Vanessa Balanced On and Off Her Skateboard

Above a video from Vanessa @asanavanessa she’s a Toronto yogini, so the weather doesn’t always cooperate with skateboarding.  However, when it does – what a view she has.

Skateboarding is all about balance so to me it’s rolling yoga.  Vanessa always looks so graceful.

In addition to inspiring you with poses and challenges, she shares amazing tips.

That overwhelming feeling when you know you’re doing all the right things, and the future is looking bright.. and then it sinks in.
The doubt. The fear. It all comes rushing back.

On days where the feelings are too much, I push it away and tell myself “you are strong, you are supported, and you are loved” ? Self doubt is a major downer, but when I find that little bit of confidence and that little push again, I take it and run with it! It powers me and fuels the energy I need to make it through these days.

So find a mantra that works for you when you’re down – even if everything is actually going right. It’s ok to feel sadness. Just don’t let it over take you, and embrace your power.

Vanessa is right, we all have doubt. It’s important to hear reminders that it’s normal and that it doesn’t have to stop us.  There’s plenty of times I have to tell myself “I can!”  So tell yourself you can and you’ll be on your way to making it happen on and off the skateboard.

How are you keeping it stylish on & off the board and where are you having skating adventures?  Hope you share soon because more girls skateboard when they see girls having fun skating and how the balance you learn from your board goes with you through life.

 

Skatemamis

@skatemamis is a

Skateboarding movement created to inspire more girls in the ?to practice skateboarding| Latinas|pompiaera!?goodvibes only| Made in PR???

I love to hear about movements like this. I also love when people find the fun in practice.  Getting good at anything takes practice and enjoying it makes it easier to keep going.

Hope you check them out soon on IG.

Ciales, Puerto Rico before Hurricane Maria 

More girls skateboard when they see girls having fun skating and encouraging each other, so please take the time to share your pictures and stories.

 

 

Skater Girls in Art

More girls skate when they see girls skateboarding, so I love when artists represent girls in skateboarding.

The artist is Noah Sturdevant @noahssturdevant . He’s a Graphic Design student at Full Sail University, who’s set to graduate this February.  The art was part of his school project and this is what he had to share on it.

I read that it’s part of a school project, how did you decide to incorporate girls skateboarding into your school project?  

This project was for school, and we were tasked to create an animated ad for a company, existing or of our own design. In this case, Mute Skateboarding Co, or what will likely end up being Mute Clothing Co., is a skate lifestyle brand that I would like to launch for women and girls. Starting a skate brand has been something I have wanted to do for several years now, so it was honestly the first thing that came to mind when we were told we could create an ad for any company of our own design.

Are you a skater?

It has been a long time since I have been on a skateboard, about 12 years or so, but used to ride one quite a bit in my early 20’s. Lately, as I have been reaching my mid 30’s though, I have felt that I need to get back on a board again, so my wife and I recently just bought new setups so we can get out and skate.

What inspired you to want an animated ad campaign of skatergirls?

There are a few different things that provided me with the inspiration to create this idea. My wife is also super into skating, and we always try to catch the women’s comps, parts, etc., but have noticed that there aren’t a lot of video parts, ads, or anything that really pushes the female skate movement like it should. That was the main spark of inspiration, just to create something that could help give women in skateboarding a “voice” or presence in the industry, and hopefully create some rad designs for shirts, boards, etc, that represent women in skating.

While researching and brainstorming ideas, we also came across Underexposed which has also been a huge inspiration for me. Amelia Brodka does an excellent job showing what challenges female skaters face, and it made me realize how much of a difference there is between men and women’s skating, which is just ridiculous in my opinion. There are also just so many rad female skaters out there, and I think it really just comes down to me feeling like they need to be seen and acknowledged more than they are currently.

There has definitely been a shift recently in the industry, like with Sammaria Brevard going to Enjoi, Nora Vasconcellos being put on Adidas, Leticia Bufoni going pro on Plan B, and of course Lacey Baker tearing up the SLS courses and dominating as the SLS champ, so I think the industry is starting to get it finally, but I still feel like there is a lot that can be done to really show how rad female skaters are.

What can you share about your plans for Mute Skateboarding – will it be more than a school project?  

Originally, I envisioned Mute as being an all-girl, full skate/deck company, but am starting to pivot that idea to a clothing and lifestyle brand for women and girls. The reason for this being that there is already a Mute board company out there, and I don’t feel that teams and deck companies should be exclusive like that. To me, it isn’t necessarily a win in the industry to have an all-girl team, but to have a team where guys and girls are just all equal as skaters.

At the same time, my goal with having a lifestyle brand for women and girls is to create something that is empowering, and will help get women and girls out on a skateboard. So, there is definitely an opportunity for an all-girl team, which would be sick, but that would just represent the clothing/lifestyle brand, and not a full deck brand. If I can get Mute off the ground, I would also love to start a deck company that would be all inclusive for everyone.

As far as any graphics are concerned, I really only have the animated ad put together so far, and those graphics would only be used for ads. Anything for decks, shirts, etc., I am hoping to get worked out over the next couple of months before I start my Master’s degree.

Is there a link to the animation?  

 I do have the full animation up on my current portfolio,

click above to watch or head over to Youtube below

The Youtube link is also for the final ad, which ended up being branded for Mute Clothing Co, and the three illustrations I created are all in that ad.

Only one of the illustrations was actually based off of a skater, and that is the one in the middle of the video, and the billboard ad (attached). That one is actually based off of a photo of Amelia Brodka from a Supergirl Skate Pro competition. For me, she was the ideal skater to use as inspiration for the ad, since she is doing so much with EXPOSURE Skate to get female skaters the recognition and exposure that they deserve.

What can you share about the process of vector drawing?  

Vector art is honestly just like any other form of drawing, in that it starts with an idea, research for inspiration, then moves to a sketch, and then the vector illustration is the final step. The main difference is just how you interact with the program, in this case Adobe Illustrator. Vector art is overall just more based on geometric shapes than other mediums, which helps give it a cleaner and sharper look. Most commonly vector art can be seen in designs for things like enamel pins and animation, so I do use it a little differently than other artists and designers, but I feel that it helps give my pieces a more unique style overall.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your project. Wishing you good luck on graduation and looking forward to seeing how you develop this further.

How are you sharing your love of skateboarding?  Hope you share your story soon!

 

 

 

 

Hyper Cheetah is Learning More Freestyle

@cheetahzita is learning more freestyle – I love how she smiles as she’s learning.  It’s no wonder I’ve blogged about her before and that she’s featured in commercials. Her smile and her skating is pure style.

Above she’s at Amphoe Muang Chant, Chai Nat, Thailand and below at an event in Mohinkao DH

What new things are you committed to learning this new year?  It’s always the right time to try something you’ve wanted to try.

Never be afraid of being a beginner.  We all start as beginners!

Hope you share soon because more girls skateboard when they see stylish girls having fun skating and they have friends to skate with!

 

GRRRLS* Skate Fest by GRRRLSCANSKATE

Above @dinedinges

Dancing around at @grrrlscanskate FEST. Didn’t do a lot of dancing this summer ? but this was an awesome weekend and so nice to meet all these new people ♥️ photo:@haakf

Check out @grrrlscanskate on IG to find out more.  They’re in Germany. Or check them out on Facebook by clicking below.

Where are you having fun skateboarding?  More girls skate when they see girls having fun skating and we encourage each other.

Thanks so much @dinedinges for sharing this awesome event with me.

 

A Skater Girl Event by Chase Barclay

More girls skate when they see girls having fun skateboarding and get encouragement.  Chase Barclay is doing both at her event on February 18th at the Rye Airfield Skatepark in New Hampshire.

There will be pizza, raffles, and Chase’s favorite, SKATEBOARDING!!!!

Chase wants to thank Stephanie LaVita and the event sponsors for helping make this event happen.

If you’re in the area, hope you check this event out & please share your pictures and stories of how you’re having fun skateboarding and encouraging others.

Video of Chase at Rye Airfield

 

Skate Rising January 2018

This month Skate Rising met and discussed how to turn the new year into a year of growth.

The girls heard from guests Beaver Fleming, Bridget Erin Gamble and friends on how the power of believing in yourself and thinking positively can affect growth.

Above Beaver Fleming

Instead of thinking I can’t do this think I can’t do this YET!

Above Bridget Erin Gamble from/founder Yoga for Skateboarders

We also talked about how failing the first time is okay and doesn’t mean you can’t do it, it means you need to try a different way.

After listening the girls got to make a growth journal. Each time they have a goal they will write it down and how they accomplished it, so when the year is over or they are having a hard day they can see all they have accomplished.

Then, we got down to business and hit the ramps.

We mastered kick turns,

Learned how to push,

Dropped in for the first time,

and practiced rolling in.

Plus most of all as Neal Mims said we made friends on & off the board.

Made some new friends @skaterising. Introduce yourself, say hi, build community. Skateboarding brings us together. What a great way to make new friends. Thanks to @thekelsays for all you do. #SkateRising#NealMimsSkateAcademy ??

Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers who make this wonderful event happen.  Plus thank you to all the parents, who bring and encourage their wonderful daughters.

Last but not least, thanks to everyone who brought socks for the homeless.  Each month Skate Rising has a service project and this months project was collecting socks for the homeless.

Socks are the #1 most requested clothing item at homeless shelters.

I learned that from Bombas who to date have given more than 5 million pairs of socks to the homeless!  They donate a pair for every pair sold.  The more we learn from each other, the more we all grow.

Pictures by Gavin Silberman

Till next time stay fashionable and have a positive mindset!

If you’re in the San Diego area be sure to check out Skate Rising the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Encinitas Community Park from 9am – 11am.  Or if you’re in the Phoenix, Arizona area check out Skate Rising Phoenix at 91 West Skate Park.

Babes Brigade Update

I first had the pleasure of blogging about Babes Brigade and interviewing their leader Stephanie Battieste back in December of 2015.

Under her leadership they’ve grown so much. This past December 10th they held a Babes Skate Jam at Skate Loft in Toronto, Canada.

From 4-10 pm they skated the park plus they offered lessons to girls ages 4-17 (4-6 pm) and women 17+ from 6-8pm.
click above to see recap video
I’m constantly inspired by how Babes Brigade skaters support all skater girls and welcome all girls to join them.  Below are three pictures by Brittany Farhat that capture the magic of the day.
Yes, that’s Stephanie sharing her love of skateboarding and inspiring girls to learn both skateboarding and self-confidence.  To find out more about Stephanie, you can check out her webpage. I think it’s amazing how she’s living her dream and combining her talents to create such a positive environment and opportunities for so many girls.
In addition to keeping up with Babes Brigade on social media, you can also find out all about them on their webpage.
What’s really amazing about the webpage is how the girls are both living their passion and creating the tomorrow they want.  When we take the time to encourage and help each other we all grow.
If you’re in the Toronto area (and a girl) you can check out their next event on January 21st.  Click below to register!

 

Till next time keep it stylish on & off the board by sharing kindness and please take a moment to share your skate stories here because

more girls skateboard when they see girls having fun skating and get encouragement!

Agenda Long Beach: January 2018

Agenda Long Beach celebrated their 15th year on January 4 – 6th.

While I celebrated being able to use my ID to get in for the first time!  However, I still got the under 18 wristband.

Across from the skating is where I caught up with H-Street.

I chatted with Tony Mag (T-Mag) and Monica Mag.  H-Street has a long and rich history which you can read here.  Plus I’m super excited for everything H-Street has planned, so be sure to follow them on IG for the latest and be on the look out for a book by Monica.

I also learned that old school boards are starting to make a come back. They’re selling like hot cakes at H-Street.

I was also excited to hear that two of my favorite brands are now collaborating.

Yup – Triple Eight and 187 Killer Pads are working together to keep you protected. Both of them are able to keep up with my changing likes in colors – I was feeling the yellow & of course they have yellow pads, plus 187 can customize anything you can dream up.

Fairdale is working to keep your skateboard protected.

I love how easy Fairdale’s Adjust a Rack makes it to take your skateboard anywhere with you.  Sometimes you need to go off pavement to find yourself – so a rack that secures your board is a must have.

What else might you need while biking and skateboarding?

A backpack!  Dora knew and Element have always known you need a trusty bag for all your adventures.

When Element decided to re-design their backpack line, they packed up the van, hit the highway, and headed to their favorite place on earth for some inspiration: Element Skate Camp.

A portion of the proceeds from every bag directly benefits Element’s camps and the programming that helps to communicate the natural world to the youth.

I especially love the patches – which you can choose to have on or apply yourself. Plus I love that so many of the styles in the Element Men’s collection are universal. It’s about as cold as it gets here in southern California – so it’s time to wear the flannels & wovens.

It’s also time for a jaunty jacket like the the one below from Element Women’s. As I write this post, it’s raining so now really is the time for a jacket with style & function.

It’s also time to clean your shoes.  I’ve never liked dirty shoes, but I’ve also never liked cleaning shoes until now.

Before Agenda I read up on Sneaker Lab.  The holidays came early for me when I got a pair of white adidas Matchcourt High RX but unfortunately the dirt came soon after. With hope in my heart, I headed to the Sneaker Lab booth.

The cleaning wipes worked phenomenally.  The best part is the entire line of Sneaker Lab products are eco-friendly – bacteria is actually cleaning your shoes!

Just this morning, my dad said

Those wipes really work!

In addition to wipes there’s protector solution, odor eliminator, and more.  Sneaker Lab makes it easy to keep a New Year’s resolution of clean shoes. It also saves money from buying new shoes because it keeps your older ones looking new and fresh.

My real New Year’s Resolution is to spend more time with my brother.

Agenda wore him out but he was revived when he found out that if you’ve attended an event at the Long Beach Convention Center you get into the Aquarium of the Pacific (which is less than 10 minute walk) at a discounted price.

What revives you?  Follow your passions and inspire others to follow theirs.

Till next time – keep it stylish on & off the board.

Matrix Clothing collaboration with Mountain Dew

Plus be ready when Agenda returns to Long Beach in the summer with the Dew Tour.