Photo: Ian Logan
Happy Holidays from Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word & Dusters California. Check out Laura Logue ripping on the cruiser board - stoked to see her shredding on it!
We are so excited to see Poppy Starr Olsen's TEDx Talk "The Blurred Lines of Art & Skateboarding"! Poppy talks about the intersection of skateboarding and art, and shares her passion for being a world champion skater as well as a successful artist. Great TEDx talk - congrats Poppy!!
See the rest of this awesome article on Poppy HERE
Poppy Starr Olsen has been winning right & left this year and is now the 2014 World Cup of Skateboarding Champion for 14 and under Girls Bowl riding. Congrats Poppy!
Make sure you come out to the Vans Girls Combi contest on Jan 16 and see all the girls compete for the start of the 2015 World Cup season. Poppy will be there defending her title!
Who's Rad? Sky Brown
Age? 6
Home is? Miyazaki City, JAPAN
How long have you been skateboarding? 3 years
How long have you been surfing? 2 years
What got you into these 2 sports?
I’ve been going to skate parks with my dad ever since I can remember It always been way more fun for me than regular parks, I just prefer Ramps and Bowls to Swings and Slides they are just sooo much more fun.
When I was little I used to hassle my dad to go with him for the morning surfs so I could play on the beach, I would even get into the car and refuse to leave, then one day my dad got me a soft board and pushed me into some small waves, and that was that. I was hooked pretty fast hahaha. Now I get up super early every morning and jump on my dad until he wakes up and takes me surfing.
What do you enjoy most about both surfing and skateboarding?
I love going really fast on my skateboard esp. in a bowl, being able to pop high and getting new tricks down, is just soo fun. Flying down the line on a wave its just the funnest thing ever... Also my friends, I really love Skating and Surfing my friends.
The girls I surf with are Rina, Aimee, Mana, Shino and Kaho, they are all double my age (12, 13, 14) but they are so funny and really good surfers they always make me laugh. It’s funny because we just sit in the lineup of adults just laughing and playing as girls do, but when the sets come we are all down to business. I don’t like being indoors and I really enjoy just being in the ocean.
Girls Who Skate that inspire YOU:
Bryce Wettstein cos she’s such a good skater and she’s my #1 hero, I really want to be like her, I always watch her youtube videos they make me so pumped and happy. she’s so funny and sooo awesome and cool. Also Brighton Zeuner, Spencer Breaux, Sabre Norris, Alana Smith
Girls that Surf that inspire YOU?
Bryce Wettstein again cos shes surfs so nice and shes my hero haha, and Zoe Benedetto (heavy Z) shes uber cool. Also Quincy Davis, Carrissa moore, and my surfer girlfriends here at home Rina, Kaho, Shino, Mana, and Aimee.
Favorite place you've ever skated?
Miyazaki City Skate Park which is my local and is sooo good and Treasure Isle Bowl which is an indoor wooden bowl with pool coping and is so mega to blast around, and of course San Clemente Skate Park that one’s soo fun.
Favorite place you have ever surfed?
Kizakihama a beachie in Miyazaki for sure, its like 4 mins from my home, and it’s just the best beach break ever, and some of the reef breaks near my home in Miyazaki.
Favorite Trick or maneuver – skateboarding?
Boneless’s and 360 GRABS they are just too fun
Editors Note: We'd also say launching herself off of anything she can is another Sky Favorite ...
Favorite trick or maneuver – surfing?
That has to be Cutbacks, and pumping down the line really fast.
Sponsors:
Moonjelly Wetsuits , 5050waveskates surfboards by BEN WEI,
FLAKE clothing, Greenfix ECO Surfwax XS helmets PRIDE SOCK
Three Things You Don't Know About Me?
1. I love to dance all the time so does my little brother Ocean, he is pretty good, I taught him all his moves. we pretty much don’t have a day that goes by that we don’t have a dance
2. I hate vegetables YUCK there gross, I'm still afraid of the dark!!!
3. I have my own bedroom so does my brother but we have never ever slept in it cos I love to sleep with my parents - I love hugs.
What’s Next?
I really really want to go to Exposure next year, so I’m working super hard to get better and get there that’s my goal!!!
Make sure you follow Sky on:
Facebook: Stu Braun (my dad)
Instagram: awsmkids (my mom)
Youtube: stu4real
As of 2015 Sky rides for our team "Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word", so check out her Team Rider Page for current info, sponsors, contest results and videos ---> HERE
IT'S HERE! The XS x GN4LW helmet is shipping this week! Just in time for Christmas. This is a limited edition so get it while you can.
Matte black, Gold girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word logo on one side, interior pads are bright pink to match the pink skull in logo, Cindy's personal motto (see below) and signature on the back in gold along with the Longboarding for Peace logo - an organization we support 100%.
"Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you're dead"
ORDER ON LINE HERE
*If you live in the South Bay area please stop into Van Guard and try one on - you can buy them there too - they are the very first store to carry it! We LOVE Vanguard!!
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| Photo: Russ Hoover |
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| Photo: Steve Gaffney |
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| Photo: Robby Staley |
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| Photo: Tavi Lono |
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| Photo: Russ Hoover |
We had heard about Kyra for a few years, the small blonde girl shredding the waves out front as if she was just hanging out in her own private playground having fun, & totally immune to those watching her in awe. Kyra is a true ripper, and with her consistent wins in the NSSA contests last season (and this season!) a lot more people are now knowing her name. She also skates and can usually be found carving up the alleys (barefoot) when the waves are small. Keep your eye on this young shredder - she loves surfing Tavarua, so maybe big wave surfing is in her future as well!
Who's Rad? Kyra Williams
Age? 13
Home is? Manhattan Beach, California
How long have you been surfing? I tandem surfed with my dad when I was little, but I really got into surfing and padding into my own waves when I was 11.
What got you into surfing? I've always watched my dad and brother surf since I was really little, but I really loved watching videos of Carissa Moore and John John Florence.
What do you enjoy most about surfing? I love just being in the ocean and getting the rush of going fast down the line.
Do you enjoy competing in contests or is freeriding your thing? I love both! Competing is a blast because it's so fun to test your skills in a certain amount of time and free riding is super fun because it's a good way to practice your skills and just relax.
Do you: shortboard? Longboard? SUP? I short board mostly, but I also love to longboard and SUP!
Girls that Surf that inspire YOU? Girls that inspire me are Carissa Moore, Lakey Peterson, Courtney Conolouge, and Laura Enever.
Favorite place you have ever surfed? My favorite place I've ever surfed is Cloudbreak!
Favorite Surf Movie? I really love Lakey Peterson's Zero to One Hundred.
Any memorable contests? My most memorable was at the South Side of Huntington Pier when it was firing.
Favorite trick or maneuver? For sure barrels.
We know you skate too – tell us about that – what type of skateboarding are you into? I love to skate bowls and just cruise around.
Sponsors: Spyder Surf and Girl is Not a 4 Letter Word
Three Things You Don't Know About Me:
1. I love to play the guitar and ukulele.
2. I love skiing Aspen Mountain.
3. I've always wanted to work at a fashion magazine one day!
What’s Next?
I have contests all winter in the NSSA gold coast and Southwest. I'm headed to Tavarua for spring break!
Make sure you follow Kyra on: instagram @kyrasurf
It doesn't happen often during the year but thanks to Poseiden Foundation, it's happening on December 20 so mark your calendars. Yep, you get to skate The Berrics at an all girls session. Happy Holidays from the rad crew at Poseiden!
What: The 6th Annual Laadies Day at The Berrics
When? December 20 from 12-5 PM
Why? Because what could be cooler than an all girls skate session at The Berrics? NOTHING.
How to be invited? RSVP to monique@poseiden.org by 12/15 and you'll get the address
You MUST RSVP as there will be a list and if your name isn't on it you'll be hanging outside wishing you had.
How much does it cost? A canned food item - yep, a small holiday donation to help others who are less fortunate - so in the spirit of giving, if you can bring more than one canned food item, please do.
We will say it AGAIN - make sure you RSVP or else you will not be on the list.
Have a blast and we will see you there!
Leticia Bufoni looking awesome in this video by Nike. Women's skateboarding is heading into a new era for sure. Yeah!!
After weeks of sunny skies and hot temps, it looks like we are in for a winter storm here in Los Angeles. I know, I know, the rest of the country has been getting snow, and in some places, more then they wanted, but here in LA we are still high and dry on the storm front. With this incoming cold front it looks like even the local mountains will sees some snow. Fingers crossed.
In the meantime check out this Volcom Video of the women's team. Speaking of, we have a one on one interview with Volcom team rider Elena Hight coming up soon that we are stoked to share with you! Stay tuned and I hope you get some pow wherever you are.
Bottom photo Masurel / ASP
Pro surfer Stephanie Gilmore won her 6th world surfing championship yesterday at the Target Maui Pro. One more year like this and a win, and she ties Layne Beachley's record of 7. So rad! Congrats Stephanie!
Gorgeous video by Rayne with longboarder Marisa Nunez.
Photos Ian Logan & Cindy
Here's a few behind the scenes photos from the Dusters California x Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word video shoot this past weekend. It was a big shoot with an amazing crew. Huge thanks to everyone at Dwindle & Dusters for making this possible and to every single person on this crew who worked so hard all day long - much RESPECT!
The video will be out next month - can't wait to show it to you!
Crew:
Director: Nano Nobrega
Videoographer: Socrates Leal
Still photographers: Ryan Ashburn and Ian Logan
Hair & Make-up: Donna Gast
Production Coordination: Brida Brando
Styling: Cindy Whitehead
Tech Adviser: Jim Gray
Location: Ben & Kenzie
Skaters: Beverly Flood and Casssie Olguera
SELF Magazine has a really great feature on Leticia Bufoni today. Here's a sneak peek, you can read the rest on SELF magazine's website HERE
Skater Girls from Reverse Magazine on Vimeo.
It doesn't matter where you skate, what level you are at, or who you sakte with - just get out and SKATE.
Check out Tanja Angst, Nathalie Genetelli, Joani Ebersold, Denice Stoller, Julia Estrada, Salome Schärer, Elena Koenz, Lydia Gauss, Salome Fenn skating in Zurich.
Watch closely and you'll see pro skater & Nike team rider Leticia Bufoni, highlighted in this new video from Nike Design that's playing on the Fashion Channel. Does that mean that we will see Nike skateboard gear for girls sometime soon? Hmm...
Big shout out to my rad friend Adriana Cesar from Catch The Shine for the heads up! Check out Catch the Shine for awesome updates on what's going on in women's sports & apparel. xo
Back in the 70's "street skating" meant just that. We skated in the streets and alleys when the surf was flat and most of the time just because it was a lot of fun.
Great to run into Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word team rider Kyra Williams and skate buddy Hannah, doing the same here in the South Bay. #sidewalksurfing
EXPOSURE 2014 Amateur Recap from Amelia Brodka on Vimeo.
Check out this awesome video by Exposure Skate of the amateur bowl & vert contestants from the Exposure Skate contest!
Six year old Sky is back again with a really cute interview (in between ripping on the ramp). We really like when she is asked to describe herself in one word and she doesn't even hesitate before she blurts out "FUNNY"! Yeah you are Sky.
Oh, and her favorite trick is a boneless, but she also likes to slash grind and rock & roll. Keep shredding Sky - we can't wait to see what else you do. xx
Sick little SkateLife video edit with Leticia Bufoni. The footage in the beginning of her rail/stair jump will give you some Monday Motivation for sure!