel and a Straight Shot to Semi-Finals of the Women’s Open at Tampa Pro 2020 [details TBD]
 

 

 ABOUT

The Damn Am is a global amateur skateboarding contest series. Established in 2001 by Skatepark of Tampa (SPoT), the series built on the success of Tampa Am by taking that experience on the road. Over 10,000 skaters have participated in Damn Am events including most of today’s top pros. The Damn Am series serves as the only qualifier to Tampa Am. In its 18-year history it has become the number one amateur skateboarding contest series in the world.

This short 4-minute film "Women in Skateboarding" By Memory Screen, should get you going for the weekend!

Dazed posted about 7 short skate films you should see now, and this is the only one featuring all women. It was released on March 8, 2019, but not too many people have seen it, yet.  It's a definite keeper, and a great source of rad inspiration.

It feaures;

Lizzie Armanto
Nora Vasconcellos
Jaime Reyes
Elissa Steamer
Marisa del Santo
Leticia Bufoni
Vanessa Torres
Allysha Le
Lacey Baker
Mariah Duran
Alexis Sablone
Louisa Menke
Brighton Zeuner
Amy Caron
Evelien Boulliart
Kotone Nishimura
Cara Beth Burnside
Patti McGee
Peggy Oki

Put this one on your calendar - because GN4LW team rider Zoe Herishen is throwing her Chica de Mayo event again! This time it will be held at Ocean City Skatepark in Ocean City, NJ!

Zoe created this event to celebrate girls skateboarding. All levels are welcome. It's always a fun time and even if you are a beginner, this event is for you too - they will even have skaters onsite to teach you how to skateboard!

In addition to skating, there will be prizes, music, board painting, yummy treats and a glitter bar!


Event Info:

May 5, 2019
9 AM - 12 Noon
Ocean City Skatepark
550 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City, NJ

Dew Tour sanctioned by World Skate to serve as Qualifying event for Men's and Women's Park and Street Skateboarding

Dew Tour Hosting Olympic Qualifying Events in both 2019 and 2020; 2019 Summer Dew Tour to be held June 13-16 in Long Beach, Calif.

World Skate, Mountain Dew® and ASN: The Adventure Sports Network Group today announced their collaboration throughout 2019 and 2020: The annual summer Dew Tour skateboard competition and festival to be held June 13-16 in Long Beach, Calif. will serve as the first official global Olympic qualifying event in the U.S. for men’s and women’s skateboarding park and street competitions in 2019 and the final qualifying event in 2020. Skateboarding will be part of the Olympic Games for the first time in Tokyo in 2020, and has also been proposed as an additional sport in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

More than 300 of the world’s top male and female skateboarders will compete in individual Park and Street events for a chance to win the Dew Tour title, while earning valuable points toward their country’s Olympic skateboarding team. As in the past, Dew Tour competitors exemplify the best in each sport. Expected to compete at this year’s event include USA Skateboarding national team members such as Nyjah Huston, Jagger Eaton, Tristan Rennie, Mariah Duran, Lacey Baker, Jordyn Barratt, as well as international skaters Oskar Rozenberg (SWE), Kelvin Hoefler (BRA), Pamela Rosa (BRA), Yuto Horigome (JPN), Leticia Bufoni (BRA) and Ryan Decenzo (CAN).

“This year is arguably the most exciting and interesting year in skateboarding and Olympic history,” said MTN DEW skater and USA Skateboarding national team member Mariah Duran. “From making the first-ever USA Skateboarding national team to joining the Mountain Dew team as the first female skater, it continues to be a groundbreaking year. I can’t wait to skate and see how it all unfolds at the first-ever global Olympic qualifier at Dew Tour in Long Beach.”

The Olympic qualification system will be based on World Skateboarding Rankings maintained by World Skate. Skateboarders will earn points by competing in World Skate sanctioned events during the Olympic qualifying period beginning January 1, 2019 and ending May 31, 2020. Dew Tour, as part of the World Skate sanctioned Five-Star Street and Park skateboarding series, will serve as the first qualifying event in the U.S. in 2019 and the last qualifying event in the U.S. in 2020.

World Skate President, Sabatino Aracu said: “Our main goal has always been to guarantee the true soul of skateboarding and the top skateboarders in the world to be represented at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020: we see the cooperation with Dew Tour as one more step towards the fulfillment of the best event possible in the Games.”

“This is truly a historic time for skateboarding as we embark on the first-ever Olympics, and to have Dew Tour leading the qualifying charge is an honor,” said Adam Cozens, VP and General Manager of Dew Tour. “With our background in staging world-class events that celebrate the progression and culture of skateboarding, as well as our history in hosting other Olympic qualifying events, our goal is to showcase the absolute best in men’s and women’s street and park skateboarding as we kick-off the road to Tokyo.”

This year’s Dew Tour also includes the Dew Tour Experience, a vibrant interactive sponsor village and Dew Tour on the Green, a festival of outdoor music, local food and drink vendors and lifestyle activations, including a public skate park. Various events incorporating the Long Beach community will also be featured throughout the weekend through local nonprofit partners. Dew Tour is free and open to the public

A total of six hours of Dew Tour coverage will air on NBC and NBCSN. The event will also be livestreamed in its entirety on DewTour.com, Facebook Live, YouTube and other major platforms for a total of 25 hours LIVE.

Brighton Zeuner at VPS - Photo Acosta

Tokyo 2020 has unveiled details of the full Olympic competition schedule - including the skateboarding events.

Opening Ceremonies will be on Friday, July 24 and closing ceremonies will happen on Sunday, August 9.

Right now these are the dates and times for Women's Park and Street - According to the IOC "the complete competition schedule is subject to change"

*All times in Japan Standard Time (JST)

 

Skateboarding (Street)

Date and Time: Mon 27 July 9:00 - 13:55

Venues: Ariake Urban Sports Park

• Women's Street Qualification Heats
• Women's Street Final
• Women's Street Victory Ceremony

*All times in Japan Standard Time (JST)

Skateboarding (Park)

 

Date and Time: Wed 5 Aug. 9:00 - 13:45

Venues: Ariake Urban Sports Park

• Women's Park Qualification Heats
• Women's Park Final
• Women's Park Victory Ceremony

So get ready to book your flight, grab a hotel and get your Olympic venue tickets to see the women (and men) compete in person!

Planning your trip?  Here is a link with some great info on how to get started! 

 Bella Kenworthy is always someone that you just want to sit back and watch skate when you see her at the skatepark, and this video is no exception. Her skating and style just gets better and better (if that's even possible!) We have this one on repeat this week!

Such a fun day - bring all your girlfriends because the girls are taking over Venice Skatepark on April 27th! It's the 4th annual Venice Ladies Jam. Tons of prizes and medals. Divisions for all ages.

Just learning to skateboard? Come on out - the "Pup Cup" is just right for you if you are 8 yrs and under!

It will be a full day of fun on the beach in Venice - we hope to see you there!!

SATURDAY, APRIL 27th
VENICE SKATEPARK
REGISTRATION STRARTS AT 9:30 AM

PUP CUP at 10:30 AM
9-14 yrs old - 11:15 AM
15-24 yrs old - 12:00 PM
25-34 yrs old - 1:00 PM
35+ MASTERS - 2:00 PM





And the GRAND PRIZE is...

GRAND PRIZE! Big shout out to Todd Larson for hooking the Venice Ladies Jam up with 1 week at the beautiful Sequoia Skate Camp!!! Some age restrictions apply, winner will be decided by 2016 Skateboard Hall of Fame inductee, Cindy Whitehead,  and new 2019  inductee, Skateboard Hall of Fame ICON Gale Webb!

all info via X-Games        Photo of Leticia Bufoni

X Games Minneapolis 2019 Reveals First Wave of Invited Athletes

Returning to U.S. Bank Stadium for the third year, X Games Minneapolis will host the world’s top action sports athletes August 1 – 4. With world-class action sports athletes from all over the globe, this first wave of female invites is highlighted by  X Games Norway gold medalists Leticia Bufoni and Pamela Rosa.

Leticia Bufoni (Sao Paulo, Brazil) – Four-time Women’s Skateboard Street gold medalist Leticia Bufoni most recently earned her tenth overall medal with a silver at X Games Sydney. After earning six straight medals from 2010-2014, Bufoni returned to the top of the podium at X Games Norway 2018, winning her first gold since 2013. Bufoni now is the most-medaled woman in X Games Skateboard history.

** Please not that the list of names we posted on 4/15 via the X-Games PR link we receved, was from a previous years list  - GN4LW and X-Games apologize for any confusion.


X-Games Invited Women's Street Athletes Are:  (List subject to change)

Margielyn Didal
Lacey Baker
Julia Brueckler
Letecia Bufoni
Mariah Duran
Nnaka Fujisawa
Candy Jacobs
Aori Nishimura
Pamela Rosa
Alexis Sablone
Jen Soto

Tickets for X Games Minneapolis 2019 offer fans the unique opportunity to experience top-level action-sports competition by day and world-class musical offerings by night, all within the comfortable and convenient hub of U.S. Bank Stadium and GEICO Music Stage at The Armory. This year’s action sports will include Skateboard, BMX and Moto X disciplines; music will include performances by The Blind Shake, Chevy Metal, Diplo, Incubus, P.O.S, SWMRS and Wu-Tang Clan. 

General admission tickets start at $20, with XIP, one-day and three-day experiences, and music options offered. In addition, X Games will offer a special children’s ticket price in 2019, making the event even more family friendly. All tickets will include access to X Fest, where fans can enjoy sponsor activations, athlete autograph sessions and more. Additionally, ESPN has teamed up with Anthony Travel to offer one-stop shopping for ticket and lodging packages at www.xgamestravel.com.


As part of the Road to X Games content series, X Games will also host top athletes in a Boise Park Qualifier event on Saturday, June 29, as they compete to secure their invitation to X Games Minneapolis. Streamed live from Rhodes Skatepark in Boise, Idaho, the Boise Park Qualifier will feature three disciplines – Men’s Skateboard Park, Women’s Skateboard Park and BMX Park. The top six athletes in each discipline will also receive invites to Minneapolis.

World’s Premier Park Terrain Skateboarding Competition Series Welcomes Tony Hawk as New Live Broadcast Commentator for the 2019 Pro Tour Season

Costa Mesa, CALIF. (April 15, 2019) – Vans Park Series, the premier park terrain skateboarding tour in the world, today announced skateboarding legend Tony Hawk as the official live broadcast commentator for the 2019 series. Hawk will join the Vans Park Series team alongside live co-host Chris Cote, as the competition touches down in five major countries across the globe this year, culminating with the official 2019 Vans Park Series World Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States this September. The Vans Park Series, known for defining professional park terrain skateboarding competition since 2016, expands its tour programming to host men and women qualifier events at all four Pro Tour locations this season, and remains committed to endorsing prize parity at every stop including the World Championships.

“Skating has shaped my life experience, so I’m beyond excited to join the Vans Park Series team on tour and continue to advocate for youth and their futures in skateboarding on the global stage,” said Tony Hawk. “I’ve seen overall skating talent evolve quickly in recent years so I’m looking forward to watching that progression in the form of park terrain skateboarding unfold.”

The entire 2019 competition series will be broadcast live on vansparkseries.com and will feature the best names in park terrain skateboarding such as Pedro Barros, Alex Sorgente, Oskar Rozenberg Hallberg, Tom Schaar, Nora Vasconcellos, Brighton Zeuner, Lizzie Armanto, and many more.

“Tony’s name is synonymous with skateboarding around the world,” said Bobby Gascon, global director of action sports, Vans. “He represents the very best of the sport and has been the pinnacle ambassador of skateboarding for decades. We are grateful and couldn’t ask for a better voice to support Vans Park Series’ mission to promote skateboarding’s creative culture and grow participation worldwide.”

Hawk will bring a lifetime of expertise to the Vans Park Series premium live broadcast, providing global viewers and listeners with an exhilarating, competitive skateboarding showcase experience. Those tuning in will have the opportunity to hear expert commentary and perspective from one of the most iconic names in skateboarding.

Vans Park Series Pro Tour Dates

May 17-18, 2019 – Shanghai, China
June 22-23, 2019 – São Paulo, Brazil
July 12-13, 2019 – Montréal, Canada
August 9-10, 2019 – Paris-Chelles, France
September 6-7, 2019 – Salt Lake City, United States



Further cementing its 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.

Helena Long took 1st in Street at the UK National Championships - Photo via Graystone

This weekend had two major comps for the women that were NOT in the USA. Isn't that nice for a change?!


Scroll down to get the results and news on each one.

Poppy Starr Olsen took 1st at VPS Oceania     Photo by Andrew Mapstone for VPS

The Vans Park Series (VPS)  Oceania Continental Championships took place on Saturday in Sydney, AU where the winner will have a fast track pass directly to World Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah later this year. There were 7 ladies competing with last years champion Poppy Starr Olsen defending her title. Noticeably absent was AU's Sabre Norris who last year took an impressive 2nd place.

VPS OCEANIA RESULTS - WOMEN:

1st   Poppy Starr Olsen - goes directly to the World Championships in Salt Lake City, UT
2nd  Shanae  Collins
3rd  Taniah Meyers

4th   Grace Cochrane
5th   Charlotte Heath
6th  Aimee Massie
7th  Mistie Mildenhall

The UK National Championships were also happening and for a lot of us it was the first time we have had a chance to see the UK ladies skate in a comp. There has not been a UK National Championship since 2013 so it's been a long time and it's so great to see! We should also mention that this comp had equal pay for both the women and men's - so great seeing that!

While most of us anticipated that they'd skate park (as that's the discipline - along with street - happening in the 2020 Olympics), the comp actually took place in what looked more like a bowl than what we are used to seeing at VPS for park - which is very spread out with many obstacles. The tighter "bowl" configuration made it a bit tougher to set up for tricks, but the ladies rallied and put on a good show!

In case you missed it check out the Women's Park Finals below!




Sky Brown showed up for her first major UK comp since being named to the UK National Team and made a good showing. While she fell while trying the 540 in her first run, she nailed it straight off on her second run to secure her a score of 308 and propelling her into 1st place. Amy Rahm flew into second and Rebecca Davies took a well-deserved third.

UK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS  - WOMEN'S PARK

1st  Sky Brown               308
2nd Amy Rahm              275
3rd  Rebecca Davies       260

4th  Amy Brady              246
5th  Helena Long            230

Sky Brown took 1st in Women's Park

The street competition used the SLS format of having  a couple runs each plus a "best trick" section - you had four tries to do a "best trick" and wow the judges which added to your highest score.  Strategy is always best in situations like this, and Helena Long came out fast and furious to nail down first place in short order - the girl was NOT messing around!  Freya Brooks was hot on her tail and ultimately took 2nd and Aimy Brady grabbed third.

 UK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS  - WOMEN'S STREET

1st      Helena Long        640
2nd     Freya Brooks       631
3rd      Aimy Brady         576

4th     Amy Ram             379
5th     Lily Grace            344
6th     Sky Brown            291
7th     Rosie Kliskey       120


Big shout out to the UK announcers, one of which was pro skater Lucy Adams. They did a great job explaining tricks to a BBC audience that might not know what is going on in skateboarding (yet) and made it fun for everyone watching with their lively commentary and kind words.

This was the first contest for the UK skaters that count as points towards the goal of going to the Olympics!

Greystone Skatepark will host tehUK Nationals this weekend

The UK National Skateboarding Championships 2019 are happening at Greystone Skatepark in Manchester THIS weekend and the women compete in street and park on Sunday 4/14!

This is the first official National Skateboarding competition to be held in England, with competitors earning qualifying points for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

Competitors for the event will be invite only, with a selection process which includes: current UK ranking, previous competition standing, sponsored and professional status and future potential in the two event disciplines.

It looks like since there are not a ton of female skaters competing so there really is no qualifying round - they practice on Sunday and go straight to finals - which you should be able to see LIVE!

Sunday

          
2:00 pm                 Female Park Final (6 AM PST / 9 AM EST)

3:30 pm                 Female Street Final (7:30 AM PST / 10 AM EST)

5:45 pm                Results/Prize Giving (9:45 AM PST / 12:45 PM EST)

Confirmed skateboarders for the event for the women include Sky Brown, but we have heard that shredders like Stefani Nurding and Helena Long will be competing as well!

Skateboard England CEO, James Hope-Gill: “We’re excited to announce the launch of the UK Championships. The most talented skateboarders from around the country will compete in the first event and with Olympic qualification points at stake, it is set to be one of the highlights in the skateboarding calendar.”

Sunday will be streamed live and you can watch the action on line at these two sites:

BBC Live

Skateboard England YouTube