I know everyone is busy and has tons of things to spend their money on. I’m just hoping you have a moment and a small donation for my favorite Y. The Clairemont YMCA Skate & Bike Park has always felt like home to me and so many other kids.

The Clairemont YMCA Skate & Bike Park exists because of the kindness and generosity of so many. Yes, there are more and more skateparks in San Diego and many are free, but this skate and bike park is supervised. Supervision may sound “baby” but it makes a difference especially when you’re young and just starting to skate.

When you fall at this park, there’s always someone there to help you up and give you advice on what to do next time. After all insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.

I hope you click below and give what you can. If you’re interested in seeing more of the park check out my past blog posts and video. This park makes a difference. This park is one of the reasons I was confident enough to apply for college and why I have the opportunity to go next year.

thanks

Unfortunately there were problems with permits so officially the January Skate Rising event in Encinitas was cancelled.

But permits or lack of permits can’t stop skaters from skating, so part of the crew still came out. A huge part had an awesome time.

Should you skateboard where it’s not allowed? That’s a topic for debate, but should you skateboard at a park with your friends? That answer should be YES!

The skills I’ve learned at Skate Rising events have gone far beyond board skills. I’ve learned how to ask for help and how to help others. Those are two skills that I use on and off the board. People weren’t made to live in isolation, to be our best selves we need others. When we learn from others and then pass on that learning, that’s when community thrives.

I hope the permit issues get resolved, but even if they don’t I’m committed to helping at future Skate Rising events.

Happy Belated New Year. My new year has been super busy. My manager at Urban Board Shop is off to China where he’s part of their Olympic Skateboarding Training Team, so I’m working a ton more hours.

The shop is in Bressi Ranch in Carlsbad, CA and you can check us out on line too. While I don’t take stats class till next term, I’m sure the probability of seeing me there in 2020 is greater than ever before. I love it because I enjoy helping others both in person and through on-line orders.

As for the dress in the picture, that was for my last winter formal of high school. 2020 will be filled with lasts and firsts as I leave high school and start college. Will I keep rolling around San Diego, roll north up the coast, roll across the country north or south? Wherever I roll I know I’ll be taking my love of skateboarding with me.

On December 14, 2019 the Skate Rising crew met up at the Encinitas Magdalena Ecke YMCA Skate Park.

In addition to the skateboarding the girls participated in building holiday baskets for the CRC (Community Resource Center). It’s easy to forget those in need when you’re bombarded with the holidays. That’s why it’s great to have a reminder and to know that the simplest acts can mean so much to others. Things I take for granted like socks and scrunchies are amazing gifts to others.

We also took time to write what we’re grateful for and turned it into a giant chain. Any day is a good day to express gratitude because what we focus on grows and when we focus on gratitude, we are more likely to be happy and share our happiness.

I’m truly grateful for Skate Rising, it’s a fabulous opportunity to meet girls within the community. Skateboarding is always fun but it tends to be more fun with others. Plus I love having the opportunity to get involved with community projects like the holiday baskets we built.

In keeping with this season’s theme of unique gifts, I was happy to find out about an opportunity in New Orleans.

As a writer I love a good story and Parisite Skatepark’s is both amazing and evolving.

“In 2010, New Orleans was a city of over 350,000 people with no official skateparks and few places for kids to exercise outside of team sports leagues. Unstructured recreation areas such as skateparks allow youth to build self-confidence as they creatively interact with their environment as well as with one another. With that in mind, a group of skaters got together and started a Do-It-Yourself skatepark at the intersection of Interstate 610 and Paris Avenue (hence the name ‘Paris Site’). Through time, strategic partnerships, and a series of state and local approvals, the grassroots public park has become New Orleans’s first official skatepark.” – source http://small.tulane.edu/project/parisite-skate-park/

Like any passion project building just continues and you can help them in several ways.

In honor of cyber Monday – consider buying or donating on line to a cause you believe in. When skateparks are built, skaters will come and opportunities for building self-confidence will abound.

What’s important to you in a skatepark community? I love to see one working together and inclusive.

Don’t just wish for a better tomorrow – build it today!

EXPOSURE invites you to check out all their amazing photos from EXPOSURE 2019 Open.

Seeing girls having fun skateboarding inspires other girls to try or keep skating so please check out the photos!

Thanks to EXPOSURE skate for organizing another wonderful opportunity for women to lift each other up. It’s truly empowering to see events for women run by women.

EXPOSURE Open 2019 was on November 2nd at the Vans Off The Wall Skatepark in Hungtington Beach California.

I’ve been guilty of hoarding. Yes, sometimes the closet gets filled with clothes I no longer wear. Which is wrong – wrong – wrong. Just because I’m not wearing it doesn’t mean it’s not right for someone else.

I’m lucky that my younger brother, Wyatt works at the local resale shop – the CRC. So it’s easy for me to pack up the clothes I no longer wear and donate them.

Now it’s just as easy for everyone. I’m not sure how long this program has been running, but I’m super excited to blog about it.

The next time you order something from Nordstrom, a gift for yourself or others, challenge yourself to fill the box (with something you’re no longer wearing) and send it back.

There’s a million reasons why you aren’t wearing something – it doesn’t fit, it’s not your color, it reminds you of a bad date, bla bla bla – whatever, let it go & do some good.

Click here to find out the details of this wonderful program Nordstrom has with Give Back Box. If you’re in certain areas you can donate directly at Nordstrom (not in San Diego yet).

It sounds simple and receiving a box is definitely a reminder of how lucky you are so take the next step and share the luck by donating what you’re not wearing.

Whether you give this way, or through your local community program, please take the time to remember that hoarding does not help you and letting go can help others.

This holiday season I want to challenge everyone to think beyond traditional or trendy gifts. I’m a huge supporter of shopping for unique gifts.

I’m also a huge supporter of buying gifts that give back. Note that none of the gifts I’ll be mentioning throughout the season are paid endorsements. If I’m blogging about a gift idea, it’s because I saw it and said WOW.

First up from Skateboards for Hope:

I like the look of decks on the wall, but I’m really liking the idea of skate deck masks on the wall.

Regardless of how you feel about skate deck masks, check out Skateboards for Hope.

I encourage girls to skateboard because the skills you learn on the board will help you off the board. But the truth is you need a board to skate. So, if you have the opportunity to help someone who otherwise would not have access to a board – well that’s an awesome gift.

Stay tuned for more gift ideas!

I am happy to report back from the Poseiden Foundation about their 11th annual Ladies Day at the Berrics event!

“Poseiden aims to teach youth to believe in themselves and to fulfill their dreams by creating life changing experiences through empowerment, love, and support [through skateboarding].”

For the competition part, the highlight of the event was the masters’ division “Bricks at the Berrics” contest and Adaptive Skate.

The adaptive skate contest was created so that a female on any type of wheels could participate. Alyssa Montenegro, from USA a Paralympic athlete, won the Adaptive Skate Best Trick.

Natalie Das, from USA in masters’ division, won “Bricks at The Berrics”,  Kaya Isa from Japan, an Olympic hopeful, won both Open Best Trick and Game of S.K.A.T.E., Margie Didal, from the Philippines another Olympic hopeful, won the 7-Stair Pro!

The day was ended with a Hippie Jump contest where FireFly jumped over 4’ high!

For more videos and pictures you can find Poseiden on Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo using @PoseidenFoundation.

You can also participate in Posiden’s events or the 2020 Ladies day at The Berrics by contacting: volunteer@poseiden.org.

For those of you who aren’t aware, national cat day is Tuesday, October 29th this year – aka TODAY. 

Luckily, I am the owner of the most beautiful cat in the world, Sushi Beal. 

She has been my inspiration for countless art projects, taken care of me when I’m sick, and even sat with me while I skate. 

Yes, that’s right. She sits with me while I skate… in the backyard. 

Her support means the world to me. Even though her act is small it is always remembered and appreciated. 

So, if you have a cat who preforms small acts or someone else in your life who does remember to say thank you!