Watch the premiere of Lizzie!!

As the global icon of creative expression, Vans Skateboarding is proud to present Lizzie, a short 35mm film directed by renowned filmmaker Greg Hunt. Unveiling a personal, intimate account of Lizzie Armanto beyond her skateboarding accolades and identity as one of the world’s most talented skateboarders, the film is the first to explore Lizzie’s life through the lens of those closest to her.

Tapping into stories, memories, and perspectives from fellow friends and skaters— ranging from skate legend and mentor Tony Hawk to Vans’ team rider and rising talent Mami Tezuka— Vans and Hunt capture the essence of Lizzie through poignant voiceovers paired against the backdrop of footage from Lizzie’s daily life skating, hanging with friends, and celebrating the launch of her very first signature skate shoe.

“Ultimately, I aimed to create something special with this little film,” said Hunt, whose previous work includes Vans’ Propeller, Alright OK, and Nice to See You skate films, among others. “I’ve never made anything quite like it. I think it’s a beautiful and honest portrait of Lizzie.” 

In addition to Hawk and Tezuka, the film also features the voices of Lizzie’s mom Eva Armanto, husband and pro skater Axel Cruysberghs, and best friend Alysha Le. The film features an original score by Reverend Baron, who also composed the score for Vans’ Alright, OK.  The past several years have been momentous for Lizzie, from competing in skateboarding’s 2021 Olympic debut in Tokyo to working with Vans to design The Lizzie, a skate shoe representing “something else entirely” for a wider range of skateboarders—and Vans’ first signature skateboarding shoe designed by a woman in 20 years. 

Those who know Lizzie know that she embodies the true spirit of creative expression in all its forms. Her storied career includes many firsts—like the first woman to grace TransWorld SKATEboarding’s magazine cover, one of the first women in years to appear on the cover of Thrasher, and the first to complete Tony Hawk’s Loop. Lizzie is a pioneer and a role model for many. Vans’ new film delivers an even deeper look into who Lizzie is as a person, exploring her one-of-a-kind perspective on skateboarding and the world.

Female skateboarders are being included more and more in pivotal moments in sports - which we absolutely love! This time we get to see and hear about what makes Leticia Bufoni great.

Apple TV+ released the trailer for season two of the Emmy Award-winning unscripted short-form sports documentary series “Greatness Code,” revealing what truly drives the world’s greatest athletes to succeed.

This season, Lindsey Vonn, Marcus Rashford, Russell Wilson, Leticia Bufoni, Scout Bassett and Bubba Wallace pull back the curtain on a pivotal career moment when they touched greatness. Told through a stylized hybrid of live action and visual effects, “Greatness Code” premieres its second season globally on Friday, May 13 on Apple TV+.

Photo of Yndiara Asp and her new pro model via Yndiara’s Instagram

Such great news!!

Brazil’s Yndiara Asp is now pro AF for Santa Cruz Skateboards! Her pro model will be available in skate shops and online - we can’t wait!

If you have been keeping an eye on Yndiara you know she has been killing it - from competing at the Olympics and X Games to modeling for Carolina Herrera’s new fragrance 212 to her numerous endorsement deals, not to mention her 218K following on Instagram, Yndiara is shining bright!

Big congrats Yndiara - well deserved!!

Meet the female skaters who opened the Dior show in Korea!

The skatepark-inspired set was specially built in the central esplanade of Ewha Women’s University in Seoul to host the unveiling of Dior Fall 2022 by Maria Grazia Chiuri. The show opened with a display by a group of local female skateboarders whose presence served to introduce the collection’s ethos of collaboration, community and sisterhood

Christian Dior opened their Fall 22 show in Korea with 10 female skateboarders skating one after another down a mini street/park/pump track. The skaters wearing Dior jumpsuits started the show and as they ended their opening segment, models started walking down the makeshift runway wearing a mix of what looked like private school x grunge x punk wear - which was amazing!

Here in the USA Dior has been embracing female skaters for a while, with pro skater/model Briana King being their favorite muse this past year.

And if you’re wondering how the skatepark-inspired set was built, you’ll want to watch this video below.

Jordyn Barratt - Dew Tour Finals 2021 - Photo Chris Dangaard

2022 SUMMER DEW TOUR SKATEBOARD COMPETITION AND FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DES MOINES, IOWA JULY 29 & 30

This Free Event is to be Held at Lauridsen Skatepark, the Largest Skatepark in the United States

Carlsbad, Calif. (April 25, 2022) -- The annual Dew Tour pro skateboard competition and festival - powered by MTN DEW® - will return to Des Moines, Iowa on July 29 and 30 at Lauridsen Skatepark for the second consecutive year.  The event will be a finals-only skateboard competition featuring the very best skaters from across the globe, as well as a two-day festival with activities for all ages.  The return of Dew Tour to Des Moines is made possible by its partnership with Catch Des Moines and Polk County, as well as Toyota, returning as the event’s Mobility partner. Dew Tour will be free and open to the public.

In 2020 and 2021, Dew Tour served as a global Olympic qualifying event for the Tokyo Games, which showcased its inaugural year of skateboarding. This year’s Dew Tour features finals-only competitions in men’s and women’s individual Street and Park, as well as Adaptive competitions presented by Toyota in men’s and women’s Street and men’s Park. It will also mark the return of the Dew Tour’s Battle of the Shops, featuring regional skate shops that compete as a team against one another on the Street course. Des Moines’ Subsect Skate Shop will be the local shop competing against other midwestern skate shops from Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis and Minneapolis.

Mariah Duran- Dew Tour Finals 2021 - Photo Arias

A myriad of Olympians are expected to compete at this year’s event, including Lizzie Armanto (FIN), Mariah Duran (USA), Aurelien Giraud (FRA), Nyjah Huston (USA), Aori Nishimura (JPN), Tristan Rennie (USA), Pamela Rosa (BRA), Bryce Wettstein (USA) and many more. 

The Dew Tour Experience, a festival-style activation located adjacent to the competition venue, will offer fans a fun and free sponsor village, public skate pump track, food and beverages, pro athlete meet and greets and more. The entire Dew Tour event is free and open to the public, with general admission entry. A limited number of VIP ticket packages will be available; details are forthcoming.

The Dew Tour competition venue will be located within Lauridsen Skatepark, the largest skatepark in the United States, boasting 88,000 square feet of skateboarding paradise with two skate bowls, a skate promenade, a skateable sculpture, stairs, ledges and more. The skatepark, which opened in 2021, was built by world-class builders California Skateparks, who has served as the venue architects for Dew Tour since 2014.  

Dew Tour will be livestreamed in its entirety on DewTour.com, Facebook Live, YouTube and other major platforms for a total of 15+ hours. 

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 partnership with DEW®, Dew Tour continues to progress events and content, bringing millions of action sports fans engaging stories and experiences across multiple digital mediums.

Team riders Katelyn and Mazel checking out the new book ~ Photo Ian Logan

This new book, Girl Power: A Journal, by Cindy Whitehead founder of Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word, encourages girls ages 8 to 12 to find their strength and succeed.

Team rider Maya with Girl Power at Venice Skatepark in between skate sessions ~ Photo Ian Logan

GIRL POWER is available as of today on Amazon and in bookstores near you!

Girl Power encourages and celebrates all girls—which means every girl’s version of girl power is equally awesome! And this journal helps girls discover what girl power means to them. They’ll dive into writing prompts that make them think and drawing prompts that challenge their creativity as they practice being brave, confident, and powerful.

What sets this book apart from other books for girls:

• The power of words—Teach tween girls that journaling regularly can help them understand their thoughts and feelings and become the strongest version of themselves.

• It’s made for tweens—Girls will explore a journal that’s designed especially for them, no matter where they’re from or what their lives are like.

• It’s more than just a journal—Find fun facts about awesome girls throughout history, along with activities like easy meditations and positive affirmations.

It was such a pleasure to be a small part of Girls Roll on Wheels event in Houston, Texas. This event has been going strong for years now and Lori, the founder of G.R.O.W., throws an event like no other.

When we got the call that they were looking for a female pro skateboarder to be their guest, we looked no further than Arianna Carmona. Arianna flew to Houston and did a demo that inspired every single girl that showed up. There were give-a-ways, sticker “drops” (watch the video - so cool!) and lots of skateboarding!

So much thanks goes out to Lori and her crew - events created specifically for the girls and women woudl not happen if it werem’t for people like Lori putting their heart,soul, time and effort into them!

Did you miss it? If so here’s your chance to watch the finals of X Games Chiba Women’s park and street! There was some awesome skating that went down - watch it all on repeat!

Rayssa Leal - Photo via X Games Chiba

This was the most interesting X Games we have seen in a while! Lots of new faces competing and the skaters are getting younger and younger. Newcomer 12-year-old Chloe Covell slayed on the street course and became the youngest X Games medalist at X Games Chiba taking a bronze medal. Brazil’s Rayssa Leal - no stranger to X Games won her first gold medal at age 13. Her first run placed her in the top spot with a frontside feeble grind, heelflip, kickflip backside lipslide, backside Smith grind, Ollie over the origami gap, frontside bluntslide down big rail. Although Toyama City’s Funa Nakayama was unable to catch Leal, she earned her first X Games medal with a silver medal, not too bad at all!

Chloe Covell - Photo X Games Chiba

Funa Nakayama - Photo X Games Chiba

Rayssa Leal - Photo X Games Chiba

Rayssa Leal - Photo X Games Chiba

Rayssa Leal - Photo X Games Chiba

Chloe Covell - Photo X Games Chiba

Funa Nakayama - Photo X Games Chiba

Women’s Skateboard Street Finals

1. Rayssa Leal (BRA)

2. Funa Nakayama (JPN)

3. Chloe Covell (AUS)

4. Yumeka Oda (JPN)

5. Poe Pinson (USA)

6. Pamela Rosa (BRA)

7. Gabriela Mazetto (BRA)

8. Aori Nishimura (JPN)

The next MiniRipperz Contest is coming up and there are only a few spots left! This is one contest you don’t want to miss - it’s happening at OC Ramps in Santa Ana on May 7th from 9-2pm!

DM @MiniRipperz to register!

Sakura Yosozumi - photo via X Games Chiba

Last night herstory was made during the women’ spark finals when the Japanese women (Sakura, Cocona and Mami) dominated with a full sweep of the podium! American skater Bryce Wettstein was right on their tail but was unable to break up the trio.

Cocona Hiraki - photo via X Games Chiba

Fresh off an Olympic gold medal, Sakura Yosozuma from Iwade City, Wakayama, earned her first X Games gold. Her second run included a backside 180 to fakie over the box, fakie noseblunt, backside ollie, backside air, judo, frontside Smith grind through the deep end corner, one foot back disaster, lipslide, ollie 540, fastplant. Thirteen-year-old Cocona Hiraki from Tomoakomai, Hokkaido, earned her second X Games silver medal, and X Games 2021 silver medalist, Mami Tezuka from Hikone, Shiga, once again landed on the podium with bronze. 

The comp was exciting and tricks were being thrown down that elevated women’s skateboarding, yet again.

Mami Tezuka - photo via X Games Chiba

Women’s Skateboard Park

1. Sakura Yosozumi (JPN) - GOLD

2. Cocona Hiraki (JPN)  - SILVER

3. Mami Tezuka (JPN) - BRONZE

4. Bryce Wettstein (USA)

5. Kisa Nakamura (JPN)

6. Minna Stess (USA)

7. Ruby  Lilley (USA)

8. Yndiara Asp (BRA)

(left to right) Cocona Hiraki, Sakura Yosozumi , Mami Tezuka - photo via X Games Chiba

** Please note - Due to expected inclement weather at X Games Chiba the competition schedule for the Women’s Street Finals has been changed to the following for tonight (Saturday):

Women’s Skateboard Street Final  7:15 pm – 8:15 PT

Watch on the X Games Youtube Channel

Yumeka Oda - Photo via espn / X Games Japan

The very first X Games Japan started last night and the new venues for park and street pushed the women to create new lines and think fast. We saw USA’s Grace Marhoefer compete in both street and park - something we don’t think we have seen any other woman do during the X Games - and since the events were back to back it probably was exhausting for her. All the women pushed hard and gave it their all and it was awesome to watch!

The top eight in street moving onto the finals didn’t yield too many surprises - but it was nice to see young USA’s Poe Pinson starting to climb up the ranks and hold her own.

Watch the Women’s Skateboard Street Finals - Saturday 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm PT

Women’s Skateboard Street Elimination

1. Yumeka Oda (JPN)

2. Funa Nakayama (JPN)

3. Rayssa Leal (BRA)

4. Poe Pinson (USA)

5. Chloe Covell (AUS)

6. Pamela Rosa (BRA)

7. Gabriela Mazetto (BRA)

8. Aori Nishimura (JPN)

9. Rizu Akama (JPN)

10. Keet Oldenbeuving (NED)

11. Julia Brueckler (AUT)

12. Hina Maeda (JPN)

13. Lore Bruggeman (BEL)

14. Grace Marhoefer (USA)

Cocona Hiraki _ Photo via espn / X Games Japan

 In women’s park, we saw 16-year-old Minna Stess come back from a fall on her first run to nailing every single trick in her second run putting her solidly in 7th place as the women head into the finals. Jordan Santana went for her signature 540 on her second run but unfortunately couldn’t land it - but it was nice to see her go for it! Bryce Wettstein and Ruby Lilley held their own with the Japanese ladies who seem determined that this will be their podium at the end of the finals. We will all just have to wait and see about that!

Women’s Skateboard Park Finals Tonight - Friday 10:15 pm - 11:15 pm PT

Women’s Skateboard Park Elimination

1. Cocona Hiraki (JPN)

2. Sakura Yosozumi (JPN)

3. Bryce Wettstein (USA)

4. Kisa Nakamura (JPN)

5. Ruby  Lilley (USA)

6. Mami Tezuka (JPN)

7. Minna Stess (USA)

8. Yndiara Asp (BRA)

9. Grace Marhoefer (USA)

10. Jordan Santana (USA)

11. Kihana Ogawa (JPN)

12. Amelia Brodka (POL)

Minneapolis, MN – August 2, 2019 – U.S. Bank Stadium: Sakura Yosozumi competing in Women’s Skateboard Park during X Games Minneapolis 2019. (Photo by Garth Milan / ESPN Images)

Watch First-Ever X Games Chiba 2022 Presented by Yogibo Live April 22 – 24

Get ready to stay up late if you want to watch the women compete live from X-games Japan this week! And check out the list of invited athletes for both park and street as some names have changed. This is going to be an X-games like no other, we have fewer Americans competing and some heavy hitters from all over the world coming to claim X-games gold. The competition should be fierce and the level of women’s skateboarding will be through the roof!

X Games fans in the United States can watch live competition coverage from the inaugural X Games Chiba event on April 22 – 24 on the ESPN App and X Games YouTube.

X Games Chiba 2022 will be available locally in Japan on Nippon TV’s networks and will be available globally via ESPN’s streaming services.

Current list of Women’s Skateboard Park Invitees:

Yndiara Asp
Amelia Brodka
Cocona Hiraki
Ruby Lilley
Grace Marhoefer
Kisa Nakamura
Kihana Ogawa
Jordan Santana
Minna Stess
Mami Tezuka
Bryce Wettstein
Sakura Yosozumi

Current list of Women’s Skateboard Street Invitees:

Rizu Akama
Andrea Benitez
Julia Brueckler
Lore Bruggeman
Chloe Covell
Rayssa Leal
Hina Maeda
Gabriela Mazetto
Grace Marhoefer
Funa Nakayama
Aori Nishimura
Yumeka Oda
Keet Oldenbeuving
Poe Pinson
Pamela Rosa

United States - *Times and events listed are Eastern Time (ET) and are subject to change. Please consult your local listings. 

The X Games Chiba 2022 live content schedule in the USA is as follows:

Thursday, April 21 - Friday, April 22 ESPN App & YouTube

11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. ET Women’s Skateboard Street Elimination (8:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Thursday PT)

1:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. ET Women’s Skateboard Park Elimination. (10:00 pm - 11:00 pm - Thursday PT)

Saturday, April 23 ESPN App & YouTube

1:15 a.m. – 2:10 a.m. ET Women’s Skateboard Park - Finals (10:15 pm - 11:15 pm Friday PT)

11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. ET Women’s Skateboard Street - Finals (8:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Saturday PT)

International

In addition to the host broadcast within Japan by Nippon TV, X Games Chiba will be distributed via syndication partners in Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Israel, Spain, Serbia, Turkey, Greece, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Netherlands, Africa, France and the United Kingdom. X Games Chiba content will also be available in these regions live and on demand on ESPNPlayer.

X Games Chiba 2022 will also be available to stream live in Latin America and the Pacific Rim. Fans in Latina America can stream live on Star+, the Caribbean on ESPN Play and Australia/New Zealand on WatchESPN.  

USA National Team skater, Minna Stess has joined the S1 Helmets team!

Congrats Minna!

Wednesday is the middle of the week and sometimes you just need something good to get you through the next few days…

For us, this new music video from indie darling mokina is it!

The video “Stars”, filmed in her home base of Portugal, is a celebration of friendships — the intimate, romantic and platonic bonds we form through them, and is pictured here through her group of eight girl friends skateboarding, eating pizza, and chasing sunsets.

Shot by Portuguese videographer, photographer and skateboarder João Pedro Cordeiro, the video was styled by Segunda Vida, a vintage surfwear brand run by Beatriz Mota, one of the skateboarders featured in the video; as well as Sana, a knitted hat company created by Debbie who also shines through the cast, and local brand Big Raven.

The ensemble of the video also features girl bosses Sina Luxor, interdisciplinary artist and athlete; Kaman Lim, creator of handmade knitted goods; Galina Bakker and Dana Scheltens who work for the Netherlands’ biggest surf community Surfana; Talia Kaufman, who has worked with several NGOs empowering girls through skate and sports worldwide.

Sit back, relax, listen to the awesome music and enjoy the video on repeat

Front L to R: Bryce Wettstein, Jordan Santana, Jordyn Barratt, Minna Stess, Poe Pinson, Paige Heyn, Mariah Duran, Samarria Brevard ~. Photo: Chris Ortiz

USA Skateboarding Announces 2022 National Team at Toyota-Sponsored Event

Sixteen Skateboarders Named to National Team Including Thirteen Returning, Three New Members with Olympian Alexis Sablone as the New Women’s Head Coach

Los Angeles, Calif. (April 12, 2022) — Together with Toyota, USA Skateboarding - the U.S. governing body for skateboarding - announced that 16 members would join the 2022 skateboarding national team to kick off the new season. Skaters named to the national team were based on performance in international level events during the year before their selection for Men’s Park and Street and Women’s Park and Street. The team is led by Andrew Nicolaus, Men’s Head Coach; Alexis Sablone, Women’s Head Coach; and Mimi Knoop, High Performance Director. Skateboarding made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where Team USA earned two bronzes from Cory Juneau (Park) and Jagger Eaton (Street). For the women, Alexis Sablone and Bryce Wettstein made it to the finals earning fourth and sixth place, respectively. In all, nine Skateboarding Olympians will return to the 2022 national team.

Over the past two days, the USA Skateboarding staff and 2022 team members spent time together at The Berrics gathering content, fitting the Nike team kits for the season, and onboarding new members, including Women’s Street skaters Paige Heyn, Poe Pinson, and Men’s Park skater Gavin Bottger.

“It was really fun to get everyone together and celebrate our 2022 national team in person. The level of talent is incredible, and I’m excited to see what our first-time team members are able to do with more opportunities to compete this year,” said Josh Friedberg, CEO of USA Skateboarding. “Huge thanks to our top sponsors Toyota and Nike SB, Dream Hollywood and Tao for the hospitality, and the Berrics for hosting our media day once again.”

“Toyota is proud to continue its sponsorship of USA Skateboarding and congratulates the 2022 National Team” said Dedra DeLilli, Group Manager, Sponsorship Strategy, Integration and Activation “This amazing group of athletes are great ambassadors of their sport. We are excited for the 2022 team and are proud of their incredible efforts on the street, in the park and for their meaningful contributions in their communities.”

The skaters named to the 2022 USA Skateboarding National Team include:

Minna, Jordan, Bryce, Jordyn and Women’s Coach Alexis Sablone

Women’s Park

Bryce Wettstein (Encinitas, CA)

Jordan Santana (Houston, TX)

Jordyn Barratt. (Haleiwa, HI)

Minna Stess (Petaluma, CA)

Poe, Paige, Mariah, Samarria and Women’s Coach Alexis Sablone

Women’s Street

Mariah Duran (Albuquerque, NM)

Paige Heyn (Tempe, AZ)

Poe Pinson (Fernandina Beach, FL)

Samarria Brevard (Riverside, CA)

Great Brittain had their National Championships last weekend and In the women's event, 14-year-old Lola Tambling claimed victory with a score of 42.58, Bombette Martin, who was GB's representative at the Tokyo Games and won the 2021 National Championships, was second with a score of 41.34, with Lilly Strachan third on 38.05.

Sky Brown who is still skating for GB was a no-show, presumably because of her podium finish at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.

Stay tuned to see who is named to the GB Olympic team as we get closer to the Paris Olympics!

The new video by THERE Skateboards finally had its premiere and people are loving it. If you know, you know.

Featuring: Jessyka Bailey, Shag, Leo Bañuelos, Marbie, Nadair Asghari, Sam Bolton, Kat Sy, Briana King, Chandler Burton, Myles De Courcy, James Pitonyak, Jeff Cheung, & Kien Caples

Filmed by Rey Choto

Edited by Leo Bañuelos

Animations by Jeff Cheung

X Games Chiba 2022, presented by Yogibo, the first X Games event scheduled to take place in Japan, revealed more than 100 invited athletes at a press conference today in Chiba City. The event's Park and Street course designs were also unveiled, highlighting a colorful and unique course design inspired by Japanese origami.

The inaugural X Games Chiba event is set to debut April 22-24, 2022, featuring Skateboard, BMX and Moto X competitions over three days at ZOZOMARINE STADIUM. Along with world-class action sports competition and athletes, X Games Chiba will feature live musical performances, art installations, food, and festival experience.

WOMEN’S SKATEBOARD PARK - Invited Athletes

Yndiara Asp
Amelia Brodka
Cocona Hiraki
Ruby Lilley
Grace Marhoefer
Kisa Nakamura
Kihana Ogawa
Jordan Santana
Minna Stess
Mami Tezuka
Bryce Wettstein
Dora Varella
Sakura Yosozumi

WOMEN’S SKATEBOARD STREET - Invited Athletes

Andrea Benitez
Julia Brueckler
Lore Bruggeman
Chloe Covell
Rayssa Leal
Hina Maeda
Gabriela Mazetto
Funa Nakayama
Momiji Nishiya
Aori Nishimura
Yumeka Oda
Keet Oldenbeuving
Poe Pinson
Pamela Rosa
Nika Washington

Competition Schedule - Japan local Time - More info on how to watch in other countries coming soon!

Dropping in for the first time can be a bit scary. Watch Alex and Andrew Cannon break it down for you! If you somehow don’t know who Alex is, please google her. She’s a legend and knows her stuff!