THE SKATE BOARD ASSOCIATION (SBA) ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF FIRST-EVER PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE

Co-Founded by NBA Champion Gary Payton II, Sheldon Lewis, and Royce Campbell, SBA Introduces Equal Pay, First-Ever True Co-Ed Professional Skateboarding to the Global Stage

Info via PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Skate Board Association (SBA) today announced the launch of the world's first co-ed, equal-pay professional skateboarding league, a groundbreaking initiative set to transform global sports, youth culture, and innovation. Co-founded by Sheldon Lewis, Royce Campbell, and NBA Champion Gary Payton II, the SBA reimagines what it means to be a professional sports organization, blending performance, immersive technology, and cultural relevance with a focus on equity, community, inclusivity, and storytelling.

Gary Payton II is not only a co-founder and investor, but also the league's first official team owner. Additional owners include Professional Brazilian skateboarder, Pamela Rosa, American professional skateboarder and model, Robert Neal, skateboard Olympian and musician, Samarria Brevard and legendary Puerto Rican professional skateboarder, Manny Santiago.

Big Bear will serve as the home of the SBA's flagship arena, training complex, and media hub. Additional launch partners include SBA's official recovery device partner Hyperice, a leader in recovery technology, and HYPERVSN, a London-based technology company bringing cutting-edge visuals to the league.

"As someone who's dedicated my life to sports, I know the power they have to inspire, unite, and transform communities. Skateboarding has always been a culture of creativity and resilience, and the SBA represents a new era where that culture is elevated onto a global stage. I'm proud to stand next to Sheldon Lewis and Royce Campbell as a co-founder, and team owner within the SBA because this league isn't just about competition, it's about opportunity, innovation, and giving the next generation of athletes a platform to shine," said Gary Payton II, Co-Founder, SBA.

The SBA isn't just launching a league, it's activating a global movement in sport, storytelling, and cultural equity. With year-round programming across SBA seasons, media, and commerce, Big Bear will serve as the global headquarters and creative playground for the SBA's mission to elevate skateboarding as a true professional sport while honoring its grassroots foundation.

"The SBA is about more than launching a league, it's about building a cultural movement that gives skateboarding the platform it deserves on the world stage," said Sheldon Lewis, Co-Founder, SBA.  "We're creating a space where athletes, brands, and fans can come together to shape the future of the sport," said Royce Campbell, Co-Founder, SBA.

The first-ever SBA Draft will take place in late Q4 2025, with the inaugural six-month season set to begin in spring 2026. The league in 2026 will feature 36 Skateboarding Athletes, (men and women). Annual Draft salaries are set to reach a six-figure guarantee, with equal pay for both men and women athletes.

The following 18 athletes are slated for the 2026 draft, with 18 slots still open to round out each of the remaining teams. Christiana Means, Pamela Rosa, Kylie Frank, Gabriela Mazetto, Isabelly Avila, Carlos Ribeiro, Dave Bachinsky, David Reyes, Robert Neal, Keelan Dadd, Micky Papa, Dashawn Jordan, Boo Johnson, Julian Agliardi, Leo Romero, Kevin Hoefler, Manny Santiago, Ryan Decenzo.

The SBA invites brands, innovators, and visionaries to join as founding partners of the first-true professional skateboarding league built for skateboarding, cultural relevance and generational global impact.

For more information, visit www.skateboardassociation.org and follow on Instagram at @skateboardassociation.

About the Skate Board Association (SBA)
The Skate Board Association (SBA) is the world's first professional skateboarding league built at the intersection of sport, culture, and innovation. Founded by Sheldon Lewis, Royce Campbell, and Gary Payton II, the SBA is redefining what it means to be a modern sports organization — merging world-class talent with immersive technology, media storytelling, and community engagement. With Big Bear, California as its flagship destination and year-round hub, the SBA is creating a global platform for elite athletes, cultural creators, and visionary brands to shape the future of skateboarding and youth sports. The SBA's inaugural season launches in Spring 2026.

Mizuho Hasegawa - Photo via Rockstar Energy / Durso

The Women’s Park Final started the day with an electric heat with Sky Brown, Bryce Wettstein and Mizuho Hasegawa upping the ante with every run. After the second round of runs, Bryce Wettstein and Sky Brown sat atop the leaderboard. However, last year’s champion Mizuho Hasegawa saved her best for the final run of the contest to jump from third to first place. Her unique line included a kickflip Indy over the hip and went alley oop to nosegrind on the vert wall and a crowd-pleasing stall on the Rockstar Energy logo feature. As Sky and Bryce lifted her onto their shoulders to celebrate, Mizuho yelled, “I’m so happy!”

Women’s podium - Photo via Rockstar Energy / Durso

Women’s Park Final Results

1. Mizuho Hasegawa (JPN) 86.20

2. Sky Brown (GBR) 84.66

3. Bryce Wettstein (USA) 82.00

4. Heili Sirvio (FIN) 77.00

5. Ruby Lilley (USA) 76.83

6. Lilly Erickson (USA) 76.83

7. Minna Stess (USA) 75.50

8. Hinano Kusaki (JPN) 74.33

9. Jordan Santana (USA) 73.00

10. Lady Meek (USA) 70.83

11. Yurin Fujii (JPN) 65.00

12. Aaliyah Wilson (AUS) 63.00

Coco Yoshizawa - Photo via Rockstar Energy / Ballard

Women’s Street Final

The Women’s Street Final saw a Japanese podium sweep led by Coco Yoshizawa. Ibuki Matsumoto laid down a heater in her first run to take the top spot ahead of the rest of the field by more than 10 points. But on her final run, Coco landed a run that included a kickflip frontside boardslide the handrail, gap to back 50-50 on the bump to hubba, backside tailslide on step-up wedge ledge, backside lipslide flatbar, frontside bluntslide the flat bar, 360 flip up the step-up and a bigflip frontside boardslide the handrail to take the win. Twelve-year old Mei Oseki, who was a VQS competitor in 2024, took the third place win. 

“I couldn’t land all the tricks I wanted to in practice, so I wasn’t expecting to win the competition. I had so much fun and I’m super happy I was able to pull it off,” said Coco Yoshizawa 

Women’s Street Podium - Photo via Rockstar Energy / Ortiz

Women’s Street Final Results

1. Coco Yoshizawa (JPN) 92.46

2. Ibuki Matsumoto (JPN) 90.66

3. Mei Ozeki (JPN) 81.33

4. Aoi Fukada (JPN) 76.63

5. Paige Heyn (USA) 75.00

6. Niko Sugimoto (JPN) 72.66

7. Yuri Ashizawa (JPN) 65.50

8. Secret Lynn (USA) 53.66

9. Meagan Guy (USA) 48.66

10. Valentina Petric (CHI) 41.50

Photo Ian Logan

We met Emma like a lot of meet-ups happen in Los Angeles - online. Instagram to be exact. We were intrigued by the fact that in a world full of bowl, park, vert and street skaters, Emma was doing freestyle. Not just doing it, but excelling at it, rapidly. Later we invited her to a skate jam we were helping throw, and even with her packed college schedule, she showed up (by herself) ready to skate and have fun. From there, we encouraged her to enter the US Open of Freestyle and she did, overcoming fears, and getting out there and skating in front of a crowd. Emma is a FORCE.

From her welcoming attitude and her huge smile, letting everyone know she is having a blast on her board, Emma is someone you will want to get to know - so please enjoy our interview with recent UCLA Grad and skateboarder, Emma Houlihan!

Name: Emma Houlihan

 Age: 22 years old

 Home: Newbury Massachusetts, a small coastal town just north of Boston.

 How long have you been skating? A little over 4 years

 What type of skateboarding do you do? I love all styles of skateboarding but I gravitate most towards freestyle. I love to combine freestyle with street, approaching it like a dance :)

Photo Ian Logan

 What got you into skateboarding? There was an after-school program at my high school, and our photography teacher, Max Nagel, just so happened to be a sponsored skater. The school had converted an old parking lot into a DIY skate space with quarter pipes and rails. I’d always been drawn to skateboarding but never had the confidence to try—or anyone willing to teach me. Getting such a warm welcome from Mr. Nagel changed everything. He helped me embrace the beginner kookiness and lean into the learning process. From the moment I stepped on a board, I was hooked. I’d practice late at night in empty parking lots and skate to school in the mornings. I’ve been on the board ever since.

 We know you came to So Cal and attended UCLA. Did being in California influence you as a skater?Absolutely, so much. LA has such a vibrant and inspiring skate scene. Skating at historic spots, meeting incredibly creative and passionate people… it really changed the game for me. You’ve got every kind of skater out here…people who’ve been skating their whole lives, pros at the skatepark, and folks with the most unique, artistic approaches to skating. Being surrounded by all of that energy pushed me to really step up my own game and get consistent. I started to see skating not just as a side hobby, but as something I could actually pursue seriously. And the momentum around women’s skateboarding in LA was especially exciting, it felt like I was part of something bigger.

Photo Julia Steinhouse

You also ran a skateboard club while at UCLA – how did that come about, and can you tell us what the club did together? The club originally started with a group of friends, and I was invited to the first session through an Instagram chat of UCLA skaters (maybe about 20 people at the time). I was one of only two girls there, and while I thought it was so epic what they were doing, I honestly felt like an outsider. Nobody said hi to me or even acknowledged me for the first fifteen minutes the first sesh. I just remember having this lump in my throat like I wanted to cry. But at the same time, I was amazed. I could see the potential, how special this could really be.

I was buzzing with ideas about events we could do and ways to bring people together. I kept going up to the guys leading it, offering to help however I could and pitching ideas constantly. I really shared their vision of a thriving skate community at UCLA and wanted to help in any way I could.

So, I started small. I made a group chat of girls and literally chased down every girl I saw on campus with a skateboard. At first, I felt awkward and nervous doing it, but I pushed through my discomfort. Eventually, I made it a habit to talk to anyone and everyone about skate club. What started as a small chat grew to over 150 girls by the end of my senior year.

We’d do skatepark trips, share tips, and cheer each other on (often it was girls’ first time ever setting foot in a skatepark!) We got them dropping in, doing rock to fakies, and pumping around. Through this involvement, I helped the club lead our first skate jam where we gave away prizes and equipment to help people keep skating. It felt like such a huge milestone.

The jams became a regular thing. One time, we even had a live band playing on the roof. We did potlucks, crafts, girls’ skate sessions, beginner nights… I once taught over 70 people in one night without a megaphone (which really tested my public speaking skills, hahah).

Photo Julia Steinhouse

The biggest impact I wanted to have was making it a truly welcoming place for everyone, no matter their skill level. Not just saying “all are welcome” but showing it. We greet every person with a smile and introduce them to others. We grew so much because of that intention, and people would tell me they felt welcomed and that the club didn’t feel intimidating at all. That meant everything.

We even collaborated with Nike SB, which led to me organizing a women’s skate event at the Primitive Skatepark—getting to invite and connect with women I had looked up to forever in the LA skate scene.

One of my proudest moments helping the club throw a full-on block party in Westwood. We had a live DJ, a student flea market, a graffiti artist, an art gallery, and live skating—all celebrating mental health awareness and the skate community. I really had to treat it like a full-time job: early mornings at the coffee shop sending emails, writing grant proposals, and going to meetings to pitch the vision. I had an amazing team of student leaders alongside me, and I learned how to rely on my people—how to lead by pushing others into their own passions and potential.

Being part of skate club helped me grow so much. I learned how to build community, connect with others, share my passion, and actually see what’s possible when people work together. The club has grown so much and is absolutely thriving now. I can’t wait to see how the next group of leaders make it their own!

Emma at UCLA - Photo Julia Steinhouse

What degree did you graduate with from UCLA? I graduated with a degree in sociology. It has entirely changed my perspective on the world, helping me to better understand people and society.

What is it that you like or enjoy most about skateboarding? Connecting with the community. There are so many different ways to skate, and I love watching how everyone brings their own style to it. People from all backgrounds and ages come together through skating, and I’ve found it to be an incredibly meaningful and transformative way to connect with others. I love organizing events that get people excited to skate, get involved, and give back. When I started out, I didn’t have a skate crew—and yeah, it takes time to find one—but now I really enjoy being the person who brings others in with open arms.

Emma at the Paliskate Fire Relief Jam - Photo Ian Logan

Who are your favorite people to skate with? There’s something really special about skating with other women. I often forget how male-dominated skateboarding still is… until I find myself at the park some nights as the only girl there. While I do love skating with the guys, it can sometimes feel isolating. I have to push myself not to shrink, to bring my full personality into the space, and not tone down my femininity just to fit in. And that’s not always easy.

The women I skate with approach skating in such a unique, light, and playful way. They help me take it less seriously, to fall and get back up without judgment. They’re incredibly supportive and make me feel strong.  I also love skating with women who challenge and push me. That healthy competition helps me grow and take things even further. We lift each other up while still pushing each other to level up, and that’s the kind of environment where I thrive.

 We’ve seen you skate with Andy Anderson – how was that? Ummm…maybe the highlight of my whole life!! Kidding. (or am i?)  Andy Anderson is one of my favorite skaters, someone I look up to for his creativity and even more importantly kindness. He really represents a lot of nontraditional skaters who are pushing boundaries and doing things their own way, which is something I deeply admire.

 We met during a group skate I was co-hosting with GirlSwirl, LMU Shred Sisters, and Skate Club UCLA (which in itself was a huge honor as GirlSwirl was a big influence on my skating journey and helped me meet some of my first female skate friends). Val, one of GirlSwirl’s riders, introduced me to Andy and I was like… okay, this is my moment!

 We were skating curbs, and I did a 540 revert near him, and he goes, “Whoa! I’ve never seen anyone do that before,” and asked me to teach him. We ended up spending like an hour exchanging tricks, and honestly I surprised myself with my ability to keep up! We even filmed a line together where we jumped up a curb on one foot—it was so silly but surprisingly super hard. I learned so many new tricks that night and it was just one of those magical sessions I’ll never forget.

 Favorite places to skate in and around Los Angeles? UCLA’s campus, Courthouse, Pedlow, Venice, and the Cove on adult nights!

Photo Ian Logan

 You skate freestyle, which is unusual, and we love seeing it!  What made you choose that direction? It honestly just came natural to me, it was the way my body wanted to move. I’d listen to music while skating and found myself timing my movements to the beat, almost like I was dancing. I’ve always loved to dance (especially solo dance parties in my bedroom at night!), and skating became another way to feel connected to my body, to express myself, and release energy. Freestyle lets me skate how I want to without rules, and really tap into the creative flow.

 You are known for your powerful and gorgeous 360-degree slides – what inspired you to start doing them? I learned how to do a revert and then would do them quite obsessively. I’d do them frontside, backside, over and over again. One day, a friend suggested I try looping them together into a full 360 spin. That little nudge out of my comfort zone made all the difference. From there, I started spinning all the time. It made skating feel way more fluid and feminine. Eventually, I realized I could add more rotations, landing 540s and then 720s. I especially love doing them downhill… it’s like skiing, being able to carve and control your momentum. It just feels so free!

 You entered the Freestyle Championships recently in Venice – tell us a little about your first big contest! (super proud of you for entering!) Thank you so much!! This was a really big deal for me. Honestly, I was super intimidated and almost didn’t enter because of imposter syndrome. That’s something I’ve struggled with in life and school—like many women, I think, we’re not always taught to recognize our own power and potential. When I saw the entry had closed online, my heart sank, and that’s when I realized how badly I wanted to be part of it. I emailed them on a whim, and thankfully, there was still space!

I practiced for hours leading up to it, even though my hip was injured I pushed through the pain. At the time, I was skating on these super tiny wheels that were worn down from all my powerslides and spins, which made it way harder. And the night before the competition, I took a gnarly slam from hitting a flat spot. That morning, I raced to the skate shop to swap out my wheels and only had about 30 minutes to feel them out before it was go time.

I knew adrenaline would be my friend, and I just tried to have fun with it. It was nerve-wracking but so exciting—a perfect way to get the competition jitters out. I skated to I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor…my underdog anthem. It was disco, sassy, fun, and totally amped me up.

When I messed up a trick, my legs got super shaky. I had to take a deep breath, reset, and refocus on the rest of the run. And when I fell, I just laughed and smiled, reminding myself this was supposed to be for me, for fun. Imperfection is part of the process. I really tried to take up space out there and I threw in some big 540 revert spins and just went for it. I ended up landing two of my hail-mary tricks I’d thrown in last-minute.

I got to meet so many amazing skaters, many of them really young, which is soooo exciting for the future of skating. I learned a ton of new tricks and—shockingly—placed second in the rookie division!! That was huge for me. It taught me to push through my self-doubt and not count myself out before I even try. The point was to challenge myself and get outside of my comfort zone, and I’m really proud that I did. Half the battle was just showing up :)

 Any specific tricks that you want to learn this summer? It’s a huge goal of mine to learn to tre-flip this year!

 How is the East Coast skate scene where you live? I love skating at home. The skate scene is small but mighty and I’m a part of a big group chat of women that all meet up and go to different parks together around Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. It’s quite hot & humid in the summer so I like to skate at night with friends :) The community here is strong and has got grit. It’s cool to see the difference in style compared to the west coast.

 Can we expect you back out here on the West Coast anytime soon? Yes!! I'm applying for jobs right now and plan on moving back once I find one, hopefully early fall.

Photo Ian Logan

 Are there any women out there doing remarkable things (such as skateboarding or business) that inspire & motivate you? Definitely! Grlswirl has had a huge impact on me—they were one of my first windows into women’s skateboarding and really showed me what a supportive and welcoming skate community could look like. Concrete Queenz is also doing incredible work, empowering young girls through skating and mentorship. I am also really inspired by skaters who blend their art with skating. Like Bryce Wettstein. It's really cool to see the way that she expresses her femininity through her clothing, art, and music in a way that feels really genuine. I think she is the ultimate cool girl and is a great example of someone who expresses themselves authentically, paving the way for others to do the same.

 Dream job? My dream job is with a company like Nike, Skate Like a Girl, GrlSwirl, or LA 28. I’d love to do something where I can work directly with athletes, and contribute to something bigger than myself. I’m especially passionate about doing something that brings together skaters, artists, and youth to build meaningful, community-rooted experiences. I would love to work on events, help with creative direction, and contribute to shifting the culture for women’s sports.

 Any favorite foods or healthy eating habits you can share when you are skating all day? What a wonderful question. Well first of all, hydration is essential. I like to make a DIY electrolyte drink lemon juice water and a little bit of salt to replenish myself on hot days. My go to pre or post skate snack is a big bowl of plain greek yogurt with granola, frozen fruit, chocolate chips, and chia seeds DRIZZLED in honey.

Favorite place you've ever skated? This is so difficult to answer!! My favorite park of all time is probably Lynch Family Skatepark in Boston, they just have everything there.

Dream place to skate? I’m looking forward to visiting NYC for a bit and skating there while I’m home… it’s a dream of mine to skate the Brooklyn Banks. I also want to skate across Europe… particularly Barcelona and Copenhagen. Being on a board feels like speaking a whole different language—it’s such a powerful way to connect with people. I’d love to meet and skate with some of my mutuals overseas who inspire me so much.

Favorite Trick? 540 frontside revert.

Photo Ian Logan

Skate Sponsors: I am flow for S1 Helmets & Rusty!

Three things you don't know about me:

 1.    I’m a writer and aspiring author. I love to write short stories, essays, and poetry.

2.   I did theater as a kid and love musicals… and can rap the entire soundtrack of Hamilton at any moment.

3.   I can unicycle and also pogo stick while jump-roping. When I was little I wanted to run away and join the circus… being a skater might be the closest I’ll get to that haha!

Any advice for girls out there who want to get into skateboarding? Learn to fall in love with the learning process. Skateboarding has always been—and will always be—about learning and pushing yourself just outside your comfort zone enough to really surprise yourself. That might mean showing up to the skatepark for the first time and simply riding around, or it could be landing a 540 in the bowl. It’s all about the personal challenge it brings and how it helps you grow more connected to yourself.

Failure is the key to all of it. Learn how to turn it into fuel…something to be proud of: proof that you showed up and gave it a shot. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, and celebrate your wins (and your slams!) as often as you can.

 What’s Next? I just finished writing my senior thesis on the Venice Skatepark, an ethnographic deep dive into the culture, gender dynamics, risk, and community that shape that space. It was such a meaningful project for me, and now I’m in the process of adapting it into a series of short essays that blend my personal skate journey with reflections on movement, identity, and what it means to carve out space as a woman in skateboarding. I’m hoping to publish them soon! Writing has always been a huge part of who I am, and it’s been really exciting to merge my love for skateboarding with storytelling.

 Make sure you follow Emma!

@Emmahouli on instagram

@skateclubucla on Instagram

Emma’s Website

Last Words of advice: Stay true to yourself! There is a place in the skateboarding world for you :)

We’re excited to share the full line-up of pro and emerging park and street skaters for the second annual Rockstar Energy Open that will be taking place at Waterfront Park in Downtown Portland this weekend!

The dates are locked: August 15-17, and so are the skaters. The Rockstar Energy Open returns to Portland, Oregon, at Waterfront Park for FREE once again, and this year’s lineup has only gotten better!

Find the 2025 event details and everything you need on ThePlatfrm.com under RSEO. The location, daily schedule, official live stream, live music, VIP access and info, plus highlights from 2024 are all available.

Saturday - Women’s Park Final 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM - WATCH IT HERE

SUNDAY - WOMEN’S STREET FINAL 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM - WATCH IT HERE

Can Aoi Uemura repeat her win in 2025? Only time will tell, but for now, we know she is confirmed. Nothing is certain, though. Secret Lynn will be returning to Portland and sure to send it, plus additions to the lineup such as Paige Heyn and Ibuki Matsumoto make this year’s event anything but a safe bet. Check out the current confirmed women below.

• Coco Yoshizawa

• Paige Heyn

• Ibuki Matsumoto

• Valentina Petric

• Secret Lynn

• Mei Ozeki

• Meagan Guy

Locked in to defend her title, Mizuho Hasegawa is confirmed for Portland along with 2024 third-place winner Yurin Fuji. But nothing is promised. Sky Brown will be joining the mix this year, as will X Games gold medalist Heili Sirvio, alongside other familiar ripping women. Read on below for the current list of women confirmed.

• Sky Brown

• Yurin Fujii

• Lilly Erickson

• Bryce Wettstein

• Ruby Lilley

• Heili Sirvio

• Hinano Kusaki

• Mizuho Hasegawa

• Jordan Santana

• Lady Meek

• Minna Stess

These women have thrown down on more than one occasion, earning career-best scores on some of street league's biggest stages. Relive top tricks landed by SLS Cleveland athletes, Chloe Covell, Coco Yoshizawa, Yumeka Oda and more!

We are so stoked to be able to watch not only the finals but the semi-finals from Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert , starting TODAY! There are so many women out there competing, including our team riders Anna Shea and Mia Kretzer! We will be cheering them on as they compete in the vert contest and best trick!

FRIDAY

Women’s Semi Finals Group 1

4 PM MT / 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET

Women’s Semi-Finals Group 2

5 PM MT / 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET

Legends Demo - includes Lizzie Armanto and Lyn-Z Adams-Hawkins Pastrana

7:05 PM MT / 6:05 PM PT / 9:05 PM ET

WATCH IT ALL LIVE ——-> HERE!

SATURDAY

Women’s Finals

3:00 PM MT / 2 PM PT / 5 PM ET

Women’s Best Trick

4:50 PM MT / 3:50 PM PT / 6:50 PM ET

WATCH IT ALL LIVE ——-> HERE!

WATCH IT LIVE HERE!

Please Vote For Team Rider Leiola Kahaku!

Lume Six is giving away four $500 grants to women athletes to support them in achieving their goals!

One of the women in the finals is our team rider Leiola!

The aim is to help women athletes pursue their 2025 goals with confidence and provide much needed financial support.

Support Women: Athletes will award $500 and Lume Six products to four recipients for the Summer 2025 season.

You can read more about the program HERE

The Support Women: Athletes grant series offers a financial boost to help women cross a finish line, summit a long-dreamed-of peak, or finally embark on an adventure they’ve always imagined. Submissions are open to women of all levels, from professionals to amateurs, who are chasing their athletic ambitions this summer.

Voting is open until July 18th, winners will be announced July 21st! 3 winners will be selected by Community voting, 1 will be selected by Lume Six. 

VOTE FOR LEIOLA KAHAKU HERE!

Tune in LIVE to the women’s events on Sunday, July 13th on Jackalope.co or via YouTube!

Known locally as “Nic and Gabs Bowl” this bowl is massive!

AN INTERVIEW WITH GABS BROWNFIELD

We originally met Gabs years ago during the Vans Girls Pool Party days. These were the days when there were not a ton of contests just for girls and women. Women from all over would come to compete and have fun. Gabs was always a favorite and a standout with her speed and style in the combi. Throughout her life she has always found ways to merge her love of skateboarding with family and community. From her wedding day, to building an insanely big bowl on her family property, to hosting a women’s skate weekend, so women from all over can come skate the bowl with her! Did we also mention she also comes from a skateboarding family?

Gabs personifies everything we love about skate community. Read on to hear more about her skateboarding history, her family, building that huge bowl and what’s next!

Hi Gabs! Thanks so much for doing this interview with us. A lot of people in the skate community know you and the bowl, but many don’t so let’s give them some insight!

When and where did you start skateboarding?
I grew up in Canton, OH and started skating in 2004

How old were you?
Well, the first skateboard I have ever had was when I was five, but didn’t really get into it until I turned eleven.

What attracted you to skateboarding?
My dad. He’s been skating on and off for forty years and was always building ramps so I’d tag along when he was working on them 

Gabs at Vans Girls Combi

How many times did you come out to California to skate Girls Combi ? BTW you ruled that pool!

Thanks! Three years.  From 2017-2019 I loved that bowl and grew up watching it on YouTube with my dad and always wanted to make it out there. 

Gabs and Nic

Tell us about your wedding, your skater husband and that pre-wedding photo shoot we love so much!
We did not get married on skateboards, but we did a doubles photo for our “save the dates.” We actually met about sixteen years ago, but he’s five years older so we just were friends who skated at my local skatepark a couple times a year. We didn’t see each other for like four years and we reconnected when I was twenty-one

When you decided to move outside of the city together - was it with the intention of building a huge bowl?
Actually no. We originally wanted to build a vert ramp because we didn’t have one closer than three hours away from us. We both agreed though, we enjoy round walls a lot more than back and forth. So that’s why we made the bowl the depth/amount of vert that we enjoy. 

Was the idea to build due of lack of places to skate where you lived? 

Yes. There is some transition around now, but at the time there wasn’t anything over like 8ft/9ft tall and not much vert. 

Can you tell us how the build was from concept through the actual finished bowl?
It was frustrating, rewarding, exhausting yet fun from start to finish. We saved for four to five years before we started building it in 2022.

Building “Nic and Gabs Bowl”

How long did it take and how much help did you guys have in making it happen?
It took about ten and a half months to build. We did it ourselves - if we paid a company it would have been done sooner. 

Dad and I worked on it just about every day, then my husband Nic, would help after work/weekends. So most days it was just two to three of us. We had a few work days where we invited friends to help which was awesome and so helpful. 

That is a massive project! Did you and your husband have prior ramp/bowl building experience?

We knew a bit here and there. My dad was the foreman of this project. He’s the reason we have what we have. That was mine and Nic’s first time building corners/hips. My dad taught himself on other bowls he’s done. 

We know by the photos that it is huge - can you share exactly how big it is?
It goes from 8ft to 11.5ft. There are 10ft transitions all around. The deep end has about a 1.5ft of vert. All pool block.

The finished bowl

Why do you think more people don't build vert ramps or bowls much anymore?

Time and cost I’d say, but also, I feel like it’s far in-between of people who know how to build corners or hips/big ramps with wood or concrete. That could also steer people away from taking on a project like that. 

How do you deal with wet winters and keeping the bowl from being ruined?

So, we ended up doing a lot to help keep this beauty around as long as we can. The year we started, we had all the plywood on but no final layer yet. Before winter hit, we put a coat of paint on to help a little. When it snowed, one of us shoveled at the bottom and we had a bucket so we would fill it up and dump the snow. We also water sealed it and used treated lumber for railings and such. Before we put the final layer on, we put Grace Ice and Water Shield under everything, as well as Tar paper. We strategically overlapped everything, that way it would help the water not penetrate the  plywood and to help make its way to the seams and then down to the drains. There are about nine drains total. Four that are 4in diameter and then on the flat bottom in certain areas, we drilled small holes in between the seams. It’s helped a lot. 

This bowl has every feature you could hope for!

What features did you make sure to include that you knew you'd want to skate?
The vert itself for sure. A pointy hip which is based off one I learned on growing up. The waterfall as well as the pool block because we don’t have enough places with it. 

What's the best part of having a bowl this size in your own backyard?
I guess one thing is, knowing how much hard work/time sweat and everything else that was put into this, is now being shared with friends and family who enjoy the bowl as much as we do. 

Gabs doing a nosepick in the bowl

So… what's next? Anything exciting you’d like to share?

Yes! I’m having a big skate jam at the house this year for women/trans/nonbinary. It’s for quad skaters and skateboarders. I invited people who enjoy transition as much as me. I didn’t want to do a contest. Most do not like them and I honestly understand. There is no pressure at all. So I wanted to just have a sesh and have fun with it. A safe space for all.  Some people are bringing art to sell. Some are camping in the yard and it’s about having a good weekend. There’s not a lot of events he Midwest, or they are so far in between, so most are friends coming are from nearby states. We are expecting 70-90 people that weekend!

Last thoughts?
I think the one thing is, we are not rich. We busted our butts saving. We started from saving change in a Vans shoe box and kept going. We found ways to cut down on cost and it was a beautiful experience to be able to build along side my dad and husband. I will cherish the time we had together on this project. I’m stoked to keep sharing it with people. 

X Games Women’s Vert - Photo Lauren Muller (Provided by X Games)

Arisa Trew - Photo Ballard (provided by X Games)

Women’s Skateboard Park Final - Friday, June 27, 2025

Women’s Park Podium - photo Jeff Zielinski (provided by X Games)

Finland’s Heili Sirvio Shines, Wins First X Games Gold at Just 14

The youngest competitor in the field, 14-year-old Heili Sirvio of Finland, made a massive statement in the Women’s Skateboard Park final—claiming her first-ever X Games gold medal. Adding to the bronze she earned at Chiba 2024, Sirvio now holds two X Games medals and a fast-rising reputation. Her second run which earned her the win with a score of 86 included many exciting tricks including backside and frontside 360s over the box, alley-oop frontside air over the hip, and more. “I feel really stoked,” Sirvio said, beaming. “I actually can’t believe it! This is so insane to me. These are all my best friends that I get to skate with, and it was a really fun time.”
 
Japan’s Cocona Hiraki, 16, brought her signature smooth, technical style to the park once again, securing her third silver medal in Salt Lake City with a score of 83.66. The two-time Olympic medalist now boasts five X Games medals over just eight appearances since her 2019 debut.

American fan favorite Bryce Wettstein, the veteran of the group at 21 years old, returned to the X Games podium for the first time since 2022. Wettstein’s joyful and expressive skating earned her a hard-fought bronze—her second—during her milestone 10th X Games, scoring 82.66.

Australia’s Arisa Trew, 15, came into the final with a chance to extend her jaw-dropping gold medal streak to five and claim her eighth gold overall. Despite a valiant effort, Trew finished sixth. But with two more events still ahead this weekend, she’s not out of the running to break the tie for most women’s gold medals in X Games summer history—or to add even more hardware to her name.

Women’s Vert and Street Results - Saturday, June 28, 2025

Women’s Vert Final Podium - Photo Durso (provided by X Games)

Women’s Skateboard Vert Final - Hasegawa Takes First Gold, Snapping Trew’s Golden Run

Mizuho Hasegawa entered X Games Salt Lake City with three silver medals—and left with her first gold. The 14-year-old from Japan broke through with a flawless final run, ending Arisa Trew’s golden streak. Opening with a stylish judo 540, Hasegawa kept the momentum going with standout tricks like a kickflip Indy and a fakie nose grab 360 to earn a 91.66 and the top spot on the podium. “I was so happy to see the crowd was so excited for my run,” she said. “I had such a good time.” The win marks Hasegawa’s fourth career X Games medal—and her most meaningful yet.

Australia’s Arisa Trew, chasing her eighth gold medal, put together a strong final run to claim silver with a 90.00—her first time not topping the podium. The two-time Olympian landed a body varial 540 and a textbook kickflip Indy to pull herself up from sixth place. 

Germany’s Lilly Stoephasius earned bronze with an 82.00 in Run 1, highlighted by a finger flip Lien to tail and a clean backside noseblunt to Indy grab-in—marking her first X Games medal.
 

Women’s Street Final Podium - Photo Durso (provided by X Games)

Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street - Covell Nails Longest Winning Streak in Women’s Skateboard Street History

Chloe Covell (AUS) delivered another masterclass in street skating at X Games Salt Lake City 2025, claiming her fourth career gold and third straight win in the discipline. The 15-year-old Aussie phenom posted a commanding 90.66 in Run 2, lacing together a technical and stylish line that included a kickflip frontside boardslide off the bump to bar, nollie kickflip over the bump to bump, and a frontside nosegrind down the handrail. With this win, Covell ties Elissa Steamer for the longest winning streak in Women’s Skateboard Street history. “I’m most proud of the back noseblunt,” Covell said. “The crowd gets behind me, which makes me skate my best and try my hardest. I’m having so much fun.”

Japan’s Yumeka Oda came out strong in Run 1 with an 88.33, landing a frontside bluntslide on the bank to bar and a clean kickflip backside 50-50 to secure silver—her fourth career X Games medal following a bronze at Ventura 2024. 

Rounding out the podium, 17-year-old Jessica Ready of New Zealand made the most of her surprise debut as an alternate, earning bronze with an impressive 83.66. Her standout tricks included a nollie frontside kickflip, a fakie Smith stall to kickflip out, and a smooth backside flip off the bank to flat.

Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick Podium - Photo Zielinski (provided by X Games)

Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick - Arisa Trew Makes History with Kickflip Body Varial 540

The Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick contest brought the heat in a 20-minute jam session, where skaters had multiple chances to land their most progressive tricks. Australian teen Arisa Trew, who had already earned silver in the Vert final earlier in the day, stunned the crowd by landing a kickflip body varial 540—becoming the only woman ever to land the trick in competition. She had pulled it off once in training, but doing it under pressure sealed the win and secured her eighth X Games gold medal—the most of any woman in X Games summer disciplines.

“I think it's really cool knowing I can inspire girls or just anyone in general to keep skateboarding or what they love doing in any sport is to accomplish something, said Trew. “Since I started, I’ve been skating with these girls–and we have the best time together!”

Japan’s Mizuho Hasegawa, who had topped the podium in the earlier Vert contest, swapped spots with Trew to earn silver. She delivered a stylish and difficult alley-oop varial kickflip Indy on her fourth attempt, reinforcing her reputation as one of the most technically gifted skaters on the scene.

Rounding out the podium, 12-year-old Canadian prodigy Reese Nelson continued to impress in her X Games rise. She earned bronze with a smooth switch kickflip to boardslide on her second attempt, proving that she’s not just the future of vert skating—she’s already making her mark.

Women’s Street Best Trick Results - Sunday, June 29, 2025

Women’s Street Best Trick Podium - Photo Durso (provided by X Games)

Chloe Covell - Photo Durso (provided by X Games)

Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street Best Trick Final - Covell Strikes Gold Yet Again

Chloe Covell continued her dominant run at X Games Salt Lake City 2025, claiming gold in the Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street Best Trick Final just one day after winning the Street Final. At only 15 years old, the Australian phenom added a second gold to her Salt Lake City haul—and fifth career X Games gold overall—bringing her total medal count to eight. Her winning trick: a technical frontside nosegrind nollie flip out down the handrail, backed by a long 50-50 grind to kickflip out on flat-down in Run 4. “I just put my everything into it and the crowd gave me energy to really commit to my trick,” Covell said after her win.

Thirteen-year-old Japanese rider Ibuki Matsumoto is on a roll, securing the silver medal with a clean kickflip backside lipslide in Run 1, later impressing judges again with a kickflip backside 50-50 grind in Run 6. This is Matsumoto’s second X Games medal this month–she won a bronze medal in the Women’s Skateboard Street event in Osaka last weekend. 

Fellow Japanese rider Yumeka Oda, known for her powerful, consistent skating, earned the bronze for her stylish kickflip frontside boardslide in Run 3, adding to her four other X Games medals, all earned in the past year.

Get ready because X Games Salt Lake City is almost here! So many women’s skate events are happening so we broke it down by how to watch each day and who is competing!

X Games is live all weekend June 27-29 from Salt Lake City! Watch your way–globally across Roku in the USA and YouTube Internationally.

You can also buy tickets HERE and see it up close and in person if you are near Salt Lake City!

SCHEDULE

Friday

Women’s Skateboard Park 1:00 PM PST

Saturday

Women’s Skateboard Vert - 12:15 PM PST

Women’s Skateboard Street - 3:00 PM PST

Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick - 5:00 PM PST

Sunday

Women’s Skateboard Street Best Trick 11AM PST

WOMEN’S SKATEBOARD VERT

Mizuho Hasegawa

Asahi Kaihara

Reese Nelson

Lilly Stoephasius

Arisa Trew

Raicca Ventura

Jada Ward

Bryce Wettstein

WOMEN’S SKATEBOARD VERT BEST TRICK

Mizuho Hasegawa

Asahi Kaihara

Reese Nelson

Lilly Stoephasius

Arisa Trew

Raicca Ventura

Jada Ward

Bryce Wettstein

WOMEN’S SKATEBOARD PARK

Lilly Erickson

Mizuho Hasegawa

Cocona Hiraki

Hinano Kusaki

Ruby Lilley

Heili Sirvio

Arisa Trew

Bryce Wettstein

WOMEN’S SKATEBOARD STREET

Liv Broder

Shiloh Catori

Chloe Covell

Paige Heyn

Miyu Ito

Ibuki Matsumoto

Yumeka Oda

Jessica Ready

WOMEN’S SKATEBOARD STREET BEST TRICK

Liv Broder

Shiloh Catori

Chloe Covell

Paige Heyn

Miyu Ito

Ibuki Matsumoto

Yumeka Oda

Jessica Ready

Athlete: Arisa Trew | Photo: Jason Halakyo / X Games Images

X Games Osaka Saturday Results

Osaka, Japan – June 21, 2025 – The start of back-to-back X Games events, X Games Osaka began today with six competitions from the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. The first day of events saw teenage skateboarders dominate the Vert and Street courses, and BMX riders putting on a show in the Park course. Japanese stars Rim Nakamura, Asahi Kaihara, Juno Matsuoka, Miyu Ito and Ibuki Matsumoto all shined on the first day in front of the hometown crowd.

Women’s Skateboard Vert Final
Women’s Skateboard Vert made its debut in Japan to open X Games Osaka on International Go Skateboarding Day. All eyes were on two-time defending Skateboard Vert gold medalist Arisa Trew as she dropped in with a chance to tie Leticia Bufoni’s record for most X Games women’s skateboard gold at six.
 
Arisa cruised into the final alongside Osaka locals Asahi Kaihara and Juno Matsuoka and Australian Mia Kretzer. Arisa’s second run included an Alley-oop flatspin 540, judo air, stalefish, backside 540, kickflip Indy, Madonna, Indy 360, switch McTwist, frontside Cab stalefish, nosegrind to fakie, half-Cab front noseslide for 86.77. Asahi and Juno rounded out the podium, each earning their second X Games medal.

Women’s Skateboard Street Final
 
In a field stacked with Japanese talent, it was Australian Chloe Covell who nailed a 90.00 with her first run of the final to earn her third X Games gold medal. At only 15 years old, Chloe has been unstoppable since Chiba 2024. Chloe’s winning run was highlighted by a kickflip manual on the 36-foot long plexiglass roof that made the crowd go wild.
 
Miyu Ito successfully defended her Chiba 2024 silver, staying podium perfect in her first three X Games appearances. And 13-year-old Ibuki Matsumoto stunned as she landed on the podium after being a late addition to the competition.

Results
 
Women’s Skateboard Vert
1. Arisa Trew (AUS)
2. Asahi Kaihara (JPN)
3. Juno Matsuoka (JPN)
4. Mia Kretzer (AUS)
5. Mizuho Hasegawa (JPN)
6. Lilly Stoephasius (GER)
7. Reese Nelson (CAN)
8. Raicca Ventura (BRA)

Women’s Skateboard Street
1. Chloe Covell (AUS)
2. Miyu Ito (JPN)
3. Ibuki Matsumoto (JPN)
4. Coco Yoshizawa (JPN)
5. Funa Nakayama (JPN)
6. Yumkea Oda (JPN)
7. Paige Heyn (USA)
8. Momiji Nishiya (JPN)

X Games Osaka Sunday Results

Osaka, Japan – June 22, 2025 – The second day of X Games Osaka 2025 saw an electrifying day of history-making competitions from the Kyocera Dome in Osaka. Arisa Trew and Gui Khury earned their second gold medals of the weekend, Courage Adams and Kairi Netsuke earned their first X Games gold and Tom Schaar earned a gold in his fourth unique discipline. 
 

Next we head to Salt Lake City for three days of Skateboard, BMX and Moto X competitions June 27 - 29.

Women’s Skateboard Park Final

The unstoppable Arisa Trew earned her second gold medal of the weekend and seventh overall gold medal with a dominant second run in the Park final. After tying Leticia Bufoni’s most gold medals for a female skateboarder, Arisa now owns that record and is tied with aggressive in-line legend Fabiola da Silva for the most gold of any female summer X athlete. 

Arisa’s run included a Backside air transfer from sushi dish feature into the bowl, Weddle air over hip, McTwist, frontside lipslide up the extension, kickflip Indy, frontside Smith grind, Madonna on center extension, backside air to fakie, switch backside air over box, frontside Cab stalefish, frontside nose grind to fakie, switch McTwist.

Japan’s Sakura Yosozumi earned a silver medal and Hinano Kusaki took home the bronze. 

Women’s Skateboard Park Results

1. Arisa Trew (AUS)

2. Sakura Yosozumi (JPN)

3. Hinano Kusaki (JPN)

4. Cocona Hiraki (JPN)

5. Sky Brown (GBR)

6. Bryce Wettstein (USA)

7. Lilly Erickson (USA)

8. Yurin Fuji (JPN)

Mazel Paris ~ Photo Ian Logan

Mayzie Feher ~ Photo Ian Logan

Mayzie and Mazel, Landon Weingartner ~ Photos Ian Logan

Briel Weingartner ~ Photo Ian Logan

HUGE NEWS!

Our Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word team riders are featured in ANYWAY Magazine with Mazel Paris on the cover!

“Meet five Southern California skateboarders who’ve mastered some rad tricks and solid life lessons - expressing themselves, being friendly to other kids, and refusing to give up”

ANYWAY Magazine is out now! ✔️
.
Featuring @mazelparis on the cover and interviews and photos of @mayzieshreds ✨ @brielsk8grl ✨Landon Weingartner ✨ Carl Lunkewitz and Mazel inside.
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Plus an important piece on how you can help support @paliskates after the LA fires and what @girlisnota4letterword is doing to shine a light on young girls in skateboarding 🛹
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Written by Jen Swetzoff ✨
Photography Ian Logan
Stylist Cindy Whitehead

Lilly Strachan Women’s Park Rockstar 2024 Portland ~ Photo Bryce Kanights

100+ Men’s and Women’s Top Pros and Emerging Talent to Energize Downtown Portland in Signature Park and Street Competitions, August 15-17 

Portland, Ore. (June 11, 2025) -The Rockstar Energy Open returns to Portland’s iconic Waterfront Park from August 15–17 for its second annual edition, with athlete invites officially announced today – alongside the launch of the second annual Video Qualifier Series (VQS). This innovative series offers up-and-coming skaters the opportunity to earn a coveted spot on the competition roster.  
 
Last year’s event attracted more than 25,000 fans, delivering an energetic, up-close experience that was completely free to attend. This year’s event will once again offer three days of elite skateboarding, two nights of live musical performances (lineup coming soon) and a vibrant festival atmosphere in the heart of Portland. 
 
Confirmed invited athletes include:  

• Lazer Crawford– Rockstar Energy athlete and defending Men’s Street champion 

• Yurin Fuji – Women’s Skateboard Park Best Trick champion and X Games medalist 

• Keegan Palmer – Two-time Olympic gold medalist in Men’s Park and Rockstar Energy athlete  

• Braden Hoban – Rockstar Energy athlete, came in third  last year in Men’s Street 

• Miyu Ito – Olympian, X Games Street gold and silver medalist 

• Tom Schaar– Olympic silver medalist and 14-time X Games medalist in Men’s Park 

• Bryce Wettstein – Two-time Olympian and X Games medalist in Women’s Park 

• Ruby Lilley – Olympian and X Games medalist in Women’s Park 

• More athletes to be announced soon 

 
The Video Qualifier Series (VQS) officially kicked off on June 2, inviting skaters to submit entries via ThePlatfrm.com. Over the course of seven weeks, 20 winners will be selected to compete live in Portland. Weekly cash prizes will be awarded for Best Video Part (Men’s/Women’s), Best Trick and Viewer’s Choice. Previous VQS standouts include Olympian Jake Ilardi, Portland native Alex Lobasyuk and Kylie Frank, the Jackalope Fest Street winner. Winners will be announced July 28 (Women) and July 29 (Men), judged by the same world-class panel evaluating the Rockstar Energy Open. Full submission details and official rules can be found at ThePlatfrm.com. 
 
"The Rockstar Energy Open was built in partnership with Rockstar Energy to spotlight not only the world’s top pros but also the next generation of skaters," said Kemp Curley, managing director, Platfrm. "Through the Video Qualifier Series, we’re able to bring amateurs and non-traditional contest skaters onto the same stage as invited pros—and the energy that results is truly unique. We are immensely proud of this event and what it represents." 
 
“Rockstar Energy has always been about fueling people’s passions and celebrating bold self-expression,” said Steve Mateus, Director of Sports Marketing at PepsiCo. “The Rockstar Energy Open captures that spirit, it’s a place where seasoned legends and rising stars can share the same stage, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.” 
 
The Rockstar Energy Open is free and open to the public, with VIP upgrade options available. In addition to competitions and live music, fans can explore local skate shops, food trucks, exclusive merch and sponsor activations – all in a dynamic, festival-style setting. The competitions will be livestreamed on ThePlatfrm.com and broadcast globally via Platfrm channels, ProSieben, FuelTV and more.  
 
Stay updated by visiting theplatfrm.com and rockstarenergyopen.com, and following @theplatfrm and @rockstarenergy on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X. 
 

Get ready to watch the women compete LIVE from X Games Japan in vert, street and park! After the past three years in Chiba, the X Games in Japan will now take place at Kyocera Dome in Osaka. The top women in the world will be battling it out for those coveted X Games medals!

We are cheering hard for our team rider Mia Kretzer who will be competing in women’s vert on Friday! Mia is the youngest X Games gold medalist in history and is sure to shine bright again this year!

FRIDAY 6/20

WOMEN’S VERT at 5:45 PM PST

Sky Brown

Mizuho Hasegawa

Asahi Kaihara

Mia Kretzer

Reese Nelson

Lilly Stoephasius

Arisa Trew

Raicca Ventura

WOMEN’S STREET at 8:25 PM PST

Chloe Covell

Paige Heyn

Miyu Ito

buki Matsumoto

Funa Nakayama

Momiji Nishiya

Yumeka Oda

Coco Yoshizawa

SATURDAY 6/21

WOMEN’S PARK at 9:25 PM PST

Sky Brown

Lilly Erickson

Yurin Fujii

Cocona Hiraki

Hinano Kusaki

Arisa Trew

Bryce Wettstein

Sakura Yosozumi

WATCH IT LIVE ——> HERE

Photos Ian Logan x Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word

The Westchester Skate Jam took place on Saturday, June 14 and kids and adults of all ages came out skate. With everything from beginner sessions, age brackets, girls/women time slots, and GOAT categories, every single skater had a great time! Medals were passed out for participation to the young ones and the GOAT top three places were awarded special medals as well. Prizes from our sponsors were also given out to those that competed.

It was really nice to have City Council woman, Traci Park, come out and celebrate this event with us - Traci was instrumental in helping get this event put on and we greatly appreciate her assistance!

Big shout out to Heidi Lemmon of Skatepark Association, the City of Los Angeles, LA Park and Recs, CD11, LA Strong Foundation and all our sponsors - we couldn’t do this without all of YOU!

Huge thanks to Bart Saric for announcing, and Steve Badillo for judging this one!

Sponsors Included: S1 Helmets, Anyway Magazine, Dogtown Skateboards, SunBum, Hosoi Skateboards, Bones, Powell Peralta, Riot Energy Tea, Venice Brand, OG213, Mini-Logo, Downhill Dogs, Hoodwood, Grind King and more!

What a great turnout of women and girls!

All Images by Ian Logan x Girl is NOT a 4 letter Word

The Paliskates Fire Relief Skate Jam that took place at Stoner Skate Plaza on Saturday, June 7, 2025 was a HUGE success! With dozens of sponsoring organizations, professional and amateur skateboarders, vendors, and good vibes it was an event to remember!

There were age divisions, games of skate, best trick skate jams, autograph signings from special pros and prizes ranging from cash to a week of Skate Camp. Every skater went home loaded up with goods from the wonderful sponsors.

This was a call to support your local skate shop event. Giving the skaters and kids an opportunity to connect with each other, their shop and the greater skate community. Top professional skaters and leading brands stepped up in solidarity with Paliskates—the nation's longest-running female-owned skate shop—to help ensure its future.

Event organizers include powerful female movers & shakers in the skating industry Heidi Lemmon of SPAI - Skate Park Association International); Cindy Whitehead, Sports stylist & Founder of Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word; and, Erica Simpson, founder of Paliskates.

Many sponsors, brands and organizations stepped up to throw support including:

Adidas, Etnies, The Skatepark Project, Exposure Skate, Vans New Balance, Polar Skate Co., S1 Helmets, Anyway Magazine, Dogtown Skateboards, LA Strong Foundation, SunBum, Primitive Skateboards, Disorder, Hosoi Skateboards, Bones, Powell Peralta, Riot Energy Tea, Venice Brand, OG213, Mini-Logo, Downhill Dogs, Legendary Foods, ST Tattoo, D’Pizza Spot, Hoodwood, Grind King and more!

Huge thanks to Bart Saric on for announcing, Bennett Harada spinning tunes, Steve Badillo for judging and all the skaters and vendors that came out and made the day so special!

Stay tuned for coverage in Coping Block Magazine’s 100th edition with photos by Chris Hooten!!!

You can support PALISKATES via their online website that has some of the rad merch you see here!

Brooke Benton

So many prizes!

Emma Houlihan and Dani Torres

When your skater friend Mazel is on the cover of a magazine!

Aoi Fukuda

DJ Bennett Harada spinning tunes for the skaters and the crowd

Kaylee Chenster

Bart Saric congratulating the skaters after a rad session

Kylie Frank

Coco Waldo

Steve Badillo and skaters

Emma Houlihan

Chika Konoe

Steve Badillo going over the rules for the skate jam

Parent assists are allowed!

Jaelyn Sedeno

Cindy Whitehead and WCMX’s Tracie Garacochea

intensity before the start

Goldie Waldo

Courtney Akita getting her spoils

Klara Kermoade

Briel Weingartner with some rad prizes

Courtney Akita

Dani Torres

Chika Konoe

Briel Weingartner

Paliskates Team Rider - Brooke Benton

Mizuho Hasegawa - Photo Lauren Brooke

We are so thrilled that we have epic photos by photographer Lauren Brooke from the women’s park event in Rome to share with you!

In case you didn’t catch the event live, (it was a nail biter!) the final standings were as follows:

WST WOMEN’S PARK ROME

Mizuho Hasegawa - 1st

Arisa trew - 2nd

Cocona Hiraki - 3rd

Arisa Trew - Photo Lauren Brooke

Cocona Hiraki - Photo Lauren Brooke

Isa and Dora - Photo Lauren Brooke

Lola Tambling- Photo Lauren Brooke

Minna Stess - Photo Lauren Brooke

Raicca Ventura - Photo Lauren Brooke

Sakura Yosozumi - Photo Lauren Brooke

Another free + fun event is coming up THIS weekend at Westchester Skatepark and we hope to see you there!

The Westchester Jam will feature a best trick contest, a GOAT contest, tons of prizes and more!

Westchester Skatepark - 200 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045

June 14th from 12 - 4 PM

It’s here! The start of the 2025 WST World Cup Rome Park event at Ostia Park!

There are 40 countries and 180 skaters competing at the first qualifier of the season. We know the seasoned pros will be holding on and charging hard, but we will also have our eye on the newer female skaters who either competed a bit last year (and got their feet wet) and those who are just starting this year and will be learning the ropes.

Thirty-two skaters will advance from the qualifier to the quarter-finals, where they will be joined by the eight pre-seeded skaters to make a field of 40. Only 16 will advance to the semi-finals, before the field is then cut in half (to 8 skaters) for the final.

Women's pre-seeded skaters

1. Cocona Hiraki (JPN)

2. Kusaki Hinano (JPN)

3. Raicca Ventura (BRA)

4. Naia Laso (ESP)

5. Arisa Trew (AUS)

6. Hasegawa Mizuho (JPN)

7. Yosozumi Sakura (JPN)

8. Minna Stess (USA)

We are cheering on our team riders MINNA STESS (USA) and MAZEL PARIS ALEGADO (PH)

The points standing and positioning will be very interesting to see when the weekend shakes out!

Only the semi-finals and Finals will be live-streamed and available on WORLDSKATE.TV and at Olympics.com

SEMI-FINALS - SATURDAY, JUNE 7

6:40 AM PST

FINALS - SUNDAY, JUNE 8

9:10 AM PST